New Heights North Carolina – Spring 2013

Community tips: Take time, be together ... 7

Congrats to our graduates in the TL program ... 5

Family Victories from Youth Villages North Carolina

Holiday Heroes turn holiday wishes into reality ... 6

Spring 2013

Home is best

For Eric, Youth Villages restores communication and happiness at home ... page 3

A message from our director Keeping children with their families helps ensure they have an opportunity to be successful The work we do is important, and it wouldn’t be

North Carolina LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Doug Cruitt — Winston-Salem Lee Prevost — Cary Elizabeth Skvarla — Pinehurst Tres Vance — Raleigh Kristin Wade — Charlotte John White — Durham Leigh Young — Asheville

possible without your help.

As the largest provider of Multisystemic Therapy in the state, we exceed national outcomes

Youth Villages North carolina offices

averages in all three categories: percent of youth living at home; percent of youth in school and/or

Asheville 38 Rosscraggon Road, Suite 38C Asheville, NC 28803 phone: 828-654-7700 fax: 828-654-7701

working; and percent of youth having no involvement with the law.

As the first organization to expand MST outside of clinical trials, Youth Villages is helping North Carolina children live successfully in their homes and with their families.

In this newsletter, we highlight such successes.

Eric’s grandmother said if it weren’t for Youth

Annie Smith

Villages, Eric may have “gone off the cliff.” But after receiving Youth Villages’ MST services, Eric and his family turned it around. Now he’s succeeding in school and at home (page 3).

Maria was having a difficult time at home. The house was cramped, and her mother, siblings and she were having problems communicating, with arguments often escalating to shouting matches. It affected Maria’s behavior at home and at school. But Maria and her family committed to making their life together better, and it’s made the family home a better place to live (page 4).

MST is built on the principle and scientific evidence that a seriously troubled child’s behavioral problems are multidimensional and must be confronted using multiple strategies. The serious behavior problems of a child typically stem from a combination of influences, including family factors, peer groups, problems in school or the community and individual characteristics. The MST model calls for simultaneously addressing all of those inter-related areas.

Our staff works tirelessly to help ensure children in our programs have a chance to succeed, and Maria and Eric are only a few of Youth Villages North Carolina’s success stories.

Thank you for supporting Youth Villages.

Annie Smith State Director annie.smith@youthvillages.org 910-673-8501

2 Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina

Boone 895 State Farm Road, Bldg. 500, Suite 506 Boone, NC 28607 phone: 828-268-7200 fax: 828-654-7201 Charlotte 2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230 Charlotte, NC 28217 phone: 704-357-7920 fax: 704-357-7921 Concord 363 Church St. North, Suite 200 Concord, NC 28025 phone: 704-262-1320 fax: 704-262-1322 Greensboro 7900 Triad Center, Suite 350 Greensboro, NC 27409 phone: 336-931-1800 fax: 336-931-1801 Greenville 2428 Charles Blvd.

Greenville, NC 27858 phone: 252-215-5700 fax: 252-215-5701 Pinehurst 5228 North Carolina Highway 211 P.O. Box 1138 West End, NC 27376 phone: 910-673-8520 fax: 910-673-8521 Raleigh-Durham 100 Capitola Dr., Suite 310 Durham, NC 27713 phone: 919-474-6400 fax: 919-474-6401

News & events 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.

100

Outcomes

Microsoft Grants More Than $7.4 Million to Youth Villages

At 12 12-month month Follow-up Follow up

80

84% In school or graduated

20

74% No involvement with the law

40

At home with family

60

84%

0

Microsoft has awarded a grant of more than $7.4 million in software and technology to Youth Villages, one of the nation’s largest providers of help to children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families.

The grant is part of Microsoft’s YouthSpark initiative, which is designed to create opportunities for 300 million youth around the world.

It will provide software and support on Youth Villages’ residential campuses, supply technology for young adults being helped through its transitional living program and improve the

The graph above represents the status of North Carolina youth at 12 months after discharge from Multisystemic Therapy services through December 2012. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 50 percent.

organization’s internal and external communications systems.

Recovery road less bumpy for Eric, family Pam’s seen quite a bit. So has her grandson, Eric.

Just 12 years old, Eric is on his way

Multisystemic Therapy has been demonstrated to be successful in helping young people ages 12 to 17 who

toward success. Part of this success

display serious antisocial behaviors

can be attributed to changes in the

and are at risk of placement out of the

home. Another part of his success can

home due to their behaviors.

be attributed to Youth Villages Family

One of the younger children in

Counselor Cindy Swartz, who worked

the home referred to Cindy as “our

with the family.

Cindy,” as she visited the home three

Eric with grandparents Pam and Peter

Eric’s grandparents, Pam and Peter,

times a week, sometimes more. Pam

adopted many children over the years,

said it helped having Cindy to speak

school has also made a commitment

and are now raising some of their chil-

with concerning certain issues.

to helping out.

dren’s children.

“We always wanted to adopt,” Pam said. “I had an aunt who adopted children and they were my cousins.”

Eric’s early years were very unsettled,

“It made a huge difference to have

“It’s nice for them to be able to point

her suggest solutions and talk through

out Eric’s positive behavior rather

things,” Pam said.

than the negative,” Cindy said. “Eric is

Eric felt left out when he was younger, and he needed help dealing with

very bright and has a lot of potential.”

“We caught him – MST caught him

and it resulted in behavior issues. When

that. But after working with Cindy, the

before he went off the cliff,” Pam said.

he came to Pam and Peter’s home, his

tension in the home eased. Eric began

“Before, our concern was on what he

older siblings quietly gave him the mes-

pursuing positive interests – he enjoys

was doing that wasn’t OK. Now, our

sage that they didn’t want him there.

drawing and reading. Pam and Peter

focus is on what he does right. It’s a

make more time for him, and his

much better place to be.”

“Eric wanted to be liked,” Pam said.

Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina 3

Success story For Maria, there’s no place like home Maria’s arguments with her mother were a daily occurrence. They escalated, sometimes becoming nearly physical. It wasn’t a good situation for Maria, 17, let alone her mother and four siblings.

“It was chaotic,” Pamela, Maria’s mother, said. “She would derail any attempts to make rules. Maria would disobey me and do things I told her not to do.”

Maria was cramped in a trailer home with her family, and had to take on a parenting role when Pamela began working more.

“Maria was troubled,” Youth Villages Multisystemic Therapy Counselor Leroy Payton said. “She would leave the home and go run around with a group of girls that weren’t a positive influ-

Maria speaks with Youth Villages Family Counselor Leroy Payton. She’s doing well in school and at home after learning better ways to communicate with her mother and sisters.

ence. She was getting kicked out of

saw that and it made a big difference

terrupted. He stayed calm during the

school two to three times per month.”

in her behavior.”

family sessions, which kept the family

It was affecting the home. The

In a small home with four girls,

at ease.

younger children began imitating the

disagreements can quickly get out of

behavior, arguing, fussing and not fol-

hand. Leroy showed the family how to

say it, and what I can do to stay calm,”

lowing home rules.

communicate and treat one another

Maria said. “Most importantly, we

so situations wouldn’t escalate to

worked on doing better.”

Maria was referred to Youth Villages’ MST in-home program.

“I was looking after the little kids a lot and always fussing,” Maria said.

shouting matches. Also, Maria needed

First, they worked to establish what they wanted to be different in the

deep affection for one another. Leroy

work.

said the family is like the Waltons

“Space was a big issue,” Leroy said.

when they aren’t arguing. Maria

“But mom was a champ, and gave

says school is fun again, and she has

Maria time to herself when she came

friends who help her stay on track.

home from school.”

After high school, she wants to go to

home.

Maria learned better ways to com-

“Mom wasn’t sure what to do at

They are a loving family, and have a

privacy so she could do her school-

“I wasn’t sure what to expect with Leroy.”

“We worked on what I say and how I

municate and strategies to cope with

culinary school.

“Maria’s polite and fun to be

first,” Leroy said. “But she did whatev-

frustrating situations. Leroy made

around,” Leroy said. “She’s come a

er it took, taking my suggestions and

sure every family member had an

long way.”

implementing them right away. Maria

opportunity to speak without being in-

E

Best of all, Maria likes to be at home.

videntiary Family Restoration™ is Youth Villages’ approach to helping our nation’s most vulnerable and troubled children. All our programs and services operate under this approach, which emphasizes family, measurement, community, intensity and accountability. It is built on the evidence that sustainable long-term success for troubled children is most consistently achieved by restoring a supportive family system around each child. It is optimally the child’s original family. It may be an adoptive family. Whatever form the family takes, it is the vital element for preventing recidivism and destructive behaviors.

4 Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina

News & events Congratulations to our TL youth who recently earned their GED or high school diploma

Alexis

Debinnar

Desiree

Travis

Local Foundations Support Greensboro Foster Youth More than 60 children age out of foster care every

Youth Villages transitional liVing Program 10-Year rePort

lina child enters foster care?

As these youth turn 18 and “age out” of care, the

Youth Villages’ transi-

statistics are staggering.

tional living program is designed to significantly reduce the risk of homelessness, poverty and illegal behavior among these young adults. Budget

helPing former foster children b e c o m e s u c c e s s f u l a d u lt s

YV_TLP_10YR_Report_FINAL4.indd 1

9/12/12 1:45 PM

www.youthvillages.org

it challenging to annually serve 36 youth across the Greensboro area.

Fortunately, Youth Villages’ positive and lasting results earned the attention and subsequent generosity of several North Carolina foundations.

Thanks to the follow-

Matthew

Did you know that every eight hours, a North Caro-

rounding counties.

tition for funds have made

Linzy

Creating Hope for the Future

year in Guilford and sur-

cuts and increased compe-

Samantha

Check out Youth Villages’ transitional living program 10-Year Report on our website.

• One in three will experience homelessness.

• Forty-five percent will get in trouble with the law.

• Nearly half will leave foster care without a job and/or high school diploma or equivalent.

With a single gift of $42, you can invest in the future of our young people by granting them one day of intensive in-home support and guidance.

Help these youth find the support they deserve to begin a college career, learn how to manage finances, enter a job training program, obtain health insurance, access community resources and reunite with their families if possible.

ing foundations for their generous support of the transitional living pro-

Foundation and the Hills-

gram: Bank of America

dale Fund. Their combined

Charitable Foundation,

support has allowed Youth

The Cemala Foundation,

Villages to continue serv-

Richard W. Jennings Foun-

ing Greensboro youth as

dation, Nancye F. Markle

they make a successful

Charitable Trust, Sisters of

transition from foster care

Mercy of North Carolina

to adulthood.

How can you help?

Visit youthvillages.org/donate to make a contribution or complete the pledge card enclosed in this newsletter.

Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina 5

Volunteers and donors in action Holiday Heroes

Wish List Warrior

Thank you to all Holiday Heroes who helped turn thousands of holiday wishes into reality for more than 200 children across North Carolina. Your generosity made sure the families receiving help at Youth Villages got to build holiday memories to last a lifetime.

Cheer Maker Turner Asphalt Inc.

Holiday Helper North Carolina Department of Correction — Inmate Trust Fund Rapha Family Footcare

Gift Guardian CB Richard Ellis Corporate Landscape MGMT of NC Inc. North Carolina Commercial Advisors Progressive Computer Systems SciMetrika UNC Charlotte Graduate Business School

Folks in Charlotte celebrate at the second annual Holiday Heroes event, held at World of Beer – South End.

Our Family campaign: going all-out to help kids

BackPack Heroes The 2012 school year kicked off on the right track for 90 youth across North Carolina during

In September

Youth Villages’ Back-

2012, Youth Vil-

pack Heroes program.

lages’ employees

Initiatives were held

across North Caro-

in Charlotte, Concord,

lina joined forces as

Greensboro and Raleigh-

one team, sharing one dream — to help families live successfully. Olympic-style events brought out the

Team Super Six from the Pinehurst office gets ready for OFC Olympics.

Thank you to our sponsors: BlackFinn Charlotte Hokies Horizon MedCorp

Durham. Generous

SciMetrika

sponsors completed

UNC Charlotte Gradu-

school supply wish-lists

ate Business School

with more than 500 sup-

AdvanceCo Inc.

plies and nearly $1,000 donated.

Youth Villages Counselor Erin Davis gathers school supplies for her families.

competitive edge in staff, from office chair relay races to brain teasers. Once the medals were handed out, employees came together for the benefit of children, families and Youth Villages’ staff by generously donating more than $53,000 to the Our Family Campaign.

6 Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina

For information on how to get involved, contact Stephanie Hoyle at 704-357-7943 or Stephanie.Hoyle@youthvillages.org.

News & events YV Community Tips:

Take time, be together

A Note of Thanks To all those who have supported our work in North Carolina though a leader-

Spending time with your family not only builds memories but

ship gift during the last year, thank you.

positively affects your child’s wellbeing. Get started by participat-

Your continued generosity allows us to

ing in these low-budget activities suggested by Youth Villages’ MST

provide the most effective services to

consultants:

children and families.

Eat family meals together Teens who eat meals with their parents are less likely to have sex at young ages, participate in fights, use drugs, get suspended from school or have thoughts of suicide. This time together also improves family communication and family connections.

Volunteer together The possibilities are limitless. Volunteer to rake an elderly neighbor’s yard, pick up trash or help at a nursing home. Volunteering with your child teaches empathy and self-sacrifice. It also gives you an opportunity to build positive experiences together.

Create an art project Create appreciation or holiday cards to send overseas to the military. You can send the cards to the following address: Military Missions Inc., 3650 Boston Rd., Suite 146, Lexington, KY 40514. Make a wreath for your front door out of branches and pinecones. All it takes is some glue, ribbon and spray paint. Make a “family talk” box to pull out conversation topics at the dinner table.

Exercise together Parents who exercise with their kids teach the importance of an active lifestyle (emotional and physical health) and may influence them to participate in physical activities with their peers.

Train for a 5K together, play basketball at a community park, have jump rope competitions, race around the block or do sit-ups during commercial breaks if watching TV together.

Learn more about YV Looking for an expert on behavioral or mental health?

Contact Stephanie Hoyle at stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org or 704-357-7943 to ask how a Youth Villages expert can benefit your organization or community group.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation The Cemala Foundation The Duke Endowment Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation Hillsdale Fund Inc. The Nancye Fleming Markle Charitable Foundation The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation Richard W. Jennings Foundation Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. CAVU Wealth Advisors Cenplex Building Services Corporate Landscape MGMT of NC Great American Professional Risk Insurance North Carolina Commercial Services NC Department of Correction Progressive Computer Systems Inc. Rapha Family Footcare Synergy Commercial Advisors TEKsystems Inc. Turner Asphalt Inc. Mr. Todd Barlow Mr. Doug Cruitt Mr. Michael Farasy Mr. Robert Graham Mr. Glen Graves Mrs. Iris Green Mr. Kenneth Guynn Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Honeycutt Mr. Douglas Miskew Ms. Joyce Neely Mr. Kenneth Oesch Mr. and Mrs. Lee Prevost Mr. Alan Russell Mr. and Mrs. John Skvarla Mr. and Mrs. Toby Summerour Mr. Daniel Uttaro Ms. Kristin Wade Mr. John White Mr. Tres Vance Mr. and Mrs. David Young

Stay in touch online youthvillages.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/youthvillages

To find out if Youth Villages can help you with a child in your care, contact Sarah O’Reilly at sarah.o’reilly@youthvillages.org, call 704-

www.facebook.com/youthvillages

357-7946, or visit www.youthvillages.org/referring-professionals.aspx www.youthvillages.org

to fill out a confidential questionnaire.

Spring 2013

n

New Heights

n

North Carolina 7

YOUTH VILLAGES 2815 Coliseum Centre Drive, Suite 230 Charlotte, NC 28217 (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 Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, 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 Oregon: Portland Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.

New Heights North Carolina is published by Youth Villages

Managing Editor: Stephanie Hoyle

Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail Stephanie.Hoyle@youthvillages.org or call 704-357-7943 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to providing the most effective local solutions to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. We help 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.