SCHOOLBASED EFFORTS A PLAN TO SUPPORT ATRISK YOUTH

SCHOOL-BASED EFFORTS: A PLAN TO SUPPORT AT-RISK YOUTH Donna Loyd EDU 644 Child and Family Welfare Instructor : Karen Conzett March 1, 2015

INTRODUCTION The role I have assumed is a state social worker collaborating with schools to assist at-risk families with school aged children. The presentation is aimed students in grades 1 -5. The purpose of this presentation is to inform teachers, parents, and the community on services and resources available to all student ages but specifically ages that consists of grades 1 -5 when the services can benefit students at their most critical time in education and life development.

YOUTH AT RISK Students at risk include; - special needs students - economic hardships - exposure to violence - drugs - alcohol - family make-up changing, - lack of community support - At Risk Youth Programs (2014) states “Studies show that an at-risk child who has a strong bond with a trusted and helpful mentor is far less likely to get into trouble and far more likely to do well in their school work”. - The National Center for School Engagement (NCSE). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/ At Risk Youth Programs (2014). http: //www. atriskyouthprograms. com/youth-programs/mentoring-at-riskyouth. html

EFFECTS AND IMPLICATIONS Effects Implications 7 behaviors of at-risk students Short Term; quitting school, juvenile detention centers, poor academic results. Neglected at home, stressful family environment Involved with delinquent peers Abuse; mentally, physically, sexually Lack of social or emotional support Homeless or transient Drugs/alcohol Mental illness Long Term; Imprisonment, long term drug and alcohol abuse, long term incarceration, lack of employment, failed relationships. The National Center for School Engagement (NCSE). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/

SOLUTIONS - CREATE A FRAMEWORK Initiating self assessment programs Collaborating with parents, teachers, support staff and students Increase community involvement with schools Teachers collaborate with counselors, therapists, and support staff with building individual plans for student achievement Introducing and educating all involved on local resources available to students, families, and school staff. According to Starr (n. d. ) “Research shows that children are more likely to succeed academically and are less likely to engage in violent behavior if their families are involved in their education. Many parents say, however, that they feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in their children's schools”(p. 1). The National Center for School Engagement (NCSE). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/

SOLUTIONS: INTEGRATING A FRAMEWORK NCSE “staff provides customized services to help you develop and evaluate student support programs that fit your local strengths, needs, context and budget. We are happy to work with a range of program and consultant budgets, so all inquiries are welcome. We support your work with the following services: Conduct needs assessments Share research on best practices Provide examples of programs with similar goals that have been successful elsewhere Identify and recruit community partners Facilitate meetings throughout the development and early implementation phases of your program Lay the groundwork for an evaluation that will meet funders’ requirements and help you improve your performance”(para 1). Program Development. Retrieved March 1 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/schoolengagement-services/program-development

PARTICIPANT ACTIVITY The engaging activity I would promote would include having participants divide into groups. Intertwine their ideas, questions, examples, previous knowledge, and other ideas or concerns and present them to myself and other staff in an after meeting of the presentation. The activity would answer questions and offer examples in creating an engaging program that would cover areas of concern for parents, students, staff, and support staff. The National Center for School Engagement (NCSE). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/

REFERENCES At Risk Youth Programs (2014). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //www. atriskyouthprograms. com/youth-programs/mentoring-at-risk-youth. html Program Development. Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/school-engagement-services/program-development Serving At- Risk Students. Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/school-engagement-services/at-risk-youth Starr. K (n. d. ). A Dozens Activities to Promote Parent Involvement: Education. World. Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //www. educationworld. com/a_curr/curr 200. shtml#sthash. 9 s 5 q 2 NYS. dpuf The National Center for School Engagement (NCSE). Retrieved March 1, 2015 from http: //schoolengagement. org/