Issuu

SPRING 2022

New

HEIGHTS FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES

MILITARY CELEBRATION INNER HARBOUR STAFF HONORS CHILDREN OF MILITARY FAMILIES DURING MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• INTERCEPT® RATED “WELL-SUPPORTED” • SHA’KYRA WRITES TO HEAL • THE IMPACT OF BRAIN-BASED SERVICES • DONOR SPOTLIGHT: COOK FAMILY

UPDATE

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Springtime in Georgia is a beautiful season where we are reminded of new life and new beginnings. We are hopeful that the children and families we serve have a chance at new beginnings, integrating the therapeutic information, treatment services and coping skills education they receive in our work together. In this newsletter you will learn about our Neuropsychiatric Services and the incredible impact it makes when we can incorporate the activity in the brain into our treatment and education plans. You will meet Win Cook, our current Youth Villages Georgia advisory board chair, and learn about his dedication through volunteer service to our organization and our mission. You will also learn about how we celebrate Month of the Military Child, and the youth on our residential campus who are part of military families. Our Intercept® program, which serves children and families through intensive in-home therapeutic support, was recently rated as “well-supported” by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. The rating comes after two studies led by Dr. Fred Wulczyn’s team from the Center for State Child Welfare Data at Chapin Hall at The University of Chicago. The studies found that the Intercept model’s comprehensive in-home services had positive impacts on placement prevention and on reunification with family after placement in foster care. Intercept is now one of only 12 programs to earn the “well-supported” distinction from the Clearinghouse. You will hear one of the many success stories of this program and see how we are serving through our in-home services, in our Georgia communities. We are ever mindful of how instrumental your part is in our work through sharing it with others and through your support. There is incredible and indepth work being done for the mental health and well-being of the children and families we serve. We are grateful for your help in our continued growth and success. May you and yours be safe, well and may you enjoy spring!

Tanya Anderson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GEORGIA tanya.anderson@youthvillages.org 770-852-6238

GEORGIA ADVISORY BOARD Edwin Cook, Board Chair Ms. Amy Baillie Mr. Don Crampton Mr. Bruce Hein Mr. Brian Holloway Mrs. Dara Mann Ms. Adrienne Mittons Mr. Robert L. Rearden III Mr. Bob Snelling Mr. Matthew Tarkenton, Youth Villages National Board Member Mr. Paul Zachos

Youth Villages is a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, committed to building strong families, delivering effective services and significantly improving outcomes for children, families and young people involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems across the country. Founded in 1986, the organization’s 3,400 employees help more than 32,000 children annually in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations.

How are we doing? We’d love to hear feedback from you, so we can continue to improve and give you content you enjoy. Use this QR code to complete our survey.

YOUTH VILLAGES INTERCEPT EARNS “WELLSUPPORTED” RATING FEDERAL FUNDING WILL EXPAND PROGRAM TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The Youth Villages Intercept program model recently achieved an important milestone earning the “wellsupported” rating from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. The rating allows states to receive federal funding to pay for our effective in-home program that strengthens and restores families and reduces the need for foster care or out-of-home care. Intercept is one of only 12 models in the country to receive this highest rating. “Nearly 30 years ago, Youth Villages made intensive inhome services the foundation of everything we do,” said CEO Patrick Lawler. “This endorsement is a testament to the work of thousands of family intervention specialists and will enable the expansion of the program through direct services and implementing agency partners to help more children and families across the country.” Every year, more than four million families across the country find themselves at a difficult crisis point that could cause a child to be placed in foster care or an out-of-home treatment program. Family intervention specialists intercept struggling families, helping them find their way to well-being with behavioral and emotional health interventions for the child and systemic support for every member of the family. Last year, Intercept helped more than 10,000 families in 13 states. Youth Villages began intensive in-home services in 1995, through initial funding from the Plough Foundation, and the Intercept program has become an integral part of positive change in child welfare systems in the states where it serves. The rating is based on two studies led by Dr. Fred Wulczyn’s team from the Center for State Child Welfare

YOUTH VILLAGES GEORGIA

334

TOTAL YOUTH SERVED FOR FISCAL YEAR TO DATE

PROGRAM OUTCOMES ONE YEAR AFTER DISCHARGE

89%

OVERALL SATISFACTION AT DISCHARGE *

88%

IN SCHOOL, GRADUATED OR EMPLOYED **

* Only includes youth who received at least 60 days of service. ** Please interpret these percentages with caution, as they represent fewer than 100 youth.

Data at Chapin Hall at The University of Chicago. The studies found that Intercept had positive impacts on preventing placement in foster care and helping children achieve permanency quickly if out-of-home care is necessary. The evaluations concluded: Intercept continues on page 13

Lacey Jackson, Sgt. Jonathan Ingram, Marsha Taylor and Joe Johnson pause for a picture after presenting youth with their MOMC certificates.

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD AT INNER HARBOUR Honoring youth and staff who are part of military families and bringing awareness of the impact of military service in our community

April is the Month of the Military Child (MOMC) and on our Inner Harbour campus, we celebrate the children who are in our care from military families. Military families give so much to our country and communities, while their children share their parents with us all. We celebrate all service branches and how they have impacted our lives, broadened our perspectives and helped us make new friends all over the globe. “It is therapeutic for military children to celebrate the month and understand their service to our country,” said Lacey Jackson, Youth Villages Regional Representative, who plans and facilitates the MOMC celebration month along with Director of Referral Relations Marsha Taylor. “Based on a youth’s history and family dynamics, there can be a correlation between the peak of a youth’s behavior and their parent’s deployment.” Each April, we ask for pictures of our staff, their family or loved ones who have served, and we create a Hero Wall (see right) in the main hallway of our

Dr. William Fulton, Regis Harris and Richard Shaw purple up for MOMC on the Inner Harbour campus.

administration building. This gives us a visual reminder of how many lives those in service have touched and it allows us the opportunity to honor them. We also have a map that shows where the military has taken our youth and staff. This allows us to see how far-reaching military service really is and how much of the world’s influence has shaped the people in our Inner Harbour community. We engage our community in MOMC by inviting individuals who have had a military career to our campus to share their experiences with our youth. This opportunity promotes the

real-life stories of our military service men and women and gives our youth a broader lens to look at service than the one they have experienced. Another way our youth participate in the MOMC celebration is by sharing their artwork for a poster contest where they are encouraged to express what military service means to them. Members of our Youth Villages Georgia board and staff select the winners in various age categories. Participants receive a gift, and winners receive lunch from an area restaurant. “All of our kids at Youth Villages have been through a lot,” Taylor said. “However, military kids experience hardships others may find unrelatable. Throughout this month, we want to say that we see you, and we honor you for your sacrifice. It’s imperative that we bring this sentiment to light.” “The impact is clear,” Taylor added. “They stand just a little bit taller, and they are proud, sometimes for the first time, that they serve their country too. Our ability to do that for them makes a world of difference.” (left) Youth Villages staff member Marquis Moody “Purples Up” in front of the Hero Wall.

Sha’Kyra was thrilled to receive a laptop for school from donors to Youth Villages’ Backpack Heroes program.

HEALING THROUGH WORDS Sometimes, the closest people to us—family and friends—don’t understand. They may think they know the situation better than anyone, even the person who is suffering. Instead of helping that person, it may lead to further issues. When she was 12 years old, Sha’Kyra went through a similar experience with the passing of her grandfather. Everyone thought they knew what was best for her. Sha’Kyra, an introvert, tried other ways—mostly negative— to handle her grief. Sha’Kyra’s grandparents gained full custody when she was 2 because her mother was unable to financially care for her. While in her grandparents’ care, she and her grandfather developed a special relationship. She was his favorite. When he passed away, her life turned upside down.

“After months of working with us, it opened her [Tonya’s] eyes about how helpful mental health services can be, and that grief shouldn’t be pushed down... to see how far they’ve come is really cool.” Devon Martinez Regional Supervisor Youth Villages

“When her grandfather passed, Sha’Kyra suffered trauma and went into depression,” said Devon Martinez, Youth Villages Regional Supervisor who worked with her near the end of her treatment. The way Sha’Kyra dealt with her grandfather’s death affected her actions at school, where she faced disciplinary incidents and bullying on a regular basis. Her home life wasn’t any better. Her grandmother Tonya’s outspoken personality engulfed her shy nature. This built more communication barriers between them. Sha’Kyra was referred to Youth Villages Intercept. The program intercepts families at a critical crossroad—serious mental health needs of a child, family substance abuse or neglect, a child’s juvenile court charges—and gives the comprehensive support needed to keep the family together. Despite Tonya not being “all-in,” Sha’Kyra began the sessions, and the family didn’t miss any. As the sessions continued, she shared more about the relationship with her grandmother before and after her grandfather’s death. For the next step, the specialist recommended she write about her feelings in a trauma narrative and read it to Tonya. Seven months into the program, she did that. It was Sha’Kyra’s narrative that started Tonya not only believing the program was working but also seeing their relationship mending. “Sha’Kyra conquered that fear about the relationship with her grandmother,” Devon said. “Tonya learned to listen and trust.” Their home life improved. In only a month after sharing her trauma narrative, Sha’Kyra was discharged from services. “After months of working with us, it opened her (Tonya’s) eyes about how helpful mental health services can be,” Devon said. “To see how far they’ve come is really cool.”

BRAIN-BASED SERVICES IMPACTING MENTAL HEALTH

Youth receives brain-based services on the Inner Harbour campus.

For more than 15 years, Neuropsychiatric Services (NPS) has been an integral part of the treatment process for our Georgia residential programs. Surprisingly, in the field of mental and behavioral health, brain chemistry and function are often neglected in assessments. At Youth Villages, we include brain-based services in treatment protocol and utilize this information to create individualized treatment and educational plans for the youth in our care. With more than 3,100 sessions completed in 2021, we saw firsthand just how impactful these holistic services are on the cognitive and behavioral health needs of children.

“When you see the progress a child makes when they discharge and you get a report of how well they are doing,

“The impact of the work at Youth Villages definitely encourages me to continue helping create a better quality of life for the youth.” Chris Raines Neuropsychiatric Services Manager Youth Villages, Inner Harbour Campus

Chris Raines, Youth Villages Neuropsychiatric Services Manager, and youth in the Neuro Lab at Inner Harbour.

I know that the work we are doing is improving their quality of life,” said Chris Raines, Youth Villages Neuropsychiatric Services Manager at the Inner Harbour campus. The Inner Harbour Neuro Lab offers Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) assessments, or “brain mapping,” to analyze the electrical and functional status of the youth’s brain. This information helps identify what brain regions have excessive or deficient activity, and which brain game activities will help bring their brain back into a balanced and healthy state. We routinely share these findings with the youth, their clinical and education staff, and caregivers to create the best interventions academically and therapeutically. Youth visit the Neuro Lab weekly and participate in neurofeedback, neuro cognitive practices, and Alpha Stim, which all help improve brain function. Over several sessions, cognitive and behavioral patterns begin to recalibrate, bringing a sense of calm and ease to the brain and body. Since neural pathways are consistently developing over time, results can be detected after as few as two to four sessions, with significant improvements

after eight sessions. By understanding how their brain works, youth recognize how they learn best and ways to advocate for themselves in therapy, the classroom, and in their community. On a qEEG brain map, the effects of emotional trauma (such as abuse or neglect) can be seen almost identically to the way you would see a physical trauma to the brain. While at Inner Harbour, youth work through their emotional trauma narratives, and with the addition of brain-based services to their treatment plans, they can feel, see and experience a restored sense of mental health. “You don’t always know what impact you are having,” Raines said. “But, when youth contact you, years after they have been at Youth Villages, and thank you for helping them become who they are, you are reminded that the work we are doing helps them live a life they may not have had. The impact of the work at Youth Villages definitely encourages me to continue helping create a better quality of life for the youth.”

COOK FAMILY GIVES BACK

Youth Villages Georgia Board Chairman, Win Cook, his wife Stephanie, and sons James and Charlie.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT WIN COOK IS IN HIS FINAL YEAR AS BOARD CHAIR FOR THE YOUTH VILLAGES GEORGIA ADVISORY BOARD. HIS LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN CRITICAL TO THE ORGANIZATION’S RECENT SUCCESS. WIN SHARES WHY HIS FAMILY FEELS SO CONNECTED TO THE WORK OF YOUTH VILLAGES. How did you and your family become involved with Youth Villages? Our family first became involved with Youth Villages in 2006, when my wife, Stephanie, began working as an Intercept family intervention specialist for Youth Villages in its Nashville and Dickson, Tennessee, offices. This was Stephanie’s first full-time job in mental health, and it was a transformative experience. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and everything she told me about the Intercept program made so much sense that I was surprised that more social welfare organizations were not using similar evidence-based approaches to help families. After a year with Intercept, Stephanie was promoted to supervisor and helped Youth Villages launch a statewide mentoring initiative in Tennessee, which she led until returning to graduate school in Georgia to receive a Master of Social Work degree. Once we moved to Atlanta, I began looking for volunteer opportunities, and soon discovered a local Youth Villages office. I joined the Georgia board shortly afterward, and we’ve been supporting Youth Villages ever since!

members the guidance, support and access to resources they need to help children thrive. Youth Villages’ embrace of evidence-based approaches and data tracking to figure out “what works” also sets it apart from other nonprofits with lofty ideals that lack concrete performance metrics. Most of all, the staff and volunteers of Youth Villages have the most generous and caring hearts of any group of people I know, and their compassion for the families and children they serve are amazing.

You’re finishing up your term as board chair for Youth Villages Georgia advisory board this June. What was that experience like, serving as a top volunteer leader for the organization? It’s been an honor to support the staff and volunteers of Youth Villages in the incredible work that they are doing every single day here in Georgia. I often tell people that asking others to support Youth Villages is the easiest request I make every year. I deeply believe in Youth Villages’ mission, and I’ve felt privileged to play a small role in helping the children and families it supports.

Why should someone consider becoming more involved with Youth Villages? Almost every social ill you can imagine has its roots in a suffering child. Severe emotional and behavioral issues are really a desperate cry for help, and Youth Villages gives these children and their families the skills, support and love they need to create a stable and loving family environment. This breaks a generational cycle of dysfunction and creates happy and functional adults. Therefore, if you want to help children in a way that transforms society and lasts for generations, support Youth Villages!

What do you think sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families? Youth Villages understands that helping children with emotional and behavioral challenges requires a focus on the entire family, such as giving caregivers and family

GEORGIA CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN JULY 1 THROUGH DEC. 31, 2021

LEADER

10,000 to $24,999

The John and Mary Franklin Foundation Mrs. Elizabeth and Mr. Matthew Rose

PROTECTOR 5,000 to $9,999

MENTORS PROVIDE POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR YOUTH Mentoring is a calling to be of service to a young person during a pivotal time in their development. One of our treasured mentors is GerryAnne Jean (right), who has been working at the Inner Harbour campus for four years and recently became a mentor for an incredibly talented and gifted young lady, Shontavia (left). Together, they have built a positive relationship through time spent together developing trust. From eating their favorite foods to getting henna tattoos, GerryAnne has been a consistent and encouraging supporter.

GreyStone Power Foundation J.C. Kennedy Foundation United Way of Greater Atlanta Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation

BUILDER

1,000 to $4,999

Anonymous Jeannie and Matt Beckett Family Fund Dan and Merrie Boone Foundation Bright Wings Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Campbell Mr. Philip Clinch Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Consolidated Planning Mr. and Mrs. Philip Davis The Denyse Cares Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Leslie Nunn Georgia Power Foundation Mr. Bruce Hein Metro West Citizens of Georgia Power Ms. Lauren Hunter Kiwanis Foundation of Atlanta Mr. Clay Lee Richard C. Munroe Foundation Operation Christmas Publix Super Markets Charities QuikTrip Corporation Glen P. and Laura Mae Robinson Foundation Robinson Family Foundation Tull Charitable Foundation

Southwire Company Mr. Shawn Stewart Mr. Matthew Tarkenton

FRIEND 500 to 999

Mr. Dave Albano Ms. Brenda Ambrosius Ms. Amy Baillie Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cook Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Goodendorf Mr. Matt Goudreau Mr. Bryan Knight Mr. and Mrs. Xavier Mann

Mr. Robert Matsuishi Mr. Robert Rearden, III $

100 to $499

Ms. Ashley Akins Ms. Valerie Alford Mr. and Mrs. Brad & Kim Ascar AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign Ms. Trenie Baker Ms. Janell Banks Mr. Justin Barry Ms. Beverly Benton

Donors continue on page 14

THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.

JOIN OUR EFFORTS

BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES Make a gift, mentor or volunteer to support our Youth Villages Georgia programs. Your support makes an incredible impact in the lives of hundreds of children we serve each day in Georgia.

GET INVOLVED Gifts of Cash, Appreciated Stock, Planned Gifts, Corporate or Foundation Donors The Banks are proud of their family’s success with the assistance of our Intercept program.

Matt Jarrard, Director of Development, Georgia matthew.jarrard@youthvillages.org | 678-978-0520

Intercept continued

Community Engagement, Events & Volunteering

Placement: Intercept reduced the chances of out-of-home placement by 53% following the first maltreatment investigation. The effect of Intercept was sustained at six and 12 months after Intercept services ended. Permanency: Compared to a matched comparison group, after controlling for how long they were in care, the odds of achieving permanency were approximately 24% higher for the Intercept group. Placement–A Second Look: Examining a more recent sample of youth, Intercept reduced the chances of out-of-home placement by 37% following a maltreatment investigation. Note that the observation window was shorter for this study, which may partially account for the difference in findings. The Clearinghouse—established by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services— conducts objective and transparent reviews of research on programs and services intended to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements. It determines what services can be funded under the Family First Prevention Services Act.

Kimmy Yon, Community Engagement Manager kimmy.yon@youthvillages.org | 404-667-1334

Become a Mentor Katrina Word, Mentor Program Manager katrina.word@youthvillages.org | 404-695-9159

STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE twitter.com/youthvillages facebook.com/youthvillages instagram.com/youthvillages linkedin.com/company/youth-villages youtube.com/youthvillages

YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG

Our Inner Harbour youth in Douglasville, Georgia flying their kites to new exciting heights.

Donors continued

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas and Christina Blum Mr. Wayne Bradley Dr. Victor Brown Mr. Ian Byrnside Judge Barbara Caldwell Mrs. Deedra Cook Dr. Jocelyn Cox Mr. Donald Crampton Mr. Patrick Crouch Custard Insurance Adjusters Ms. Susan Davis Ms. Jennifer Dempsey Mr. Alexander Denton Mr. Jim Frazier Frazier-Deeter, LLC Ms. Gina Gondron Mr. Rutledge Gordon Ms. Helen Graham Ms. Laura Grindley Mr. James Haddle Mr. David Hall Mr. Dustin Hall

Ms. Margaret Head Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hein Mr. Hannibal Heredia Mr. and Mrs. Mac and Kathleen Hodgson Ms. Anna Hook Ms. Chris Hughey Mr. Joshua Ireland Mr. Kyle Jarzmik Mr. Howard Jeck Ms. Abby Johnson Ms. Jasmine Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jones Mr. Johnny Latzak Ms. Deborah Lempogo Ms. Frances Lewis Ms. Helen Lewis Mr. Charmaine Martin Ms. Ann Marie McGaughey Mr. Scott Mclain Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Kimberly Clark Matching Gifts Ms. Adrienne Mittons

Mrs. Amy Mock Ms Sondra Morrissey Ms. Sharon Mueller Mr. Nick Olaya Mr. Justin Oliverio Mr. Scott Patman Mr. Wendell Peete Ms. Anna Pinder Ms. Kristin Popp-Inegbedion Mr. Scott Rafshoon Ms. Angela Ramson Dr. Sanaz Rezaei-Vaughn Mrs. Heather Rivera Mr. Diya Sandeep Ms. Kaitlyn Shipskie Ms. Julie Sinisgalli Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Paula Snelling Ms. Dana Stilley Mr. Matt Swift Mr. Jonathan Taunton Mrs. Jolanda Walther

BECOME A BACKPACK HERO BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE

Every child deserves a great education. They’re counting on heroes like you for that opportunity. A new backpack full of school supplies truly can have a profound impact on a child’s learning experience. You can be a Youth Villages Backpack Hero by donating backpacks filled with school supplies or making a financial contribution to support a child in your community. Visit our website to check out our wish list items, and consider hosting an in-kind drive with your family or company to support the young people in our care.

youthvillages.org Information | Online Donations | Wish Lists

YOUTH VILLAGES

NONPROFIT ORG

4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

(Address Service Requested)

YOUTH VILLAGES

Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 32,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Searcy, West Memphis, Fort Smith Florida: Lakeland Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis, Madison Louisiana: Metairie Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester, Plymouth North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville, Wilmington Ohio: Worthington Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa Oregon: Bend, Portland, Salem Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C. New Heights Georgia is published by Youth Villages Prefer not to receive a printed newsletter? Email cynthia.vanelli@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-5000. To also receive a digital copy of our newsletters and join our email list, sign up at youthvillages.org/stay-informed.