Johnson City has backpack heroes ... 7
Cody’s success the result of intense work ... 6
Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee
BRIGHT FUTURE Job, college and two children — Stephanie makes it work ... 4
A GRAND OPENING After adoption, family still fostering children ... 5
SCS collaborates to help teen through trauma ... 3
Fall 2012
A message from our director
Johnson City Morristown Knoxville Chattanooga
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clarksville
Cookeville Mike Bruns, Chairman Nashville Dickson Bryan Jordan, Vice Chairman
You believe children can be helped
Linden
Paris
For every success story we print, there are always more children whoDyersburg need help. From young children to teens entering adulthood, many go without Jackson the
guidance and mentoring they need to become productive. Children are forced Memphis to grow up at a young age, learning how to live in multiple homes, maybe suffering abuse and neglect, coping by using whatever behavior defends them the best. They lash out in anger, verbally and physically. Some harm themselves or disrupt classrooms. In some cases, they act out toward those who care for them most – leaving loved ones in despair. Many times, youth leaving foster care face further difficulty. Applications for jobs, school, insurance and homes are intimidating; they don’t know what to do. Compound that with the natural insecurity of many at that age, and you find a person who has to fight twice as hard to achieve simple things their peers and other adults may take for granted. You believe, as our staff and partner agencies do, that all children matter and
Columbia Jimmy
Lackie, Secretary Paul Bower, Treasurer Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Marietta Davis Judith Edge Nicholas R. Ehlen Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Karole Lloyd Mark Medford Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Ronnie Randall Pat Ritz Michael Rose Matthew Tarkenton Scotland Thede David Tyler Patrick Lawler, CEO
can be helped. No matter the age, the resiliency and determination of a child are extraordinary. Given the tools and support, their doubt and anxiety transforms into determination. They have goals. They have plans. Most important, they want to be somebody. Your support makes that change happen. You help a young mother go to college. You help a young boy with a serious history learn to succeed in school and Boy Scouts. You help create homes for children who need them. These aren’t just stories in this newsletter – they are real children who now have a chance for a bright future. They are safe, happy and on a journey where they get to determine what they want to do and who they want to be. Your support means we can reach more children and create more futures. Thank you for making that possible.
Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org 2 New Heights
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 As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994. *82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.
STATE PROGRAM SUCCESS
COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION HELP TEEN THROUGH DIFFICULT TIME Earlier this year, a young girl in East Tennessee found
Outcomes
her father dead from an apparent drug overdose. The
At one-year post-discharge
mother’s whereabouts were unknown, and the father’s family would not provide a place for the teenager to stay.
100
Youth Villages’ Specialized Crisis Services responder
80
0
No involvement with the law
20
At home with family
40
84%
In school or graduated
60
85%
92%
Cathy Witmer went to see the girl at their county’s justice center. When Cathy got there, she found the girl had several medical issues and a pending surgery. Cathy helped ensure the girl received proper treatment and care at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and then responder Milly Douglas followed up with the child to get more information. During the course of nearly a week, the two responders and the crisis department monitored the girl’s situation and made sure her unique needs were met.
The graph above represents the status of East Tennessee youth at one year after discharge through June 2012. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 53 percent.
“That was not our usual type of crisis call,” said Milly, a former child abuse investigator. “It is a good example of how we work with partner agencies and work together to make sure decisions are made in the child’s best interests.” Most of the time, crisis calls involve behavior problems or self-harming. Throughout Tennessee, the Youth Villages Specialized Crisis Services staff provides assessment and evaluation of children and youth up to age 18 who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. In February, SCS responded to more than 1,200 calls. The responder’s assessment may include interviewing other children, family, extended family, community members, teachers, counselors and first responders – anyone who can provide salient information regarding the crisis. They also assess the child’s history and any factors that may have led to the crisis and how to avoid future issues. Also, the responders coordinate with other agencies and facilities to help ensure the child is placed in an appropriate environment, whether that is treatment at home, group therapy or counseling, or hospitalization.
Milly Douglas, Youth Villages Specialized Crisis Services responder, worked with partner agencies and the SCS department to help ensure a child’s needs were met following a family tragedy.
The program employs more than 80 staff who work from 13 Youth Villages offices and satellite locations across the state to provide faster response times. New Heights 3
The Youth Villages Through assistance from the Youth Villages transitional living program, Stephanie has found a job and a good home for her two daughters. She has plans for a future.
A BRIGHT FUTURE OF HER OWN Stephanie’s not a normal 18-yearold. She has a home, a job, two small children and takes business classes at a local college. She juggles all of it with minimal support. “I had to grow up early,” she said. “Because of my responsibilities, I can’t
transitional living program provides young adults leaving state custody the intensive support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. The program helps young people learn to deal with the minor and major problems that come with adulthood. They help participants find housing and health services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. Specialists teach life skills like time management, budgeting, menu planning and grocery shopping.
Your support has allowed the most statistically vulnerable youth in the nation today make a positive start on adulthood. Since 1999, more than 4,700 teens earned jobs, found homes and provided for their families thanks to your help.
do the things most 18-year-olds do, and I don’t want to.” Stephanie was placed with her children in foster care following the death of her grandfather. She didn’t have a
children like Stephanie get a good
to maintain housing, complete her
start on adulthood in the crucial years
GED and maintain transportation at
between ages 17 and 22.
her age should be an example to par-
Transitional living counselors help
ents in their 30s and 40s,” Paige said.
good experience in foster care, and
young people learn to deal with the
“He told her and the court that her
after turning 18, was recommended
minor and major problems that come
success would be the standard others
for Youth Villages’ transitional living
with adulthood.
would be judged by that day.”
program. Because her children were in state custody with her, she needed to provide a permanency plan and go through a 90-day home trial.
“She worked very hard to find the first job,” said Paige Keisler, Youth Vil-
Stephanie recently retuned from Florida, where she participated in child development training for her job at a day care facility. She’d like her own home and plans to continue her
lages TL clinical super-
college education. She’s determined,
get out of the foster home and find my
visor. “Because of the
but when she discusses her future, she
own home.”
economy, it was very
gets more excited.
tough to find the first job,
it’s what I’m used to. I’ve got a routine
“I was extra motivated to do it on my own,” Stephanie said. “I was ready to
Stephanie found an apartment and learned quite a bit while in the TL program. She found a job after submitting more than 50 applications, got a driv-
but she didn’t give up.”
Youth Villages, through a grant from The Day Foundation, began a transitional living program in 1999, to help 4 New Heights
“I’ve always done things on my own – now where everything sort of falls into place,” she said. “I’m content now to see where things take me, but I want a
er’s license and vehicle, and learned about money and time management.
but patient – she has a lot to do now
Stephanie regained full custody of her children, and during the hearing, she the judge praised her. “The judge said Stephanie’s ability
home. I want to have my own business. It will happen.”
THE JOYFUL LABORS OF A VERY HAPPY HOME Foster parents make a home where children feel safe Bobby’s day usually begins around six in the morning, preparing meals and getting the children and her husband, Johnny, ready for their day. To say her home is a whirlwind of activity for most of the day is an understatement. For Bobby and Johnny, it’s a mission of sorts. They both had children from previous marriages, but their union was more than a simple
Foster parents Bobby, right, and Johhny, left, with Jada, Chase and Joseph
marriage. It was the grand opening of their home. “It wasn’t like ‘those are
aggressive. His first foster
any other 3-year-old boy.
of the previous 14 hours.
placement didn’t work well,
Bobby runs children to
your kids and these are
but Bobby and Johnny were
doctor’s appointments and
continues through to the
mine,’” Johnny said. “It’s all
patient and Chase slowly
other things. In addition
wee hours of the next day.
of us together. We’re all in it
transformed. He’s part of
to the adopted children,
together.”
the family, and helps care
they’re still foster parents
like this: It’s a lot of news,
for his younger sister and
to three other children. She
and it can be bad one day,
brother.
calls them all by pet names
good the next day and
During the past four years, they’ve opened their
Most days, Bobby’s evening
“Having foster children is
home to more than 10 foster
Joseph was born to a
and maintains an unending
then great another day,”
children, recently adopting
drug-addicted mother. He
supply of affection and ener-
she said. “It’s a lot of work
three – Chase, 15; Jada, 8;
cried and wailed incessantly
gy. To nearly everyone who
and you have to be flexible.
and Joseph, 3. Both coming
while his body weaned
goes in and out their front
But we love all of them. It’s
from abusive and neglect-
itself from the narcotics. He
door, they’re called Mamaw
difficult sometimes when
ful childhoods, Bobby and
had to be soothed and held
and Papaw. But there are
they leave – you want them
Johnny decided their home
constantly. His sleep was
still standards.
to go home to their fami-
was going to be a haven, a
erratic. Bobby and Johnny
safe place for children who
never wavered.
needed attention, care and love. “I’ve always wanted to protect abused children,” Bobby said. “I wanted to
“We just held him and
lies, but you get attached
Bobby said. “We expect good
and you’re sad to see them
grades in school, manners,
leave.”
loved him,” Johnny said.
and being respectful of
“There wasn’t anything else
adults and other children.
ing begins the daily routine.
we could do.”
They all have chores to do to
Bobby and Johnny said
help around the house. We
they’d take in more chil-
expect them to mind.”
dren if they could.
There are no signs of
help children who’ve been
those troubles now, as
mistreated.”
Joseph and his freshly cut
Chase was removed from
“Oh yes, we’ve got rules,”
The children’s bedtime is
And then the next morn-
The children are safe.
Mohawk hairdo speed from
usually around 8 in the eve-
They’re loved. Most impor-
his home because of abuse
room to room and down the
ning. Bobby and Johnny end
tant, they’re happy.
and neglect. He was also
hallway with his sister. He
the evening cleaning and
physically and verbally
laughs and plays just like
straightening up the circus New Heights 5
I
ncreasing pressure for fiscal accountability nationwide has driven much of the interest in Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family RestorationTMapproach, because the approach ensures that any public or private resources expended deliver proven social outcomes. Data-driven and outcomes-focused child services are moral obligations not only to the children served, but also to the public and private dollars of which states, agencies and providers are stewards. For families and funders both, EFR provides a single source of accountability for a family’s success.
CODY OVERCOMES HIS PAST AND LOOKS TOWARD A FUTURE OF PROMISE
of positive peer groups, and extensive help for families and children in accessing community resources and long-term, ongoing support. “Cody missed his family while he was in residential care,” Mindy said. “Sadly, he’s a child who’s been in and
Miss Beulah and his family interven-
out of state custody so much, he knows
tion specialist, Mindy Fuller, report
what it takes to be stable in the home.”
that Cody has come a long way.
Mindy, partnering with Brandi
Cody was able to attend his first
Jones, Cody’s transitional counselor,
Boy Scout camp recently and looks
established a more structured envi-
forward to attending middle school, a
ronment for Cody, including using
long way from myriad residential cen-
behavior charts with rules, rewards
ters, including Youth Villages’ Center
and consequences. His behavior
for Intensive Residential Treatment
changed at school, and he learned
and the Bartlett Campus. “Cody’s a lot different now,” Mindy
from there and implement it in the
coping skills such as deep breathing
home,” Mindy said.
to manage those times when his anger
said. “He’s able to help out at home
And Cody responded positively.
and frustration would formerly get the
and is doing well in school.”
“He gets along with his younger
best of him.
Cody, 12, has lived with his great-
brother much better now,” Miss Beu-
He’s very energetic and strong-
grandmother, Miss Beulah, since he
lah said. “Youth Villages seemed to
willed, which can create its own set of
was 5. She now has custody of Cody,
work best for him. They did more to
issues, but Cody’s learned to operate
who exhibited behavior issues from
help him than any other place.”
in a structured environment. He has
an early age. In addition to being
After Cody discharged from Youth
chores to do at home, and works at
physically and verbally aggressive,
Villages’ Bartlett Campus, he par-
turning his energy toward positive
Cody coped with a difficult childhood
ticipated in Youth Villages’ Intercept
endeavors.
through self-harming behavior, theft,
intensive in-home program. Youth
substance abuse, school problems and
Villages’ goal is to return children
bicycle, then fixed it up and painted it
other legal issues. He’d lash out when
to a less restrictive environment
himself. He has a long way to go, but
he didn’t get his way, whether at home
to continue their progress through
things are in place for Cody to grow
or at school.
intensive in-home services, with their
and be successful. He’s even thinking
For years, Cody has
family when possible, or therapeutic
about his future.
foster care when it is not. Intercept
“I’d like to go in the military,” he
been in and out of resi-
provides treatment to troubled chil-
said. “That way, I can travel and see
dren and families in their own homes
other places.”
dential facilities, but they
He recently purchased his own
at times convenient for the families.
“Cody’s been through a great deal
were ineffective in chang-
All treatment is family-centered and
of trauma in his young life, and it will
ing his behavior. Youth
includes strength-based interven-
take some time for him to process and
tions. Our comprehensive treatment
overcome some of those struggles,”
approach includes family therapy,
Mindy said. “But Youth Villages has
mental health treatment for caregiv-
stepped up with positive role models,
ers, parenting skills education, edu-
as well as his scout leaders and his Big
cational interventions, development
Brother.”
Villages seemed to work. “Since Cody’s residential treatment, we were able to take what he learned 6 New Heights
JOHNSON CITY FINDS ITS BACKPACK HEROES
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Staff members
Become a force for families
of BlueCross BlueShield of Ten-
There are numerous ways to help. Mentor,
nessee gathered
foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to
at Youth Villages’
our programs. Your support can have a di-
Johnson City office
rect impact on the future of the more than 450
to fill backpacks
children we help every day in East Tennessee.
with supplies for
Please call or e-mail Youth Villages to find out
area kids. More
how to help.
than 15 volunteers filled backpacks with pencils, pens, glue, erasers, lunch boxes and more. The company also donated $10,000 at the Johnson City office.
9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E-475 Knoxville, TN 37923 865-560-2550
Along with filling about 60 backpacks, volunteers also placed handwritten notes to go with the backpacks.
ROBERT’S MAKING THE MOST OF COLLEGE Robert went back home
LEGACY OF CARING LEFT FOR FAMILY AND FOSTER YOUTH “Whatever happened before, it won’t
to his foster family for the summer.
diagnosed with cancer. He wasn’t able
teenage youth and assisting his young-
to keep his job through the treat-
est son, Devan, with a mixed martial
ments. Unable to work, he confessed
arts training center. The foster chil-
to his wife, Nancy, that he would go stir
dren also helped with the business,
crazy if he didn’t find something to do.
some even participating in the classes.
together.”
arry was a salesman for more
Larry passed away last summer. His
than two decades when he was
About a year following the death of Larry Plaisance, the family continues to move forward and help teenagers. In fact, the family welcomed an additional youth.
last years were spent helping foster
Nancy, a medical coder, heard a spot
Devan runs the center, trains and
about Youth Villages and the need
fights professionally.
for foster parents on a local Christian
Just a few short months after Larry’s
radio station.
death, his imprint is left on the youth
“I told him about it and he called,”
he helped and the children he raised
she said. “I guess the rest is history.”
with Nancy. Devan returned home to
There are three boys in Nancy’s
“We got the kids nobody else want-
home, ages 16, 17 and 18. They all have
ed,” he said. “Dad was strict, but he
difficult pasts. They’re just three of the
was fair and honest.”
more than 30 teenage boys Nancy and
“I couldn’t ask for better parents,”
Larry told the youth when they first
ways taking care of people, and there
came to the house that everyone was
was always someone at the house
treated the same. The first priority
when I was growing up.”
to help the toughest ones. Larry and
was safety and security.
Nancy’s biological children didn’t mind.
“I’d show them their room and
“The teenage boys, that’s who Larry
sometimes they’d come right back
strengths, and love.
out, sometimes they’d stay in there
seemed to be the best fit for us. We
for a while,” Nancy said. “Then we’d
that he was very strict, but fair and
fostered juvenile justice children for
tell them, ‘You’re safe here. Whatever
consistent with all the children,”
a very long time. Some of them were
happened to you is in the past, and it
Nancy said. “He wouldn’t lie to them.
very difficult.”
won’t happen here.”
Granted, we had older boys, but they
Devan, their youngest biological son,
Planned Giving website for
“What made us a good team was
continued on page 6
ROBERT PREPARES FOR COLLEGE Robert’s had a big summer. He attended a leadership forum at Disneyworld, attend-
first year of college. He’s in
ated high school. He’s also narrowed his college choices for
the YV Scholars program,
Robert has been staying with Nancy and Larry for the past few months. Their home had a big effect on him.
stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts,
Larry recently passed away, and Robert’s more committed to helping the family stay successful, including helping Robert with his TL specialist, Cassie
gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.
“Before, I wasn’t really confident,” he said. “But they accepted me and I felt more at ease. I could be myself.”
where Youth Villages pays provided he maintains cer-
bequests, gifts of appreciated
ed his high school prom, became a Christian and graduthe fall.
his tuition and college costs
Marler Stone
information on wills and
respected him for the way he treated
was more succinct.
Robert did well during his
are new to the concept of
lages.org and then go to the
At the heart of their success were Larry and Nancy’s complementary
wanted to help,” Nancy said. “They
for your support. If you
Donate on www.YouthVil-
Devan said. “Mom and dad were al-
Larry have fostered over the years. Lar-
Villages as there are needs
planned giving, please click
help.
ry, the oldest of eight children, wanted
There are as many different ways to support Youth
“When you’re family, you pull
happen here.”
L
Thinking of a planned gift?
continued on page 6 5
Robert and his foster family were first featured in the fall 2011 New Heights.
tain academic and community service standards. He was also the first-ever freshman editor of his school newspaper. He even took a few upper-level courses. The family is known for fostering young people who are tough to place. In fact, Devan, the family’s biological son, said his mother and father took the children no one else wanted. After Larry’s death last year, Devan returned home to help his mother, Nancy. And the youth in the home took to Devan, who runs a martial arts school in the area and is a mixed martial arts fighter and teacher. Devan is also studying to become a firefighter. In addition to Nancy’s regular job, she’s also taken up making jewelry in her spare time. There’s quite a bit happening at the home and with
Resources there include definitions, wording for wills, stories of how instruments are created and much more. You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to see what a planned gift would mean in your unique circumstances. For more information, contact Marler Stone at 901-251-4820 or e-mail marler.stone@youthvillages.org.
Stay in touch online youthvillages.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/youthvillages www.facebook.com/youthvillages
the children. One of the children trains regularly with Devan and plans to compete soon. Another was recently awarded all-district
www.youthvillages.org
honors in wrestling at his school. New Heights 7
YOUTH VILLAGES 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475 Knoxville, TN 37923 (Address Service Requested)
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 20,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami, Tampa Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.
New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages
Managing Editor: Amanda Tillman
Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please call 865-560-2550 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. The organization helps more than 20,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders. The EFR approach produces lasting success for children, with success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care.