For Youth Serving Agencies

Spring/Summer 2008

What's In This Issue

Kristal S. Nicholson, MA,
Cynethia Rayford, MEd, Editors

Welcome to JPTP E-News!

It is our goal to provide youth serving agencies and their staff with news you can use! Please utilize this resource and tell others about this wonderful opportunity to get up-to-date and relevant information about the field of youth work.For more information about the Juvenile Personnel Training Program go to www.nrcys.ou.edu/programs/jptp.shtml.

JPTP News & Events

2008 Professionalizing Youth Work in Oklahoma a Great Success!
The University of Oklahoma OUTREACH National Resource Center for Youth Services and the Juvenile Personnel Training Program, in collaboration with a diverse group of public and private agencies, coordinated the third annual "Professionalizing Youth Work in Oklahoma" conference on June 10, 2008 at the Radisson Tulsa Airport. The goal of the conference was to raise awareness of child and youth workers on the benefits of professionalizing youth work in the state of Oklahoma.

This year's conference entitled The Other 23 Hours: Strengthening the Foundation, brought over 225 child and youth workers from across the state from nearly 70 different agencies and youth serving organizations. As the title suggests, the focus of the conference was to provide participants additional skills and tools necessary to be a successful child and youth worker. A variety of skill-building workshop topics were offered to attendees including: Connecting with Kids Who Outsmart Adults, Beyond Trauma: Experiences that Heal, Reducing Power Struggles, and Ethics for the Youth Care Professional. Panel presentations discussing the day-to-day experiences of youth workers and the view of young people who have experiences in care, rounded out the conference agenda.

Thanks to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Unit, each participant received a resource toolkit to add to their professional libraries. The toolkit focused on the unique aspects of youth work, providing group experiences and connecting with young people. Books included: Smart Moves that Successful Youth Workers Make, Tag, You're It! 50 Easy Ways to Connect with Young People, Skillstreaming the Adolescent: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills, and Team-building Activities for Every Group.

Keynote addresses were provided by Dr. John Seita and Dr. Keith Bailey, nationally known speakers and champions in the field of youth work. Dr. Seita spent most of his youth in multiple foster homes and group care settings. He has published several books and articles on resilience factors. His most recent book, Kids Who Outwit Adults, is co-authored with Dr. Larry Brendtro and deals with troubled but gifted youth. Dr. Seita's presentation built on his unique perspective to the work and was well received by the conference attendees.

Dr. Keith A. Bailey, is no stranger to Oklahoma youth workers, having worked with the Child Welfare League of America in the presentation of "Reducing Seclusion and Restraint" workshops throughout the state. Dr. Bailey has worked with children and youth in a variety of settings for over 20 years. His keynote address explored how we as youth workers help young people establish a sense of safety in our agencies.

The luncheon speakers, Representative Jeannie McDaniel and Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre voiced their legislative support for the profession of youth work and encouraged participants to become involved by making their legislatures aware of the needs of this very important profession.

To celebrate the accomplishments of youth workers, the annual Youth Worker of the Year awards, were presented during the luncheon. The awards were again sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services (OAYS). This year, over 24 youth work professionals were nominated in the eight categories. The nominees represented a variety of practice settings and truly reflected professional youth work, demonstrating skill and knowledge in the competency areas unique to this field. Representatives from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth reviewed the nominations and made the final selection in each category. Congratulations to the many youth workers that were nominated for all of the categories. The winners were:

James Billbury, Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau, Youth Care Professional Newcomer of the Year

Keith Speer, Genesis Project, Youth Care Professional of the Year (working with ages 6-12)

Dahran Goudeau, Parkside Tulsa Center for Adolescent Treatment, Youth Care Professional of The Year (working with ages 13-18)

Amber Given, Peppers Ranch, Youth Care Professional Supervisor of the Year

Todd Madland, Genesis Project, Youth Care Professional Administrator of the Year

Dr. John Poarch, Peppers Ranch, Youth Care Volunteer of the Year

Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Supporting Organization/Corporation of the Year

James Billbury, a probation officer with the Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau and winner in the Newcomer of the Year category commented: "It was a pleasant surprise to win an award for my work with young people. I am so excited about the work Oklahoma is doing in regards to youth care work."

Other winners were also surprised with their big win. Dahran Goudeau, from Parkside Tulsa Center for Adolescent Treatment was "really surprised that I won an award. I felt so honored. I love what I do." Dahran was recognized for always going above and beyond in his work. His initiative and self direction has resulted in many positive outcomes for Parkside. This year he was instrumental in bringing Bill Cosby in to speak with the young people in their care.

Some of the overall participant comments from the evaluations reflected the training was, "very informative with great speakers", "excellent conference", "helpful to interact with others who work in your same field", "learned some very valuable information", "speakers were helpful and made me realize reality", "great workshop topics", and "thank you for this great opportunity". If you are interested in becoming part of the planning committee for next year's conference, please contact Kristal Nicholson at knicholson@ou.edu

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Research & Promising Practices

Do Points and Level Systems Really Work?
The use of points and level systems has often been a controversial topic in the field of youth work. Youth workers from around the world discuss their opinions and provide thought-provoking rationales for consideration. Resource articles are included to help youth workers draw their own conclusions. More

The Development and Service Needs of Young Maltreated Children
A recent study explored the developmental characteristics and intervention needs of children in the age group most likely to become involved with the child welfare system—those younger than 3 years. The study drew on data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being and the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study, along with literature review and discussions with child welfare service experts. Findings focus on the risk factors affecting development, developmental outcomes, service receipt, and considerations for successful intervention. http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?issue_id=2008-06&article_id=1587

Assessing and Engaging Immigrant Families
A special issue of American Humane's Protecting Children offers articles on the intersection of migration. Authors of Exploring the Immigrant Experience: an Empirically-Based Tool for Practice in Child Welfare, Julie Cooper Altman and Suzanne Michael described the development of a strength-based tool designed to assess and engage immigrant families, the Assessment of Immigration Dynamics guide (AID).

Improving Outcomes for Rural Native American Foster Youth
In an effort to address the unique needs of rural Native American foster youth in California, the San Diego State University School of Social Work partnered with a number of organizations to develop comprehensive training programs for direct care workers and supervisors.

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Positive Youth Development

Positive Youth Development Toolkit
The Positive Youth Development approach suggests that helping young people to achieve their full potential is the best way to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors. Organizations and communities that promote Positive Youth Development give youth the chance to exercise leadership, build skills, and get involved. The self-confidence, trust, and practical knowledge that young people gain from these opportunities help them grow into healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults. 2008 Positive Youth Development Toolkit.

Caring Adults in Action - Helping America's Youth
Find out what experts say are the eight most important features of community programs that promote positive youth development.

Involving Youth In Their Plans
Youth who have a voice in their treatment, education or case plans are more likely to work toward outcomes as well as gain valuable experience in making plans and setting goals. The Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health (RTC) at Portland State University have developed a new list of materials that will provide guidance for meaningful youth involvement. Materials can be viewed and downloaded from the RTC site.

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Public Policy

Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative
Today, 12.5 million children are overweight in the United States- more than 17%. As youth and child care professionals we recognize that teaching children the importance of healthy eating and physical activity at a young age is necessary to help prevent overweight and obesity in the state of Oklahoma. The U.S. Surgeon General has developed a pledge to help prevent childhood overweight and obesity along with checklists to make a difference in the lives of young people in the agencies we serve (Oklahoma has one of the highest rates for childhood obesity).

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Events & Trainings

Ardmore-Statewide Education Series 2008 ETHICS with Dewayne Moore, JD
July 29, 2008
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, 2610 Sam Noble Parkway, Seminar B2
Contact: Cynthia D. Caligone (405) 522-8300 or fax (405) 522-8320.

Lawton-Statewide Education Series 2008 Cultural Competence with David Asetoyer,
July 29, 2008
Great Plains Technology Center, 4500 SW Lee Blvd., Seminar Room A, Lawton, OK
Contact: Cynthia D. Caligone (405) 522-8300 or fax (405) 522-8320

Destination Future National Youth Leadership Development Conference August 15-17, 2008
National 4-H Youth Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland,
Presented by: The University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services
Destination Future National Youth Leadership Development Conference

Festival of Hope-Palette of Grief, Barbara Rubel, MA BCETS, August 22, 2008
ODMHSAS Training Center, Shepherd Mall 2401 NW 23rd Suite #F, OKC 73107
Contact: Cynthia D. Caligone (405) 522-8300

Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, Relationships September 18-19, 2008
Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills, 71st and Lewis, Tulsa OK
Contact: Karen LaPlante (918) 585-1213, ext 2411 or klaplante@mhat.org

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Resources At-a-Glance

Featured JPTP Agency! — Oklahoma Youth Center — Norman Oklahoma
JPTP spotlights the Oklahoma Youth Center (OYC) located in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Youth Center is the only state operated facility in Oklahoma providing inpatient services for children and youth ages 5 through 17. Each client is the focus of a holistic treatment and evidenced based approach that helps the child restore healthy relationships with family and peers to attain age appropriate levels of functioning, and progress developmentally.

The 40 bed Behavioral Health and 15 bed Substance Abuse facility serves the needs of all 77 Oklahoma counties. The Center offers two levels of services. The Acute Care program is designed to stabilize a child in crisis. Residential treatment is for children who have exhibited a pattern of escalating symptoms over a period of time and require a longer-term of service. The Center provides treatment for chemically dependent adolescent males and females between the ages of 13 to 17. As well, OYC offers psychodynamic groups, individual and family therapy, education, and therapeutic recreation.

Rick Gutierrez, Director of Recreational Therapy and Volunteer Services, indicates the JPTP training offered throughout the year, "strongly enhances our ability to work more effectively with the youth in our care". Rick went on to say, "we appreciate the innovative training that is provided through this important program— it keeps us informed on the very latest evidence for improving treatment outcomes, keeping Oklahoma truly on the cutting edge in treating and serving our youth".

(Rick served on the planning committee for the Professionalizing Youth Work in Oklahoma Conference and also co-presented the workshop, Beyond Trauma: Experiences that Heal, along with Jeremy Elledge, formerly with OYC). This workshop was so well received; JPTP is planning to have them present this in a six hour workshop in the fall. This workshop not only addressed helping children and youth heal from trauma, but how to develop and utilize "drumming" in the healing process. For additional information about OYC call: (405) 364-9004 or ODMHSAS at (405) 522-3908, or 1-(800) 522-9054.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Established by Congress in 2000, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is a unique collaboration of academic and community-based service centers whose mission is to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for traumatized children and their families across the United States. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and attention to cultural perspectives, the NCTSN serves as a national resource for developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed services, and public and professional education. www.nctsnet.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The SAMHSA website has a huge and growing volume of resources and information for mental health professionals, consumers and families. Every mental health professional should be familiar with their site resources. www.samhsa.gov

Mentoring Children of Prisoners: Caregiver's Choice Program
Caregiver's Choice Program makes it possible for many more young people across the country to have mentors and for many more families to enjoy all the benefits of mentoring. This program is unique because it gives the child's caregiver the power to choose-to look at the possibilities and decide on the best mentoring program to meet their needs and the needs of the child. Through Caregiver's Choice you can access funding to serve more children; tap into federal funds; manage your participation level; leverage national efforts to recruit children of prisoners; and benefit from cutting edge training and tools. www.mentoring.org/find_resources/caregiverschoice/

Youth Care Work
Skillstreaming the Adolescent: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills (revised edition).

Are you in need of new and creative ways to teach adolescents life skills? Then Skillstreaming the Adolescent: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills is the book for you. Dr. Goldstein and Dr. McGinnis show how to teach fifty prosocial skills such as: expressing your feelings, apologizing, setting a goal, starting a conversation and responding to failure. This resource is divided into six skill areas: beginning social skills, advance social skills, dealing with feelings, alternatives to aggression, dealing with stress and planning skills. It also contains many directed activity ideas and role playing activities. For this and other resources, visit www.nrcys.ou.edu/catalog

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