NewHeights_Spring2011_ETN

EVC supports youth’s education, career goals...3

Crisis Services work with agencies to help youth...3

Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee

TEAM EFFORT YV staff, mother work together to create a home page 4

LEARN AND GROW Mother and daughter relearn making a life together page 5

Volunteers, donors and staff brighten holidays...6

Spring 2011

A message from

Johnson City Morristown Knoxville

Our director

Chattanooga

YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cookeville

Clarksville

Nashville Dickson Mike Bruns,

Following through to help ensure success

Paris

Dyersburg Jackson

Children, at some point, are left alone to experience success or

Memphis failure in

their endeavors. As adults, we have all felt the joy of being successful, and the reflection and regrouping and doubt that inevitably occur following failure.

But as adults, we are more equipped to cope with both.

Children in many cases are not. Many youth entering adulthood need the independence to pursue their interests and achieve their goals, but they also need the support of someone to let them know it’s OK to fail, to try again, to try doing it another way.

Youth Villages’ transitional living program is a great example of that support. As teens age out of foster care, they seek the privileges of adulthood. But there are also responsibilities, and many of these youth aren’t aware of their needs as adults: getting an apartment, enrolling in college, getting insurance and utilities turned on — getting a job. Transitional living specialists are that support for youth trying to make it on their own. As a complement, in East Tennessee Youth Villages also has an educational/vocational coordinator who works with youth on furthering their education and their careers.

EVC Abbie Currence works with area companies to locate potential employment sources for youth. She helps young people access such community resources as adult high schools, certificate programs, vocational programs, tutoring, job skills, internships, volunteer opportunities and other vocational programs. Young people in our TL program have a source for immediate resources and support in their TL specialist, and they also have a source for long-term support through the educational/vocational coordinator.

Your help and support mean these youth have a chance for long-term success. Thank you.

Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org

2

Chairman Jim Parrish, Vice Chairman Columbia Linden Paul Bower, Treasurer Jimmy Lackie, Secretary Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Joyce Broffitt Kenneth Campbell Lewis Holland Sr. John Hutchins Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Bryan Jordan Ken May Mark Medford Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Jennifer Queen Ronnie Randall Matthew Tarkenton David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO

CONTACT US Chattanooga 5741 Cornelison Road 6400 Building Chattanooga, TN 37411 phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880 Johnson City 3915 Bristol Hwy #101 Johnson City, TN 37601 phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550 Knoxville 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475 Knoxville, TN 37923 phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580 Morristown 225 West First North Street, Suite 302 Millennium Square Building Morristown, TN 37814 phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180

Program Success

(Z H UH[PVUHS SLHKLY PU [OL ÄLSK VM ILOH]PVYHS OLHS[O @V\[O =PSSHNLZ OHZ TLHZ\YLK outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

EAST TENNESSEE PROGRAM SUCCESS

EVC SUPPORTS YOUTH’S EDUCATION, CAREER GOALS Youth aging out of foster care in East Tennessee receive support and assistance to transition to independent living through Youth Villages’ transitional living program.

But what about supporting their educational and vocational goals? That’s where an educational/vocational coordinator comes in.

“In a variety of ways, the EVC complements the TL program,” said Abbie Currence, Youth Villages East Tennessee educational/vocational coordinator. “The TL specialist can focus on immediate needs of the youth as well as long-term skills, while the EVC can devote time to training for job- and education-specific needs.”

The EVC provides more one-on-one time for educa-

The graph above represents where children are one year after being discharged from Youth Villages’ programs, including residential treatment, group homes, foster care and/or intensive in-home services. Youth may receive multiple services while enrolled. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 56 percent.

SCS WORKS WITH FAMILY, AGENCIES TO HELP CHILD AND FAMILY Youth Villages’ Specialized Crisis Services was called by a mother to assess her child after the child told her he heard screaming.

This was the seventh assessment for the child’s auditory hallucinations.

The SCS counselor evaluated the reports of the hallucinations and provided evidence the child was using the incidents to get what he wanted. The child even acknowledged using reports of hallucinations to get desired outcomes and reported to the counselor that “no one had ever gotten him before” when he was confronted with falsifying his hallucinations.

The counselor worked with the mother and gave her specific interventions to use when the youth reported hallucinations or other problem behaviors.

The counselor then contacted the child’s therapist and

tion and employment for youth adjusting to independent living.

Currence has been an EVC since March 2009. She assists youth in TL by providing such community resources as adult high schools, certificate programs, tutoring, job skills, internships, volunteer opportunities and other vocational programs. In addition, Currence works within the community to nurture partnerships to assist young people with obtaining job skills and opportunities.

“We try to build relationships with receptive businesses,” Currence said. “The youth we serve are motivated and looking for employment opportunities, and they need a chance. They are eager to work.”

When businesses need to hire, they can contact their area Youth Villages EVC to find suitable candidates.

Cultivating relationships with area businesses and schools provides TL youth avenues to further their education and their careers, finding stability and independence. Awareness is key.

“Our young people want to go to school and care for their children,” Currence said. “They want the independence that comes with being employed or furthering their education. I look forward to more communities being aware of Youth Villages and what we do as well as how they can be more involved.”

continued on page 4 3

YV STAFF, MOTHER DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR FAMILY There was this turtle named Bobby that was rescued….

Chris saw it on the road, rescued it, and gave it to his mother one day during a visit. Chris was in foster care, and Angela, his mother, was working to prepare a home for her son.

The moment spoke volumes to Youth Villages family intervention specialists and foster care staff who recently reunited to tell the story of how Chris got to return home. For all of them, it was one of their most difficult cases.

“That moment showed me Chris wanted to give his mother a gift, something to take care of,” said Karen Keeter, Youth Villages family intervention specialist. “It also showed a level of trust.”

They shared memories of how Angela and Youth Villages’ staff worked together as she created a home for Chris, while a foster family did whatever was needed to help him and assist in reuniting the family. Chris celebrated his 13th birthday with his mother in their home.

“It was a real step-by-step process toward reunification,” said Stephanie Garcia, Youth Villages clinical super-

CRISIS SERVICES HELP FAMILY from page 3 Comprehensive Child and Family

Family Intervention Specialist Karen Keeter, far left, and other Morristown Youth Villages staff worked with Angela, center, to create a stable home for her son, Chris. Johnson City Youth Villages staff worked with Chris and a foster family to provide support. Now mother and son have been reunited. Pictured above, left to right, are Keeter, Chris, Adoption Specialist Kelly Mullins, Angela, Transitional Living Specialist Cheryl Stayner and Clinical Supervisor Stephanie Garcia.

visor. “But many of the steps in the

tles, what they ate or how to take care

process were difficult to complete.”

of him,” Angela said. “But it meant a

There was an exhaustive search for

lot to me.”

a water heater for a camper trailer.

At the time, Angela lived in a

Angela didn’t have a car, and got by

camper trailer near a lake. After

living with extended family or by doing

keeping Bobby for a time, she released

odd jobs. Then there was Bobby.

“I didn’t know anything about tur-

processed.

They agreed the child’s anxiety need-

continued on page 6

board with understanding that the reported hallucinations were goal-driven

ed to be a treatment focus rather than

and not genuine provided a critical

his reported auditory hallucinations.

shift in the focus of treatment for the

The treatment team discussed

child and family, with counselors using

Treatment worker to explain how the

planning for the family’s upcoming

treatment in the home rather than

child used reports of hallucinations for

transition from CCFT to Continuous

residential treatment.

payoff. They agreed the hallucinations

Treatment Team in-home services.

Because of the changing levels of

were not genuine. The CCFT worker

Action steps were put into place to

care, the family went through numer-

said she’d suspected this as well.

help ensure communication through

ous treatment providers.

Before Youth Villages’ SCS involvement, the child was originally referred

this transition of services.

The CCFT worker reported on sig-

Being able to work with all entities involved to coordinate a program to

to residential treatment. The SCS

nificant progress the family had made

benefit the child and the family proved

counselor formed a treatment team

since the SCS assessment and all par-

most effective and gave the child and

with an SCS supervisor, the child’s

ties agreed that residential treatment

family the best opportunity for a posi-

therapist and his CCFT worker. The

wasn’t appropriate.

tive outcome.

child’s case was openly discussed and 4

For this family, getting all parties on

FINDING THE COMMON BOND Mother and daughter couldn’t be more different. Over the years, it began to take its toll.

Amy is high-energy, always talking and moving. She’s independent, smart and curious as well, which

Mom, daughter work together

ing to their issues. But I saw a family.”

Amy was placed in foster care, so

it,” Rebekah said. “We worked on set-

Rebekah met a few times each week

ting structure and guidelines in the

with mother and daughter separately.

home that allowed Amy the freedom

She made a fast bond with both.

to pursue her interests, but still be a

“I was angry at the world, but it was

leads to being distracted easily. It

easy to talk to Rebekah,” Amy said.

makes sitting, listening and com-

“She supported my jewelry-making

municating a challenge. Amy’s in the

and wasn’t judgmental.”

11th grade now, and enjoys writing

to do, but I knew they could both do

Both mom and daughter needed

responsible, contributing member of the family.”

Intercept provides treatment to troubled children and families in their own homes at times convenient for the

and art. She

families.

creates bead

The pro-

necklaces and

gram serves a

bracelets, a

broad popula-

hobby that al-

tion of youth

lows her to focus

and special-

and become less

izes in helping

distracted.

families safely

Her mother,

maintain youth

Rhonda, is very

in their home

methodical and

environment.

deliberate. At

Intercept also

home caring for

focuses on

two daughters

reunification

and a fam-

of youth who

ily member left

are in a resi-

Rhonda with a

dential treat-

lot to do at the

ment or foster

end of the day,

home setting;

and the stress

counselors

load began to

are skilled at

fray the edges.

She couldn’t communicate

reuniting famiYouth Villages Family Intervention Specialist Rebekah Huggins, right, worked with Rhonda, left, and Amy to find common ground and create a stable home.

with Amy. As Rhonda withdrew, Amy began to act out more.

Amy experimented with drugs. She ran away from home. She yelled and threw things. She threatened to harm herself and others. On probation for

lies even when the child has been out of the

time to find their common bond.

Rhonda admits the time period was

home for an extended period.

Rebekah gradually re-introduced

a true low point for both of them. They

mother and daughter. The foster

weren’t talking – they were yelling.

family also helped. As a result, what

They had become distant.

only a few months before was a family

During the time Amy was in foster

living separately under one roof has

truancy, Amy was referred to Youth

care, Rhonda worked on preparing

Villages’ Intercept intensive in-home

herself and her home. Much of that

“My part was acknowledging who

services program.

meant letting her daughter be her-

Amy is and letting her be that,” Rhon-

“I saw a family who was under in-

changed for the better.

self and find her own way. But it also

da said. “But I also had to let Amy

tense pressure,” Family Intervention

meant Amy had to meet new require-

know that there are expectations. She

Specialist Rebekah Huggins said. “I

ments and follow rules at home.

saw that and we now communicate

also saw a lot of external things add-

“I knew the family had a lot of work

and listen to each other.”

5

YV IN THE COMMUNITY Trunk or Treat This past fall, staff at the Johnson City and Morristown offices hosted their first Halloween Trunk-or-Treat events.

Youth Villages Trunk-or-Treat offered a mix of outdoor fun with the safety and security of a central location; instead of going door-to-door, the children went trunk-to-trunk.

YV staff and volunteers from the East Tennessee State University Psychology Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi and Alpha Delta Pi helped more than 250 youth in John-

Holiday Heroes Throughout East Tennessee, Youth Villages helps more than 450 children and their families each day. Youth Villages’ Holiday Heroes program is designed to help ensure no child under Youth Villages’ care will go without presents to open for Christmas. It takes a combined effort of individuals and organizations willing to financially sponsor one or more children. This past Christmas, East Tennessee individuals and organizations donated time and gifts for more than 200 children who would not have otherwise had presents. Thanks to everyone involved for making this a success.

son City and more than 500 in Morristown.

raised money to support Youth Vil-

sponsored by Victory Communica-

lages’ TL program. As young adults

tions/Direct2DoorDeals.

ages 17-22 age out of foster care, the

Direct To Door A group of Youth Villages’ Johnson

As a result of the team’s efforts,

TL program assists their transition to

more than $300 was raised to support

independent living.

the TL program.

City staff and five of Youth Villages

The team and youth went door to

They repeated the day again Feb.

transitional living youth being helped

door handing out advertisements for

5 and will continue to raise more

out of the Johnson City office recently

local vendors. The charity event was

money to support the TL program.

REUNITING from page 4

stayed positive and I began to feel good about getting Chris back.”

Cheryl Stayner, Youth Vil-

good way.”

Chris participated in

gela began to trust herself.

She relied on support, but

school activities. He ran

also began to take initia-

on his school’s track team.

tive to move the process

the turtle. Angela methodi-

lages transitional living spe-

The foster parents drove

forward.

cally put things together

cialist, Karen and Stephanie

Chris to visits with his mom.

to get her son back home

helped Angela understand

Everyone worked together

she matched us,” Karen

– parenting classes, coordi-

the legal process toward

to re-join the family.

said. “Conversely, when she

nating rides for visits with

reunifying mother and son.

Chris, going to court, setting

They helped Angela find re-

plifies how Youth Villages

we were also committed to

up medical care, creating a

sources to assist her efforts.

can utilize its resources

help in any way we could.”

space for him – all geared

In the meantime, Adoption

through myriad services to

toward creating a stable

Specialist Kelly Mullins

help a family,” Karen said.

home. And Youth Villages

worked in Johnson City

“Mom was the chief, but it

family intervention special-

with Chris and his foster

also took the tireless efforts

Villages. It’s amazing how

ists were there to help.

parents.

“This case really exem-

“When we stepped up,

stepped up to do something,

Angela and Chris now live together in a nice home.

“I’m glad there’s a Youth

of our staff in Morristown

they came in and helped me

“They were good to me,”

and Johnson City and the

make a home,” Angela said.

Youth Villages helped,”

Chris said about his foster

Tennessee Department of

“I was given an opportunity

Angela said. “I was going

family. “They wanted me

Children’s Services to make

to grow and learn and expe-

through a lot of changes

to be happy, but they also

it happen.”

rience being a parent. I’m

and it wasn’t easy, but they

wanted me to leave – in a

“It was amazing how

6

Through the process, An-

enjoying it.”

JOIN OUR EFFORTS

Become a force for families

There are numerous ways to help.

Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to our programs.

Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the more than 450 children we help every day.

Please call or e-mail me to find out how to help.

Thinking of a planned gift?

There are as many different ways to support Youth Villages as there are needs for your support. If you are new to the concept of planned giving, please click Donate on www.YouthVillages.org and then go to the Planned Giving website for information on wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.

Gary Johnson

Resources there include definitions, wording for wills,

Development Manager 865-560-2075

stories of how instruments are created and much more.

You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to

gary.johnson@youthvillages.org

see what a planned gift would mean in your unique circumstances. For information, contact Gary Johnson at 865-560-2075 or e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org.

CONTRIBUTIONS ~ The following donors made gifts to Youth Villages between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. The board of directors and staff of Youth Villages gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful contributions. If you made a contribution during this time but it is not listed, please call the Youth Villages Development department at 865-580-2075.

YV Family Champion ($5,000-$9,999) First Tennessee Foundation

YV Champion for Children ($1,000-$4,999)

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YV Friend (Gifts up to $499)

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Thanks to our many supporters Gifts In Kind

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Holiday Heroes

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Ms. Stephanie Garcia 4Y HUK 4YZ . (U[OVU` .LSKLYTHU Good Samaritan Ms. Brandi Granoff Ms. Patricia Grisham Jamie Guertin /HTW[VU 0UU 4Z 4PJOLSSL /HYKPU 4Y HUK 4YZ 1VYKHU /H`ULZ 4Y HUK 4YZ 4H[[OL^ /LSSLY 4Y HUK 4YZ )PSS /LUY` 4Z 1LUUPMLY /VY[PU . ;\YULY /V^HYK 000 0/67 9LZ[H\YHU[ Ms. Melissa Jackson 4Z *OLSZLH 1VOUZVU 4Y HUK 4YZ .HY` 1VOUZVU 2-* *H[LYPUN Mr. Karl Kemmer Mr. Alan Kitts Ms. Kim Kitts Mr. Jim Kotsianas Ms. Kristen Laek 4Y +H]PK 3HU[a 4Z *H[OP 3H`ZVU Ms. Jennifer Logan 4Y HUK 4YZ *SH` 4J*V` Mr. and Mrs. Greg McGuire 4Z >OP[UL` 4J2LL 4Z /LH[OLY 4J2PUUL` 4Y HUK 4YZ 1VOU 4J2PUUL` 4PSSLUUP\T ;LJOUPJHS :LY]PJLZ 0UJ 4Y HUK 4YZ +H]PK 4PUJL` Ms. Alma Morris 5L^ 3PML 4PUPZ[YPLZ 4Z 1VS`UU 5L^OV\ZL Ms. Lisa Orient :HTP 7HYRLY HUK -YPLUKZ ¶ 7YH`LY Group 4Z 2H`L 7LHYTHU 4Y +H]PK 7LYY` 4Z +H^U 7OPSSPWZ

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7

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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

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New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Managing Editor: Gary Johnson Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org or call 865-560-2075 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective proNYHTZ HUK ZLY]PJLZ [V OLSW LTV[PVUHSS` [YV\ISLK JOPSKYLU HUK [OLPY MHTPSPLZ ;OL WYP]H[L UVUWYVÃ&#x201E;[ VYNHUPaH[PVU WYV]PKLZ a fully integrated continuum of services, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care and adoption, mentoring and a transitional living program for young adults aging out of foster care.