New Heights Georgia - Spring 2012

Drumming program receives donation ... 10

Learning is everywhere at Inner Harbour school ... 6

Family Victories from Youth Villages Georgia

Staff, volunteers partner to build children-designed playground ... 8

Spring 2012

HIS SUCCESS ISN’T A MYSTERY Routine, rewards, structure and father key components in Marquell’s success ... 4

DYNIQUA KEEPS UP

Teen turns energies to a positive direction, results show at home and at school ... 5

A message from Our directors

Emily Acker and Kate Cantrell

Three years’ help for Georgia’s most troubled youth

Atlanta Douglasville

Georgia

GEORGIA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Ira Blumenthal Kenneth A. Campbell * Robert F. Clayton Rick Crain Marietta Davis*

Youth Villages was founded on the belief that every child deserves to be safe, happy and loved.

Rob Douglass Karole Lloyd*

This year is the third anniversary of our partnership with the Department

Lynn Merrill

of Children and Family Services and the Department of Juvenile Justice. We

Jennifer S. Queen*

highlight our successes and effective, cost-saving practices in our three-year

Robert L. Rearden III

report on our website. In addition to providing Intercept intensive in-home

Matthew F. Tarkenton *

services, we also help children and families be successful through our Inner

David Tyler *

Harbour residential campus.

We take on the toughest cases and provide unprecedented levels of sup-

*member of Youth Villages’ national board of directors

port and care for youth and their families. Bolstered by nearly two decades of research, our staff provides help to youth and families 24 hours a day. We do it not only because it works, but because we care about the lasting success of children and families.

Data show that more than 70 percent of the youth who receive at least 60

YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Bruns, Chairman

days of services are living successfully at home. In addition, Youth Villages’

Ronnie Randall, Vice Chairman

most recent six-month follow-up survey shows:

Jimmy Lackie, Secretary

n 89 percent are either in school or have graduated.

Paul Bower, Treasurer

n 82 percent report no involvement with the law.

Jim Barton Jr.

n 74 percent were at home.

Eric Bolton

n Only 4 percent of youth went to a residential treatment center.

Kenneth A. Campbell

n Only 5 percent of youth were placed in detention/corrections centers.

Marietta Davis

n No children were placed in acute psychiatric hospitals.

Joanna Jacobson

Thanks to the collaborative effort of Youth Villages, the Georgia DFCS and

Rev. Robert Earl Jones

DJJ, these children have opportunities they never thought possible. Thank

Bryan Jordan

you for the chance to make a difference for the children of Georgia.

Karole Lloyd Mark Medford Jim Parrish Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman

Emily Acker Director of Residential Programs-Georgia 4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135 770-852-6298 emily.acker@youthvillages.org 2

Kate Cantrell Director of Programs-Georgia 1777 Northeast Expressway NE, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30329 404-320-2957 kate.cantrell@youthvillages.org

Jennifer S. Queen Matthew F. Tarkenton David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO

v

*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.

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.

A LIFE OF SERVICE: BOARD MEMBER REMEMBERED

GEORGIA SUCCESS 100

Outcomes

At Six Six-month month Follow-up Follow up

80

0

No involvement with the law

20

At home with family

40

74%

Georgia Leadership Council, Youth Villages National Board of Directors

89% In school or graduated

60

82%

Lewis Holland Sr. Lewis G. Holland Sr., a longtime civic leader in Atlanta and a member of Youth Villages’ board of directors, died Oct. 5. He was 75. Mr. Holland supported the Inner Harbour Campus just outside Atlanta for many years and joined the board when Youth Villages merged with Inner Harbour in 2009.

“Lewis Holland was a true champion for our country’s most vulnerable children,” said Pat Lawler, CEO of Youth

The graph above represents the status of Georgia youth at one year after discharge through December 2011. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 59 percent.

Villages. “His undaunted passion for our work was clear in the way he was personally involved in our mission.

Youth Villages would not be the organization it is today without his guidance and involvement.”

NEWS AND NOTES AROUND YOUTH VILLAGES LAWLER PENS AJC ARTICLE Patrick Lawler, CEO of Youth Villag-

White House.

The meeting focused on the Child

fice of public engagement.

The law is one of the only big bipar-

es, recently wrote an opinion column

and Family Services Improvement

tisan initiatives passed by the Con-

for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

and Innovation Act. It expands the

gress so far this year.

stressing the healing power of families

Title IV-E waiver program to allow

and highlighting the work Youth Vil-

more states to use federal foster care

program to allow more states to use

lages does in Georgia through part-

funds to develop or provide innovative

federal foster care funds to develop

nering with the Georgia Division of

prevention or reunification services

or provide innovative prevention

Family and Children Services and the

that help children avoid foster care

or reunification services that help

Department of Juvenile Justice.

entirely, reunite with family members

children avoid foster care entirely,

more quickly or find new families

reunite with family members more

through adoption.

quickly or find new families through

YOUTH VILLAGES CEO TAKES PART IN WHITE HOUSE ROUNDTABLE Patrick Lawler also joined other

Other White House roundtable participants included Jonathan Green-

It expands the Title IV-E waiver

adoption.

Roundtable participants discussed

blatt, new director of the White House

the use of evidence- and research-

Office of Social Innovation and Civic

based practices and stressed the

child advocates recently for a roundta-

Participation, Racquel Russell, special

importance of measuring outcomes

ble discussion with President Obama’s

assistant to the president for mobility

to determine effective programs to be

Domestic Policy Council staff at the

and opportunity, and John Carson, of-

implemented on a large scale.

3

THERE’S NO MYSTERY TO MARQUELL’S SUCCESS

up to three times each week, with Kayla on call 24 hours a day.

The Intercept intensive inhome services program is a proven alterna-

The foster mother re-

tive treatment

ported that he could get out

for children and

of hand.

youth who oth-

The Georgia Division of

erwise would be

Family and Children Ser-

placed in foster

vices caseworker assigned

care, residential

to the family said he had a

treatment, de-

major behavior issue and

tention centers,

would really act out.

hospitals or other juvenile

part of the family required

ior when Marquell went to

facilities. Diverting youth

his contribution.”

his father’s house remains

It carried over to school,

Marquell with his father, Marcello

where he was physically ag-

from these out-of-home

Marquell’s in the third

a mystery. Maybe it was his

gressive to peers and staff.

placements, Intercept fam-

grade and said math is his

system, as Marcello calls it,

ily intervention specialists

favorite subject.

where Marquell has work to

Marquell was referred to Youth Villages from DFCS

provide guidance and treat-

about a month before he

ment resources for youth

said. “I get my work done

he wants. Marcello doesn’t

reunified with his father,

and families in their own

and I get to watch movies or

suffer silliness during work

Marcello.

homes.

play games.”

time, and is consistent with

Then Marquell’s behavior

“DFCS made sure the

“I like living at home,” he

Marquell was discharged

do and then gets to do what

rewards and consequences.

changed. The reasons for it

support services Marquell

in October. On his days off,

From day one, Kayla said

are a mystery. By all ac-

received during foster care

Marcello regularly visits his

dad has done whatever has

counts, his physical aggres-

went home with him,” said

son’s school.

been asked of him to make

sion and outbursts reported

Kirby Starks, Youth Villages

by the foster parent and

regional manager. “DFCS

the school to make sure

“Maybe it was his stern-

state just didn’t happen any

set the foundation for Mar-

everything’s going well

ness,” she said. “Or the way

more.

quell to succeed.”

there,” he said. “Not only

he handled Marquell. He’s

that Marquell’s getting the

always been supportive and

“I never saw it,” Marcello

DFCS and Youth Villages

“I’m pretty active with

a home for Marquell.

said. “He’s always been a

collaborated often to ensure

care he needs and following

helpful to Marquell, never

great boy.”

the family had social sup-

up on everything, but also

rude or anything like that.

ports and positive activities

to check on Marquell and

He just never left the door

for Marquell.

make sure he’s doing what

open for Marquell to act

he needs to do.”

up.”

But he still needed help.

Marquell was placed in foster care following allega-

Weekly goals were set up

tions of abuse by his mother.

to give Marquell something

He’s also diagnosed with

to focus on. They achieved a

visits the school and sits in

Marcello during custody

ADHD, which created prob-

two-fold benefit.

during Marquell’s class.

hearings. She helped Mar-

lems with impulse control.

Kayla said dad sometimes

Kayla went to court with

“One week we’d work

“He developed a good

Youth Villages Family In-

on outbursts, then the next

rapport with the teachers

with Marquell’s teachers at

tervention Specialist Kayla

week we’d work on Mar-

and advocated for Mar-

school.

Billups worked with Mar-

quell cleaning his room,”

quell,” she said. “Marcello’s

cello to create a safe, stable

Marcello said. “Part of it

worked very hard to make a

through,” Marcello said.

environment for Marquell.

was getting him to stay on

good home for his son, and I

“But it’s so much better now.

She worked with Marquell

task, but it also let Marquell

commend him for that.”

I’m happy Marquell’s at

on coping skills. They met

understand that being a

4

But the change in behav-

cello develop a rapport

“We had a lot to work

home.”

DYNIQUA FINDS A BETTER WAY TO SPEAK HER MIND Dyniqua’s chatty. She likes being in-

mother’s home successfully. Following

“The thing with Dyniqua was that

volved, helping others and keeping up

the brief stay at Inner Harbour, Dyni-

she was either a one or a 10,” Calai

with current events. She doesn’t hold

qua and her mother began Intercept

said. “There was no middle. Behavior-

back and speaks her mind. It takes

intensive in-home services.

ally, we had to find a five.”

a lot of energy, and she has plenty to

At home, Calai worked with Kath-

Once home, Dyniqua joined the

erine on increasing the structure and

cheerleading squad and ran for class

safety in the home. Youth Villages

president. She’s involved. She keeps

routinely works with state partners to

up with what’s going on at the school

provide intensive in-home services as

and looks after her friends. At din-

mother, said. “You could tell her she

an alternative to out-of-home place-

ner, she chatted with Calai and her

wasn’t going to see her friends, but she

ments. Family intervention specialists

mother, turning periodically to assist

found a way to leave the house and

meet with families an average of three

and share food with her sister. She’s

go.”

times weekly and remaining on call

not sure if she wants to be a lawyer or

around the clock. Services are cus-

not, but it’s an option.

spare.

But that energy was going in a negative direction.

“She was stubborn,” Katherine, her

She was physically and verbally aggressive. Dyniqua became involved

tomized to meet each family’s needs,

“I’m still the same as I was – I speak

with a local gang. She fought. She had

while measuring treatment progress

my mind,” Dyniqua said. “But through

problems with authority. When her

through ongoing assessment and

Youth Villages, I learned how to say it

mother fell upon

review.

in a different way.”

hard times, Dyniqua was taken into

KEEPING CHILDREN AT HOME, WITH FAMILY

state custody. At first, she lived with

The Youth Villages Intercept in-home

parenting skills education, educational

her grandmother,

services program provides treatment

interventions, development of posi-

but that didn’t last.

to troubled children and families in

tive peer groups, and extensive help

Some of her peers

their own homes at times convenient

for families and children in accessing

for the families.

community resources and long-term,

physically assaulted her grandmother.

Dyniqua

Finally, Dyniqua went to Youth Villages’ Inner Harbour residential campus.

The program serves children up to age 18 who have serious emotional and behavioral problems.

ongoing support.

Intercept family intervention specialists provide services to the family,

Intercept specializes in diverting

rather than just to the youth, meet-

youth from out-of-home placements

ing with families at least three times

than a year later with her mother,

such as residential treatment facilities,

weekly and remaining on call around

her younger sister and Youth Villages

foster homes, psychiatric residential

the clock.

Family Intervention Specialist Calai

treatment centers, hospitals or group

Seifer, Dyniqua offered this confession

homes, and successfully reuniting

providers, case workers and courts to

of her previous behavior.

children with their families in the com-

formulate a collaborative treatment

munity.

plan. Small caseloads – four to six

Sitting over dinner a little more

“That doesn’t sound like me, does it?”

Calai started working with Dyniqua at Inner Harbour.

“We went through a difficult period,

Stabilization services generally last

Specialists collaborate with other

families – allow our family interven-

four to six months, while reunifica-

tion specialists to focus on the indi-

tion services generally last six to nine

vidual needs of each child and family

months. Intercept family intervention

we serve.

and she wanted to test me,” the coun-

specialists are skilled at reuniting fami-

selor said. “But she worked hard and

lies even when the child has been out

states reform their social services

we explored different ways to handle

of the home for an extended period.

systems by providing measurable,

things.”

Calai and Youth Villages worked

All treatment is family-centered and

Our research-based programs help

sustainable results at a lower cost. We

includes strength-based interventions.

achieve cost savings by diverting youth

together with the Georgia Division of

Our comprehensive treatment ap-

from out-of-home placements, offering

Family and Children Services to help

proach includes family therapy, mental

in-home services as an alternative and

ensure Dyniqua transitioned to her

health treatment for caregivers,

working toward family reunification.

5

FOSTERING A LIFE-LONG LEARNING EXPERIENCE Seven students in Dede Chase’s classroom just finished reading about Liz Murray, a young girl who was homeless and earned a scholarship to Harvard University.

Her story was made popular by a made-for-TV movie, “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story.”

Just outside the classroom, Tyrel was preparing to be discharged, but he wanted to read a poem to the class before he left. Chase took the opportunity to give the students an assignment: listen to

Tyrel reads a poem to his class before being discharged. It took him three weeks to write the poem about his life and his time at Inner Harbour.

Youth Villages-Inner Harbour school teacher Dede Chase takes every opportunity to turn things into learning events for young people at Inner Harbour.

the poem, and then give it a title and a cover drawing.

Tyrel entered the room, wiping his eyes with a tissue.

The class waited silently as Tyrel gathered his emotions and began reading. “… Parents divorced, foster homes, leaving me with all these memories that were bad, I really hoped they could have been a better mom and stepdad … Now I am moving forward in my life, no more pain, misery or strife. Now I’m a strong young man, doing the best that I can.”

Tyrel’s poem offered closure for the group and a chance for the class and Tyrel to say goodbye. The class also used the event to interpret meaning. The class assignment was summed up best by one student who drew faces accompanying “I hate to see him leave, I will feel lonely, sad, upset, disappointed … and happy.” continued on page 7 6

Above, African drumming is an important component of life at Inner Harbour. In addition to the therapeutic benefits of drumming, students also learn about African history and culture.

At left, Jason tends to lizards in a terrarium at Inner Harbour school. Jason and others in his class care for numerous animals, including a cockatiel named Georgia, lizards, numerous fish, turtles and a python. In addition to caring for the animals, they also learn about each animal’s habitat and behavior and learn math skills through mixing appropriate strengths for purifying the water in tanks and measuring appropriate amounts of food.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING from page 6

Jack and Edward were part of Youth Villages-Inner Harbour school chess team that competed in the seven-school Douglas County Team Chess Tournament. The team finished fourth. Edward, who remembered watching his grandfather play chess

The Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus is one of Georgia’s largest psychiatric residential treatment programs for seriously emotionally troubled children and youth. The woodland setting on 1,200 acres just outside Atlanta offers a therapeutic environment, including a lake, a sports field, running track and playgrounds for recreational activities.

in the park when he was younger, said nerves were the reason he lost his first match.

“One of the people I played against was real cocky, and I was nervous,” he said. “I didn’t want to shake his hand after the match, but I did.”

He won his next four matches.

After the tournament, the class wrote essays about their experiences.

Some created PowerPoint presentations that brought the event into a context of learning. Teacher James Couch’s chess curriculum shows students sportsmanship. It enforces the academic concepts of geometry and algebraic notation. It also en-

Recently, members of James Couch’s class at Inner Harbour school constructed a fire pit. In addition to grading the land, digging the pit (below) and constructing drainage, the class also transported logs to place by the pit. Called group logs, they offer groups an opportunity to sit together for celebrations and other group functions.

hances critical thinking and social skills. Through chess, students learn to understand the consequences of decisions.

“We tap into things that interest the children and expand on their interest,” said Penny Honeycutt, Inner Harbour school principal. “Through positive experiences, they are able to see how they can contribute in a positive way in whatever situation they are confronted with. Most importantly, they have fun.”

Youth Villages-Inner Harbour school operates under the premise that learning is everywhere, and it’s in everything they do. From African drumming and chess, to landscaping meeting places and caring for ani-

reflect and evaluate how they learn,

increases dramatically when they’re

mals, youth at Inner Harbour school

and they become personally involved

given the opportunity to hear, see,

let their experience define what aca-

in their educational and social ex-

touch and emotionally connect with

demic concepts they learn.

periences,” Honeycutt said. “Their

the concepts we’re teaching.”

“We encourage our students to

retention of educational concepts 7

KABOOM!

KIDS DESIGN PLAYGROUND; COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERS, STAFF BUILD IT! Children at the Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus in Douglasville, Ga., have a new dream playground thanks to KaBOOM!, MetLife, Youth Villages’ supporters and the hard work of more than 200 volunteers.

Some of the children receiving treatment at the campus helped design their dream playground and the volunteers came together last year to build it for them.

8

A day in the life of Inner Harbour School

9

DONATION HELPS SPREAD INNER HARBOUR’S DRUMBEAT Lynn Goodendorf was initially skeptical of the benefits of drumming.

She plays the piano, and is aware

the critical work being done at Inner

and equine therapy

Harbour,” said Emily Acker, Youth Vil-

enhance treatment

lages Georgia director of residential

as well.

of the power of music. But she was

programs. “Our drumming program

unconvinced of claims that Youth

is a real showcase of what our young

president of data

Villages–Inner Harbour’s drumming

people can accomplish, and her dona-

privacy services for

program stimulates brain activity and

tion will go a long way in helping us

VerSprite, has spent

makes children more open to therapy.

continue that work.”

more than 20 years

At Inner Harbour, the African drum

Goodendorf, vice

Goodendorf

Goodendorf was on the Inner Har-

in computer and

program engages youth in building and

bour board of directors from 2003 to

network security

playing drums. It improves their hand-

2006, and still has an interest in the

and risk management.

eye coordination and teaches musical

campus. She has a passion for help-

skills. The program also reports youth

ing children achieve success through

give, there is always something some-

achieve a state of reduced feelings of

experience and learning. In fact, her

one can do to make a difference in

anger and depression. In fact, they re-

donation to benefit the drumming

the lives of our young people,” said

port feeling rejuvenated and stronger.

program wasn’t her first gift to Inner

Mary Norman, Youth Villages Georgia

Many report more beneficial therapy

Harbour. In addition to her service on

director of development. “So much of

sessions following drumming.

the board, Goodendorf also donated

what is accomplished at Inner Harbour

startup money for children to create

requires donations of time and money.

Goodendorf would have to try it herself.

“No matter what your capacity to

a garden on campus after reading

Lynn showed through her donations

“When I was on the board at Inner

about how gardening was an effective

that she believes in the future and what

Harbour, I was able to participate in a

therapy for concentration camp survi-

our young people can accomplish.”

drumming lesson,” Goodendorf said.

vors after World War II.

“I am musical, but I’d never played the

Most of all, Goodendorf has a passion

drums. I’d observed the classes before

for helping children with behavioral is-

and saw how much fun the youth were

sues get to the cause of their issues and

having, but to experience it was some-

move in a positive direction. She likes

thing else. It was wonderful, and I

what Inner Harbour school’s experien-

found myself energized, yet surprised

tial programs can accomplish.

at how calm I felt.”

For youth at Inner Harbour, the

“My husband and I are supporters of experiential programs to improve

drumming program also offers learn-

the effectiveness of more conven-

ing opportunities and fosters coop-

tional mental health care treatment,”

eration and enhanced mental focus.

Goodendorf said. “Inner Harbour’s

Goodendorf recently donated $2,500 to

programs are on the leading edge of

the program.

mental health care.”

Her donation is one of many that

The Youth Villages-Inner Harbour

help the program continue through

Campus is one of Georgia’s largest

the purchase of materials to build

psychiatric residential treatment

the drums, expenses for off-campus

programs for seriously emotionally

performances and other supplies

troubled children and youth. Serving

needed to continue the program. A

young people throughout the South-

group of young people in the program

east since 1962, the Inner Harbour

has performed at the John F. Kennedy

Campus merged with Youth Vil-

Center for the Performing Arts in

lages in the fall of 2009. The campus

Washington, D.C., and has been in-

includes two lakes, a sports field,

vited to perform at the 2012 Summer

running track and playgrounds for

Olympics in London.

recreational activities. Hiking trails,

“Lynn has long been a champion of 10

canoeing activities, a ropes course

THINKING ABOUT 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 visit youthvillages. org and click Donate for information. We have information on wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.

There are 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 information, contact Mary Norman at 404-320-2969 or e-mail mary.norman@youthvillages.org.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Thanks to our many supporters

The following donors made gifts to Youth Villages between Dec. 31, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2011. 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 404-320-2969.

YV Pillar ($25,000 - $49,999) Dell Inc. KaBOOM!/MetLife

YV Builder ($10,000 - $24,999) Microsoft

YV Family Champion ($5,000 - $9,999) Captain Planet Foundation Jennifer Queen

YV Champion for Children ($1,000- $4,999) George Johnson Ray McPhail David Tyler Dan Boone Robert Douglass

YV Leader ($500 - $999) Thomas Asher Suzanne Bollman Claude Grizzard James A. Grover Linda Ramsey Don Scarbrough Matthew Tarkenton Charles Thalhimer and Family Leeann Theriault

YV Friend (Gifts up to $499) Sherry Akers Lynn Allan Richard and Judith Allison Dorothy Anderson Stephen Bacon Gerard Barousse Rachel Berenthal Lauren Berger Ronald Bobo H. Boon Marvin Botnick Kevin Brady Kate Cantrell Carolyn Cartwright Melissa Ί T. Scott Chitwood George B. Clements Barbara Cleveland and Stanley Jones

Margaret Clime Rene E. Cohen Jocelyn Cox Gayle Cummings Lena Spivey Daniell Sharon Daniels Philip Davis Richard Davis Robert Deborde Larry Dobbs Lynn Dorfman Eve Eckardt Robert Eckhardt Brooke Edmond Lamar H. Ellis Jr. Lamar Ellis Kathleen Evans Everett Expose Tara Farrell James Gober Jonathan Golden Mr. and Mrs. Johnathan Golden William M. Graves William Greer Linda Grizzard Elizabeth Hale Mary Hall Susan Harte Beverly Holland Ridley Howard Maudie Huff Jimmy James Laurel Jeffay Carolyn Jenkins LeeBrant Jewelers Twiggs Kelley Krunch Kloberdanz Palmer Knight Lucy S. Kuhne William Leffler Jeffrey Lutz Christina Mauro Barry McWhirter Lynn Merrill Wright Mitchell Anthony Montag Moor/Isolae Moor/Isolae family Judy Morton Brenda Breedlove Moseley Charles Moseley

How you

can help!

Mary Norman Director of Development 404-320-2969 mary.norman@youthvillages.org

There are numerous ways to help. Volunteer or donate such needed items as clothing, furniture and other supplies.

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

Helen Muirhead Megan Nelson Megan Nelson Riley Nix James Nygaard Beverly O’Connor H.Llamar Oglesby Joe and Robin Owens Linda Peterson Oxford Properties Publix Super Market - #485 Jennifer Queen Linda Ramsey Dan and Ginny Rather Ginny Rather Robert Rearden Catherine Reed Cindy Reid Jean Rice H. English Robinson Phyllis Rodbell Elisabeth Rogers Rick Ruiz Jane and Ed Schweers Jane Campbell Schweers Judy Seaman Gordon Sherman Gary Silver Lynette Slovensky Mary Somerville Stephen Sorg Alwyn Staley William Staples Kirby Starks Joelle Sterkowicz Elaine Tarkenton Matt and Jean Tarkenton Matthew Tarkenton Leeann Theriault Susan Tollison Frank W. Troup Charles Turpin Andrew Waguespack Alan Ware Angela White Edward Wile L. Neil Williams Neil Williams Carey Cox Wyatt Foundation

Join our networks www.facebook.com/youthvillages

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11

YOUTH VILLAGES

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

1777 Northeast Expressway NE, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30329

(Address Service Requested)

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 18,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami, Tampa Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: 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 Oregon: Portland Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.

New Heights Georgia is published by Youth Villages

Managing Editor: Mary Norman

Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail Mary.Norman@youthvillages.org or call 404-320-2969 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.

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.