New Heights East Tennessee Fall 2012

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.