Champions for Youth

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2019-09-05T07:09:00.001-04:00

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December Youth Champion - Alice Weber

2014-12-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development
Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with the Ransburg YMCA’s Alice Weber. Like YMCAs across the nation the Ransburg’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Check out the interview below to learn more about Alice Weber and her work with the YMCA:

1)    Why did you want to go into this line of work?
This began as a part time job. I have a passion for working with kids. So when I first came into town with my young children working at the YMCA presented an opportunity where I could work with kids and spend time with my own. Eventually my position grew and I had the opportunity to do more and more.

(her)I started out working part time at YMCA. I was new in town and had young children and working had opportunity to bring them with me and it expanded from there. I have a passion for working with kids. Have a passion for working with kids. And working at the YMCA gave me a chance to do that. Eventually my position grew and allowed me the opportunity to do more.

2)    What was your first day on the job like?
It was exciting. I was working with six to twelve year olds and I had to figure out how to interact with children in this age group. My children were young so I had no experience with children in this age group. Since then I’ve been able to grow, and gained more experience. The more time I spend with children, the better I can understand them and their development. With kids, you never know what each day will be like. You can organize an entire day, and may not go according to plan.

3)    What is most rewarding about your job?
It is the opportunity to make an impact on so many lives. Outside of this position I wouldn’t have this opportunity. I work with kids ages six weeks to eighteen years old, and it is a lot of fun. There is one youth I have known since he was 8 years old. I followed him through high school, and then attended his first college football game. I can step in and fill role of adoptive parent and I can be positive person in their lives. I can be a parental figure, but I don’t have to be the one who has to say no.

4)    What is the most challenging part of your job?
One of the challenges I face is not having the resources to do the activities I would like to do. Dealing with teenagers and their attitudes is also challenging. They’re a little headstrong and it’s their way to do things. They have to learn the hard way.

5)    How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?
I have only recently learned about MCCOY. I would like to get more involved with the organization based on what I’ve read. It seems like an amazing opportunity and partnership.

6)    Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?
I hope that I am impacting more youth and that I am able to expand some of our programs in the community in order to make impact on more youth. This past spring we started a man-to-man mentoring group for boys thirteen and up. We have a group of boys who regularly attend and we want to expand this group into the community to have bigger impact. And even though it is a male mentoring group I still like to support and help with the group.

We’d like to thank Ms. Weber for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about the Ransburg YMCA check out their website: http://www.indymca.org/centers/ransburg/center-news/.

Creating Creativity

2014-12-15T11:15:00.001-05:00

Written by Leon Golden

Creativity is becoming a major key to success in today's workplace. Many modern careers require employees to step outside the confines of their formal education, and embrace a more interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Unfortunately, the innate creativity and curiosity of childhood is generally squelched by the time the child reaches adulthood. Many have made the observation that formal educational systems worldwide were designed for industrial societies. Education author and speaker Ken Robinson has said that “our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the earth: for a particular commodity.” So the question is posed here, how can we foster creativity in ourselves and in our children?

Rather than yielding to despair, let's be creative and take a more divergent path; where we are is often the framework within which we must work.

•    Emphasize the process, not the product. It's increasingly important that people be taught not what to think, but rather how to think.
•    Encourage exploration and play. Engaging an individual's innate curiosity aids in the development of the mind and imagination.
•    Be observant of the world and nature. Encouraging thoughtful observation helps develop capacity for divergent thinking by making connections that may not initially be obvious.
•    Encourage reading. Studies have shown that reading fiction helps to expand the reader's imagination; reading nonfiction helps to broaden the reader's perspective of the world.

While not an exhaustive list, these ideas will help to exercise the "creativity muscle" in our brains. Research in neuroscience and cognitive psychology has shown that the brain is highly plastic and can change for the better, regardless of age. While a child's impressionable mind is easier to form, we can all benefit by fostering an environment of creativity, curiosity, and wonder.

2014 Interim Study Committee Update

2014-11-11T10:25:00.002-05:00

The Interim Study Committees have finished meeting and most have issued their final reports. Two that MCCOY were following related to education and criminal code, have issued recommendations that MCCOY will be advocating for during the 2015 session. Although neither committee put forward any preliminary drafts for legislation, it is anticipated that there will be legislation filed during session.

Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code - http://iga.in.gov/documents/2cb2f002

Recorded Interrogations of Juveniles - the Committee recommended that legislation be filed in the next session requiring the record of interrogations of juveniles, but without impairing the administration of school functions.
Mandatory Appointment of Counsel in Juvenile Proceedings - the Committee voted to recommend that funding be made available to implement the mandatory appoint of counsel in juvenile cases.
Risk Assessment in Juvenile Delinquency Determinations and Case Planning, and Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative - the Committee voted to recognize the risk assessment by the Juvenile Delinquency Alternatives Initiative and to recommend that counties continue to implement risk assessment practices.
Juvenile Court Jurisdiction and Direct File to Adult Court - the Committee agreed to recommend that the General Assembly needs to address the range of ages in the juvenile waiver statute and that the Criminal Justice Institute or the Division of Court Administration should collect data concerning the number of direct file charges of juveniles in adult court.
Repeal of Statutes Regarding Status Offenders in Secure Detention - the Committee voted to recommend that status offenders should not be housed in the Department of Correction.

Interim Study Committee on Education - http://iga.in.gov/documents/d607990a

The Committee finds Early Learning Advisory Committee and Family and Social Services Administration are adequately preparing to implement Indiana’s early learning pilot program.
The Committee recognizes there is an issue with the reporting of discipline data and recommends additional reporting standards.
The Committee recommends finding alternatives to expulsion and suspension for all students, with a special focus on truancy. This recommendation was adopted by consent.
The Committee recommends finding alternatives to expulsion and suspension for all students, with a special focus on eliminating disparities for minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

Help ensure youth have a voice in the policies and laws affecting their lives. Learn more here.

November Youth Champion: Chris Tolliver

2014-11-10T10:42:00.003-05:00

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development

Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with the Avondale Meadows YMCA’s Youth and Family Lead Chris Tolliver. The Avondale Meadow’s branch of the YMCA opened in August 2013. Like YMCAs across the nation the Avalon Meadow’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Check out the interview below to learn more about Chris Tolliver and his work with the YMCA:
Why did you want to go into this line of work?
I have a passion for helping people. When I was a child I went to camp at the YMCA and then took a few trainings that qualified me to be a camp counselor.
I love working with the Teens and helping them to become successful students and citizens. I feel it was a calling for me to work with the youth. I enjoy what I do so much that it doesn't feel like a job then I go to work. By me being in the position to make a difference in the lives of the youth in our communities it makes me feel great about the work we do.

What was your first day on the job like?
I was 14 years old and started on a Monday at an Afterschool program. I was young, excited, and eager to learn. I really learned a lot from my first boss and he made a lasting impression on me and my future with the YMCA. Since that first day of work I have been with the YMCA for 28 years now.

What is most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding thing about my job is when I see my students do great things like when I see them graduate from high school and go on to college. The Youth and Government program that I run at the Avondale Meadows YMCA has been awarded the Prestigious Delegation Award from the Youth & Government state program. Students in our delegation currently hold 4 of the 5 top state offices in the YMCA Youth & Government program including Governor.

It is also rewarding when I see families getting gifts for their children at a Toys For Tots gifts giveaway from a partnership I formed with the Marine Corps in 1999. This toy drive has grown over the last 14 years and currently serves almost 5,000 kids per year.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is when students don't excel and don't maximize their talents. When a student that I work with doesn't go to college or into a trade I sometimes question myself and what could I have done different to help them reach those goals.

How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?
The MCCOY has helped our organization in many ways to be successful. The monthly meetings put us in contact with other youth organizations and provide a wealth of information about resources. They also help us form partnerships and give opportunities for our youth

Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?
I see us helping more students and moving closer to having a 100% going to college rate from the students in our college readiness program in the next 5 years. I also see us assisting more families with Christmas help and resources for the holiday season.

We’d like to thank Mr. Tolliver for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about the Avondale Meadows YMCA check out their website: http://www.indymca.org/centers/avondale-meadows/center-news/.

October Youth Champion Award: Marion L. Robinson

2014-10-07T13:40:00.005-04:00

Each month The Real MCCOY will be shining a spotlight on hard working Youth Development Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc.’s Executive Director, Marion L. Robinson. Founded in 2007, Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. continues the legacy of Mrs. Lillian M. Davis by working to make school services available for elementary students both in and out of school, and improving the quality of education for children. The Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. is working to create a neighborhood for children and families that will provide educational opportunities, safety, and economic growth. Check out the interview below to learn more about Ms. Marion L. Robinson and the organization:

1) Why did you want to go into this line of work?

The Lillian Davis Foundation is a foundation that is named after my mother. My brother and I founded the organization because youth work was important to my mother. We chose it because it fit with our mother’s legacy.

2) What was your first day on the job like?

My first day on the job was the day we launched the organization and it was full of excitement and the opportunity of those who expressed desires to support the community, and expressed the desire to support us.

3) What is most rewarding about your job?

Personally, giving back. It is very rewarding to continue what my parents instilled in me by giving back to the community and being a part of that effort.

4) What is the most challenging part of your job?

As a small organization, it’s always the fundraising. It is challenging when you have to work on volunteer support laborers. The most challenging part is to move from volunteer to hire staff.

5) How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?

MCCOY has helped me in many ways. As executive director I’ve been given many opportunities for leadership development because of access to workshops. These workshops have kept me current with best practices and current with other organizations. MCCOY has helped us institute summer programming and training for youth workers in summer programs and leadership programs.

6) Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?

My prayer and hope is that we will still be providing services to the community. I hope that our community partner relationships will grow; that we’re making a collective impact with youth with developing skills, and preparing them for life. I would like to see how the youth we’ve touched have developed and see how the work has paid off.

We’d like to thank Ms Robinson for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about Lillian Davis Foundation, Inc. check out their website: http://lilliandavisfndn.org/.

Programs Teach Youth Attitudes & Behaviors to Keep Jobs

2014-10-07T11:35:00.001-04:00

Written by: John Brandon, President of MCCOY

I realize that the school year is only 6-7 weeks along, but it is not too soon to talk about an important issue for young people in our community: summer employment. While many youth organizations don’t have the budget to actually hire youth (though some do and provide a great work experience for youth!), many youth serving agencies are in a position to help young people who participate in their programs develop the workplace skills that are absolutely necessary for success in the workplace, not only now, but throughout their work career.

Youth programs are the places where young people learn how to work with others, solve problems, develop critical thinking and analysis, communicate through writing and speaking, take on leadership roles, and develop responsibility. Employers will say “I can teach somebody how to do the job but I can’t teach them to have the attitudes and behaviors which will help them keep it.” That’s what youth programs do best.

If we think of summer jobs as a part of a broader strategy for addressing poverty, as the Brookings Institute suggests in an article entitled “Expanding Summer Employment Opportunities for Low-Income Youth”, we can see that summer employment not only provides a job and money in the pocket, it also serves as an encouragement to do well in school, increases individual maturity, and decreases negative behaviors. There is even some evidence that developing workplace skills actually increases college completion rates! That’s a good thing for youth and for our community.

These are all signs that point to the importance of a strong youth development sector in our community that prepares youth for education, work, life, and community involvement. MCCOY is all about making sure that sector is in place for the young people of our community. We’re glad you are working with us!

Family Access Network's Collective Impact Work

2014-10-07T09:49:00.004-04:00

Written by: Ashley Shufflebarger, AmeriCorps VISTA member with MCCOY

Thanks to the time and effort of many partnering organizations, Family Access Network is working collectively to bring about positive changes for children and families living in Near West. While building a physical location will be significant, our work is most important in its collective strides to increase opportunities for families to be safe, healthy and self-sufficient. FAN partners recognize there is work is to be done and it needs to start now!

Collective impact is defined as the commitment of a group…from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem.

In other words, collective impact takes dedicated minds from different sectors, and uses these resources to solve issues on a more involved level than mere organizational collaboration. FAN aims to solve the issue of child abuse, neglect and delinquency, with MCCOY serving as the backbone organization to keep efforts focused and moving forward.

At present, FAN’s collective impact team has identified a few potential projects for the Near West side to promote healthy children, families and the community, including:

· Increasing the number of residents who have health care coverage, and later increasing use of preventive services.

Increasing the number of Near West children in high quality child care programs.
Increasing the number of families engaged in quality home visiting services such as Nurse Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and Early Head Start.

If this work interests you, join us at our next collective impact meeting, on October 21, 2014 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Haughville Branch Library.

If you would like to learn more about collective impact, please join us for any of three different webinars through the Collective Impact Forum hosted by FSG. MCCOY will host viewing parties and a 30-minute post viewing dialogue for each webinar. The first webinar will be held in the United Way Building, and the final two webinars in the Haughville Library. Please contact Ashley Shufflebarger for more information or to RSVP!

Overview of Interim Study Committees

2014-10-07T09:09:00.001-04:00

Written by: Mindi Goodpaster, MCCOY's Public Policy & Advocacy Director

Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code

Alcohol and opioid dependence in criminal justice
Report concerning the Indiana Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana
The availability of the juvenile indigent defense
Concerns relating to racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system
Juvenile detention issues

o The status of the Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

o Proposed amendments to IC 31-37-22-5 to preclude status offenders from being sent to DOC

o Inappropriate referrals to juvenile justice system

The use of risk assessment techniques in juvenile delinquency dispositional determinations and case planning
The application of restorative justice principles in juvenile delinquency cases

o Victim Offender Restoration Program

Juvenile justice caselaw and statutes

o Recent United States Supreme Court decisions relating to juvenile justice

o Amending statutes regarding juvenile court jurisdiction and waiver of jurisdiction

o Expanding interrogation protections for juveniles (J.D.B. v. North Carolina, 131 S.Ct 2394 (2011))

Law enforcement training regarding juveniles
Juvenile justice reform nationally
Education and training for juvenile court judges
The Indiana Juvenile Mental Screening, Assessment and Treatment Project

Interim Study Committee on Education

Discussion of student discipline and the suspension, expulsion, or exclusion of a student from school
Discussion Prekindergarten and Early Learning

o The feasibility of obtaining a block grant and necessary waivers under the federal Head Start program under 42 U.S.C, 9831 et seq. to establish an early learning scholarship program or another type of alternative program.

o The feasibility of obtaining a Child Care and Development Block Grant under 72 U.S.C. 9858 et seq. or other federal funds to fund prekindergarten or early learning education programs in Indiana.

o Options for funding prekindergarten or early learning programs, including opportunities to partner with business, philanthropic, or community leaders.

o Whether other state have developed rigorous accountability standards for prekindergarten or early education.

o Parental Involvement opportunities to prepare children for education outside the educational environment, including the benefits of reading to a child.

o Opportunities to equip parents with skills necessary to improve the parents' ability to contribute to their child's early education.

o The economic benefits of prekindergarten or early learning.

· Next Meeting: October 22, 9 a.m. in Room 404

o Topic: Need for an Early College High School program and the Committee's final report

A Serious, Complicated, and Disruptive Force

2014-09-24T16:17:00.000-04:00

Written by: James Todd, MCCOY board member and retired IMPD Officer

Domestic violence is a serious, complicated, and disruptive force on families

and their children. Sports can have a positive influence on the lives of

young people, but lately some major professional sports organizations have

had some bad times regarding their treatment of the issue of domestic violence

among their team members. As unfortunate as these incidents are,

this is also an opportunity to shine a light on this important social problem.

Here are some steps I would like to see all professional sports organizations

do in response to the recent spate of domestic violence issues. This

would be a way to pay for past mistakes and begin to establish a sense of

social responsibility for the future.!

1) I would like to see an independent study to compare rates of DV in the professional sports world with that of the general population. I wonder if the rate is the same, higher, or lower. This would be useful information.

2) I would like to see Public Service Announcements broadcast during every game, paid for by the organization. These PSA's should:

Denounce domestic violence as criminal behavior, and unacceptable in a professional organization.
Provide information about DV hotlines and services so that victims would have access to them and begin the process of escape.
Refer perpetrators of DV to organizations that can help them to learn to stop abusing.

3) I would like to see the same steps repeated in the collegiate and high school sports communities. This is where the pros come from, and if there is going to be a true shift in perception it must begin early.

All professional sports organizations in America have an opportunity and an

obligation to make something good come from these recent events. This

seems to me to be a pretty good place to start.! !

James Todd!

Sergeant IMPD (retired)

My Craigslist Car and the Poverty Cycle

2014-09-22T13:42:00.002-04:00

I bought my ’98 Cavalier for just over $1000 on Craigslist.

This is the first car I can truly call my own; I saved up the money, put in several hours of research, and met with the previous owner in a Dollar General parking lot to exchange my hard-earned cash for a set of wheels.
When I first got my license, my trial vehicle was our beat up baby-blue family van that eventually stuttered to a permanent stop on a back road in my hometown when I turned 17. Dad gave me his work truck after that, which was totaled when a middle-aged woman T-boned me on 16^th street. I then acquired a retired police Chevy Impala with the insurance money, and later sold it when my meager bank account began to dwindle.

I took IndyGo bus 25 from home to work to school and back home for half a year. I thought of my bus rides as hour-long adventures, prime people watching. I made friends with the regulars; I became a regular. However, I grew sick of the hard, plastic seats and the lack of air conditioning in many of the buses. I hated the way some businessmen and women looked at the bus stop with loathing—some even crossed the street to avoid us. And I couldn’t help but to feel like a stranger to the people who stood waiting with me. Here were people who pushed old grocery carts with their belongings around the city. Here were young mothers nursing their crying babies in the middle of a crowded bus. Here were middle-aged women with aprons who went to work an hour early every day and left an hour late every evening. I, on the other hand, am a student from a lower middle-class family who will likely never know the true struggles of a poverty-level life.

When I bought my Chevy Cavalier, although it was old with high mileage, I couldn’t help but to feel a sense of empowerment—that I was moving up in the world, and that I deserved this car. I needed it; I wanted to go places on my own time. I was no longer going to stand riding on that gross bus anymore.

So this weekend when I took my beloved car to the auto shop and they told me the repairs might cost upwards of $800 dollars, I lost it. I make under poverty-level income as an AmeriCorps VISTA, and that $800 dollars is a full month of pay. How can I afford to fix my car and pay my rent? Groceries? Utilities? My phone bill? Many of my days begin at 8 a.m. and end at 9 p.m. with school and work, and I can’t fathom how a bus will fit into that equation. Plus, I love my car. I love the freedom of driving it to my buddy’s place on the weekends, and my favorite picnic spot for lunch. My mother sent me a text earlier that said, Please tell us how much this will cost. We can help pay. In the meantime, we can drive you to and from work. My boyfriend’s family offered to let me drive their extra Ford Focus while my car gets repaired. Everyone I talked to this weekend offered up their support in one way or another, sometimes at the expense of their own comfort.

My panic subsided this morning as I drove the borrowed Ford Focus to work. The ride is so smooth, and unlike my Cavalier I didn’t hear the roar of the muffler every time I accelerated. I won’t have to ride the bus after all. I am so thankful for the family and friends who will help support me, and for the money that I can eventually save up to buy a nice vehicle. But in the back of my mind, I think about all the bus-goers who travel to minimum-wage jobs, and who might not have a solid support system. Where is the fairness in that? I am lucky enough to have help out of a tough situation because I’m not stuck in the cycle of poverty. I chose a job that puts me at poverty-level income for a year, but I still have my family to fall back on, my student waivers, my friends and loved ones who are more than willing to lend a hand.

Here’s the bottom line: I work as a VISTA because I want to decrease the disparity between classes. I know firsthand the struggles of being without a car, and I don’t want to go back. Many Indianapolis residents have no choice.

My challenge to readers is this: next time you walk past a bus stop, try not to stigmatize. Imagine yourself without a vehicle, and with no means of getting your hands on another. Imagine the lack of freedom that comes with this, the weight of the groceries that you must carry from stop to stop.

How do you help? Sometimes a simple smile will do, or any small show of support. If you find yourself truly passionate about making a change, I recommend looking up AmeriCorps VISTA, whose mission is to break the cycle. Here’s a link: www.nationalservice.gov/program/americorps/americorps-vista

Numbers don't lie

2014-09-11T10:19:00.001-04:00

I saw a couple different news stories this week which show how having resources makes all the difference.

The Federal Reserve last week reported that "the shares of income and wealth held by affluent families are at a modern historically high level. The numbers show that the top 10% of earners take home almost half (47.3%) of all income, while the remaining 90% of earners take the other half (52.7%). To make it simple (so I can understand!), 1 person gets half the apple pie to eat while 9 people have to divide up the other half amongst themselves.

Researchers have reported that the wealthiest 20% of families spend $8,000 more per year on enrichment opportunities for their child than the poorest 20% of families. This adds up to an almost $100,000 spending gap over the course of a child's primary and secondary school career---that is a HUGE amount.

So there is where youth development and resources intersect. Every parent wants to provide the very best opportunities for their child and I am so glad to see that better-resourced parents are investing so significantly in their child's growth and well-being. But it not good enough for only the top 20% of our children to have the opportunities to fully achieve their potential. We want ALL children to be successful--to thrive, learn, participate, and engage. As a community, we have to find ways to make sure that happens--and that doesn't just mean putting more resources into programs that serve children and youth. It also means investing in parents so they become more skilled and compete for higher paying jobs. It means having better schools so youth are well prepared and able to compete in a competitive global economy. It means accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

Clearly, the numbers show we have the resources----how will we direct them to bring about the greatest good for individuals and the community? That's where we have work to do.

September 2014: Youth Champion - Reverend Malachi Walker

2014-09-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

Each month MCCOY shines a spotlight on hard working Youth Development Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do. This month’s interview is with Young Men, Inc.’s Executive Director Reverend Malachi Walker. Founded in 1993, Young Men, Inc. is a youth ministry dedicated to working with African-American males, ages 9-16. The ministry’s purpose is to work with young men to help them gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in life. Check out the interview below to learn more about Reverend Walker and the organization:

1) Why did you want to go into youth ministry?

I’ve been a youth worker all my life and it started in earnest when I was a teenager. Once I grew older I got serious with God, wanted to utilize my gift with God and decided to do that in the form of youth ministry.

2) What was your the first day at Young Men, Inc. like?

As the founder and director, I was present on the first day camp started. The experience was uplifting and a dream come true. I always wanted to work with men and this was uplifting, rewarding and exciting. Working with boys, learning how to talk and interact with them has been a learning experience

3) What is most rewarding about working at Young Men, Inc.?

The boys that are a part of Young Men, Inc. made the decision to change their life and to live a different life than they’ve been living. They’ve found Christ and follow the knowledge and teaching they’ve been given. They listen and follow the lessons they’ve learned. They’ve turned their life around and are on the path to being successful, and to reaching their goals.

4) What is the most challenging part of working at Young Men, Inc.?

The most challenging part is dealing with the different issues young men are facing. They face social issues and some men come from dysfunctional families. You have to deal with families and parents who may not be a good influence. You are trying to keep them on one path but their home life or neighborhood takes them on another.

5) How has MCCOY helped Young Men, Inc succeed or grow?

After being listed in MCCOY’s Youth Activity Directory Young Men, Inc. received an increase in calls from young men interested in joining. And many young men and their families have gotten involved in the program due to the increased exposure. Since then we’ve had to do little of our own advertising or promotion.

6) Where do you see Young Men, Inc. in five years?

I see Young Men Inc. growing, hopefully into a city or statewide program, so other cities or churches that want to work with young men can use this model of programming. I’d like to expand into a larger area of the state of Indiana.

We’d like to thank Reverend Walker for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about Young Men, Inc. check out their website: http://www.greatcommissionchurchofgod.org/ministries/young-men-inc.

Here's the scoop on the Family Access Network

2014-08-19T16:00:00.001-04:00

The Co-Location of Services has a new, catchy name! Family Access Network (FAN) continues its mission “to promote healthy children, families, and communities by increasing access, use, and capacity of existing services through innovative neighborhood-based partnerships in a single location.”

We have a lot going on in the coming months, and would like to keep you updated on the steps we’re taking to create and build an efficient, effective collaborative services center with many partners whose missions align with FAN!

WHO

EIPC - Early Intervention Planning Council (EIPC), entity of the City-County Council and creator of the Early Intervention and Prevention (EIP) Initiative, “seeks to eliminate and prevent child abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency through comprehensive community efforts that coordinate, build capacity, and advocate for high-quality early intervention and prevention services in Marion County.” EIPC chose MCCOY to be the coordinating agency for the EIP Initiative, including Family Access Network.

MCCOY - Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) was appointed as the “convening and coordinating organization for the EIP Initiative” in 2010. This organization’s role is to strategize ways to prevent Marion County children from entering the foster care and juvenile justice system, and to implement and build these strategies, notably the Family Access Network, for the EIP Initiative.

NWEIC - Near West Early Intervention Collaborative, Inc. serves to “promote the welfare of children, families, and communities in Marion County,” and primarily functions as developer and operator of the Family Access Network. The Board of Directors includes MCCOY staff and board as well as a representative from each Family Access Network founding partner—Goodwill, Fairbanks, Midtown Mental Health, and the Children’s Bureau.

Westside CDC - Westside Community Development Corporation’s mission “is to stabilize and revitalize the Near Westside via housing and commercial development, property management, and community planning. WCDC’s secondary mission is to stabilize families by developing a range of affordable housing options and related supportive services.” WCDC partners with FAN to identify real estate opportunities and services on the Near West Side.

Goodwill - Goodwill “works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.” Goodwill may support FAN in numerous ways, potentially through their Goodwill Guides, employment services, education and/or their prenatal/early childhood programs (Nurse-Family Partnership).

Fairbanks -Fairbanks is “focused on recovery from alcohol and other drug problems, serving as a resource to improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities by offering hope and support through its programs and services.” This organization offers the only recovery high school in Indiana, Hope Academy, a charter school intended to keep young adults on track for sobriety and academic excellence. Due to their expertise in this field, Fairbanks will primarily offer adolescent addiction services in the Family Access Network center.
Midtown Mental Health- Midtown’s mission is to “serve persons with serious mental illness and chronic addiction, as well as seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families.” Midtown will primarily offer adult and child mental health and addiction services, along with primary healthcare.

Children’s Bureau - Children’s Bureau’s mission is “preserving families and protecting the future of Indiana’s children.” Children’s Bureau will primarily offer child abuse prevention services through the Neighborhood Alliance for Child Safety (NACS) program, general case management, and child care service allowances for low-income families through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).

Summit Realty - Summit Realty group has aided Family Access Network in research and site availability on the Near Westside for one year and a half. This talented group has helped narrow Family Access Network’s future building site to an area near Washington St. and Tibbs Ave.

Morse and Bickel - Morse and Bickel Law Firm initially helped FAN to create the NWEIC, and continues to advise MCCOY on all legal issues including MOUs and lease agreements.

Polis Center - Polis Center, a “self-funded research unit…at IUPUI” dedicated to providing the largest community information system (SAVI) in the nation, has worked with MCCOY since 2010 to provide all levels of data for the advancement of FAN. In the near future, the Polis Center will work to create a data dashboard for the Near Westside, which will highlight important information about this community’s needs.

John Peirce (Peirce Consulting) - Peirce consulting has worked with MCCOY for one year on the FAN collective impact initiative, which fosters greater collaboration between partnering organizations and tracks indicators and outcomes for FAN.

Although we have acknowledged quite a few helpful partners and organizations above, there are many other organizations whose advice and expertise has been absolutely essential to the development of Family Access Network. Thank you for your hard work!

WHAT

Since 2010, MCCOY has accomplished much in the development of Family Access Network. Here are a few of our recent achievements that brings us steps closer to the opening of Family Access Network…
•    MCCOY recently received $128,000 in funding from the Department of Child Services, specifically for continued Family Access Network project development.
•    MCCOY staff regularly attended Near West steering committee meetings to keep the community informed and to receive community input.
•    FAN partners met with many organizations and representatives, including the State and Marion County Health Departments, Indiana Youth Institute, Department of Metropolitan Development, Wellpoint Foundation, Buckingham Foundation, Nicholas Noyes Foundation, Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and other various potential funders/interested parties.
•    FAN partners conducted and attended various meetings, including NWEIC Board Meetings, Near West town hall meetings, EIPC meetings, Summit Realty Meetings, and Collective Impact meetings.
•    FAN partners obtained and analyzed Near West data to develop indicators and outcomes specifically related to the work of the Family Access Network and its partners.

WHEN

In upcoming months, here’s what we intend to focus on:
•         Establish a location.
•         Develop and begin implementing a process to more deeply engage about 10-15 neighbors on the Near West Side, representing each of the neighborhood associations, in planning for the new site.
•         Develop indicators to track and measure progress of families served through FAN; develop a collaborative referral and data sharing system; and create a data dashboard to be used by all FAN partners.
•         Begin collecting baseline data where possible.
•        Initiate fund development efforts to support site development.

WHERE

We would love to share some exciting news with you! MCCOY and partnering organizations have narrowed the home for our future building to a location near W. Washington St. and Tibbs Ave. Stay tuned for more information as it comes!

If you’re interested… to see the history of our decision to build the FAN center in the Near West, please take a look at our 2010-12 progress timeline.

WHY

The issues of child abuse, neglect, and delinquency are heartbreaking and affect every member of our community. People who experience abuse and other traumatic events in childhood are at increased risk as adults for substance abuse, missed work, severe obesity, depression, and suicide attempts. Links from early trauma and later problems include:
•         60% of first teen pregnancies are preceded by an incident of child sexual abuse.
•         Young girls who are sexually abused are three times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders and/or substance abuse problems in adulthood than girls who are not sexually abused.
•         Male survivors of child sexual abuse are 70% more likely to seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and attempted suicide.
Family Access Network will be located in the Near West neighborhood, but will be available to all residents in Indianapolis. This neighborhood was chosen because families in the Near West community have numerous risk factors for abuse, neglect and delinquency:
•         31.6% of residents over the age of 25 have no high school diploma.
•         38% of kids in the Near West live in poverty.
•         22% unemployment rate in the Near West.
•         65% of families are single-parent families.
•         16.5% of babies born are born to teen mothers.

The numbers show that Indianapolis families need help and support. Isolated services, although common, are not an effective prevention strategy. Comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated systems focused on building protective factors have demonstrated the most effectiveness in preventing children and families from becoming involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems (Anderson, et al., 2006).

Nonprofits in Indianapolis have the opportunity to work better together. By collaborating and sharing space and overhead, the organizations are able to focus more on their core missions. Further, if parents are able to access, in one location, the many services that build protective factors, they are more likely to be successful in managing life situations and stressors in order to provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for their children.

We appreciate your interest in the Family Access Network, and look forward to continuing to share the future of this project with you! If you’d like to learn more, please visit the FAN website.

5 Steps to Protect Our Children

2014-08-11T12:47:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, the VISTAs at MCCOY went through Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training. I ate dinner with my boyfriend the night before, and was surprised to feel the nervous butterflies in my stomach when I talked with him and considered what this training might entail.

“I wonder if it’s going to be anything like the ‘good touch, bad touch’ talk we had in school?” I remember that day in elementary school well. Our tight-lipped teachers herded us into a classroom where a guest speaker sat in a rocking chair with two felt dolls at her feet—one boy and one girl. As a child, I was terrified of both dolls and strangers, so the message was especially resonant for me.

My homeschooled boyfriend was lucky and never had to experience the trauma of sitting in a small room with a stranger who pointed out the “no-go zones” on creepy dolls.

“My mom just sat down with us and we had a conversation about it,” he said, with no trace of anxiety or discontent with the way he was taught to stay safe from potential harm.

And that’s similar to the format for Stewards of Children; this training is a conversation between adults to learn how best to protect children from sexual abuse. There are no scare tactics, no strangers, and no felt dolls involved. Instead, the training “helps provide adults with the capacity and momentum to take action against child sexual abuse.” In essence, the three-hour session opens up a conversation between people who are invariably responsible for at least one child in their lives, and gives adults the opportunity to talk about, understand, and prevent a semi-taboo issue.

During training, we were armed with a list of “5 Steps to Protecting Our Children.” I’m going to give you two of those five steps, and encourage you to attend this training to learn the other three (see how sneaky I am)!

STEP 1: Learn the Facts of Child Sexual Abuse

It is highly likely that you know a child who has been or is being abused.

Experts estimate that 1 in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. This means that in any classroom or neighborhood full of children, there are children who are silently bearing the burden of sexual abuse.

1 in 5 children are sexually solicited while on the Internet.

About 35% of victims are 11 years old or younger.

30 to 40% of children are abused by family members.

As many as 60% are abused by people the family trusts.

STEP 2: Minimize Opportunity for Child Sexual Abuse

Reduce risk. Protect children.

Understand that abusers often become friendly with potential victims and their families, enjoying family activities, earning trust, and gaining time alone with children.

Think carefully about the safety of any isolated, one-on-one settings. Choose group situations when possible.

Set an example by personally avoiding isolated, one-on-one situations with children other than your own.

Monitor children's Internet use. Offenders use the Internet to lure children into physical contact.

Please visit www.d2l.org to learn more about Stewards of Children training and preventative strategies, or visit MCCOY’s webpage to view upcoming trainings in Marion County!

Works Cited:
Steps and Data collected from www.d2l.org
Picture from http://www.amamantafamily.com/dollsorderpage.htm

Youth Champion: Andrew Lee - August 2014

2014-08-11T11:48:00.002-04:00

MCCOY is reinstating our monthly Youth Champion spotlight. We will be shining a spotlight on a hard working Youth Development Professionals and the great work they and their organizations do.

This month Andrew Lee, Executive Director of Art With a Heart, has been chosen as the Youth Champion! Founded in 2002, Art With a Heart is a nonprofit dedicated to providing at risk youth with the opportunity to express themselves through art. The programs offered include lessons that meet state-mandated educational standards and cultivate critical thinking skills. Check out the interview below to learn more about Mr. Lee and the organization:

Why did you want to go into this line of work?
I’ve always been in what I would call ‘mission-driven’ jobs. Money is a means to an end for me and I’ve never been very excited about amassing it except in the context of furthering a good cause. What sold me on Art With a Heart were the stories Carol (our founder and my predecessor) told me about the development and success of the students.

What was your first day on the job like?
Chaotic, unproductive, overwhelming. I’m not an artist, or an educator and this was my first proper ED position – I think some people were wondering what I was doing there. I may have been one of them! I think I made one good decision in the first week which was to outsource our IT management, that put half a day back into my week and eliminated a lot of headaches for staff.

What is most rewarding about your job?
Seeing students confidence and ability grow is the pinnacle of the work, but this isn’t the kind of job where every day can be a roaring success so its important to like your working environment and I’ve never had a team that I’ve enjoyed working with more than my current staff. The focus, commitment and capability all combine to make a highly effective unit. We debate each other well, we always interview new staff together, we understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we support each other. It’s a very demanding job but it’s a very congenial and supportive environment.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Like many EDs in a small organization, fundraising is the greatest challenge. The ‘market’ for investment in non profits isn’t like the organized markets of the for-profit world, it’s slow, unpredictable and it doesn’t always reward the best performers or the best ideas. Because it’s fragmented it causes a fragmented response to the causes we tackle – as a nation, we’re never going to make inroads into major issues like poverty, education or homelessness until we fix this. Being part of the Near East Side Out of School Time Coalition is one way that I can help build more collaborative responses to the challenges that we face.

5How has MCCOY helped your organization succeeded or grow?
MCCOY’s strategic perspective and convening power are the two things that make the greatest impact from my perspective. MCCOY convened the enrichment providers who serve Summer Youth Program Fund for what was a really useful discussion and they’ve led initiatives like Early Intervention and Prevention – the Race for Resources event that came out of that remains one of the most effective ways that we meet new clients and partners.

Where do you see yourself and your organization in five years?
Our goal is that 5 years from now we have dramatically improved the perceived value of art among students, parents, teachers and schools and as a community we rely on it as an equal part of the curriculum for our children’s success. For my own future, I have no idea, I love being part of this organization and I do feel that after five years here I have a much more enlightened sense of how we contribute to the bigger picture, but at some point the job will require a different set of skills than I possess. I’ve supported Paws & Think for a long time, Daisy (the dog) and I volunteer in their programs and I’ve always thought of that as an organization I’d like to be more involved with. Right now though – Art With a Heart has a $50,000 matching challenge from the Glick Fund to work on so I’ve got plenty still to do here!

We’d like to thank Mr. Lee for taking the time to answer our questions. For more information about Art With a Heart check out their website www.artwithaheart.us.

Youth Face Similar Problems Everywhere

2014-07-18T14:16:00.001-04:00

As a recent Philly transplant I’ve noticed a few differences. The people are nicer, the days are longer, and we refer to similar things by different names (i.e. a potluck vs. pitch in). However youth in both cities face similar problems. I’ve been reading the coverage of Arlington High School’s financial problems and that’s a situation I’ve seen play out in Philly year after year. And in both cities youth are excluded from discussions about the problem and solutions. I believe youth should be given a voice to make their opinions known. The choices made at these school board meetings affect their education and their future. Often youth are ignored in decisions that affect them because it’s thought that they don’t know or understand what is best for them. But the outcomes have a large impact on their life and they have a right to be heard.

We’re told as citizens that we need to speak up on issues that affect us. I believe if you want to impart good values it’s best to start young. I came to Indy because MCCOY offered me an opportunity to make a difference with youth. Regardless of location young people face problems and need a way to express their views. They want to talk to those that can help them and MCCOY works to give youth opportunities to be heard.

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2014/07/09/arlington-high-school-operator-says-can-longer-afford-run-school/12418701/

http://articles.philly.com/2014-06-06/news/50362541_1_councilwoman-jannie-l-clarke-philadelphia-city-council

https://www.facebook.com/MCCOYYAC

Why we should use resources for prevention before punishment

2014-07-11T14:31:00.000-04:00

This morning, I got onto Facebook to see someone praising a new law that charges women with assault if there are drugs in their baby’s system when it is born. The article shared described a young woman in Marion County (Tennessee) who was recently arrested on this charge and had “a history of meth-related arrests.” Arrests that lead to jail time, instead of medical attention. Arrests that ruin chances of future employment. Arrests that do nothing to solve the root cause of the problem. I’m not saying that what happened with this woman isn’t a problem, but laws like this tend to ignore the situations that lead to drug use and other crimes.

Maybe if we had programs in place for first time offenders to go into rehab programs, and to get help with job skills, we could empower young people to escape the situations that led to the drug use in the first place. If there were better resources available when the issue is first discovered, the problem that the article described could have been prevented before it was too late. Issues like this are what drew me to the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY). MCCOY focuses on early intervention and preventative measures. With early intervention, we could put programs in place that could tackle the problem before it got out of hand, and make laws like this unnecessary. It would not only save money by keeping individuals out of the rotating door of the prison system, it would save lives.

The article mentioned: http://www.wate.com/story/25979914/monroe-county-arrests-mother-of-drug-positive-infant-under-new-law

Learn more about MCCOY’s Early Intervention & Prevention Initiative here: http://mccoyouth.org/early-intervention-a-prevention-initiative.html

Resources for drug addiction in Indianapolis: http://www.fairbankscd.org http://www.eskenazihealth.edu/our-services/midtown-community-mental-health

Why Dreamers Love Indianapolis

2014-07-01T14:56:00.000-04:00

Why Dreamers Love Indianapolis

Last Friday, I walked into the old City Hall, an imposing edifice downtown built from Indiana limestone. Now transformed into The Hall, the building has played an important role in Indy’s history. Constructed in the early 1900s to symbolize “the stability and achievements of the city,” the Hall housed government offices, the State Museum, and Central Library. It was an essential building until 2008, when after almost 100 years of use it sat vacant. Thanks to a local nonprofit, in 2014 old City Hall became The Hall and now serves as a meeting space for community-based initiatives.

Now, I am a city girl through and through. I have a Vonnegut doll, a penchant for eating too much Bazbeaux pizza, and a passion for promoting progress in Naptown. That's how I found myself at The Hall for Indy 5X5 – re:Purpose, an event that's part of a bigger plan to strengthen the community.

Here's the rundown: Indy 5X5 chooses five presenters to share their ideas for “repurposing urban waste into assets,” community members vote for a favorite, and the winner walks away with $10,000 toward his/her project. Sounds riveting, right? As much as I thought this was an awesome way to spend my Friday evening, I was hardly expecting a large crowd.

Boy, was I mistaken. Every folding chair on the expansive marble floor was occupied; small groups stood along the back wall and in doorways leading to halls under construction. Around the room, community members networked and spoke of Indy's potential. When it was time for 5X5, we all squeezed into the dense rows of flimsy chairs and held tight our voting tickets for the end of the evening.

The presenters’ projects varied in size and scope, but shared a common vision of community collaboration. The winning park project, E.N.G.I.N.E, centers on repurposing a Bonneville into artwork that celebrates the community’s Hispanic heritage. This park project fills a spot that has been long empty, and will allow youth in the Near Westside to have both a safe place to play and a space that embraces culture.

When I got home, I sat at my small kitchen table, looked at my limestone Indiana paperweight, and began to dream up my own projects for the city.

So why do dreamers love Indianapolis? Because when I walked into The Hall on Friday, I saw a community gathered together for a noble cause. I saw The Hall repurposed from a vacant building into a haven for innovative pursuits. Finally, I saw a start-up group with a great idea given the opportunity to benefit its neighborhood in a big way!

Our vast network of nonprofits and committed government officials allows community members with great ideas to uniquely repurpose Indianapolis.

I am proud to be part of one such nonprofit that is encouraging and innovative in its community pursuits. As we speak, MCCOY is working on some very exciting stuff including a revamped Youth Advocacy Council, the Family Access Network services center, and of course much, much more!

For more information, visit www.mccoyouth.org :)

City Hall References:

Historical information regarding Old Indianapolis City Hall retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/oldcityhall.htm National Park Service. "Old Indianapolis City Hall." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 01 July 2014.

Photo Credit:

People for Urban Progress website: http://www.peopleup.org/right-now/tag/indianapolis "The Hall-- New Life for Old City Hall." People for Urban Progress. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 July 2014.Indy 5X5 website: http://5x5indy.org/index.php/repurpose/ "5×5 Indy » Re:Purpose." Arts, Innovation, 5X5 Indianapolis. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 July 2014.

Indy Youth Opportunity Fair - where was the spotlight?

2014-05-19T09:11:00.001-04:00

Where were the TV camera crews and the reporters? Why no headlines in the papers or segments on the nightly news? Yesterday evening, over 500 young people, predominantly ages 14-17, came on their own to the 2014 Youth Opportunities Fair hosted by Congressman Andre Carson in cooperation with the Marion County Commission On Youth, Inc. (MCCOY) and Shortridge Magnet High School. They came out to talk with over 40 community agencies, churches, and educational programs who are offering young people in our community positive opportunities for the summer months---and beyond. Some youth were able to apply for summer jobs; others signed up for community service, or summer learning programs, or community arts activities. Every young person walked away with knowledge of the many resources our community has to support their growth and development.

At a time when many seem to hold the belief that young people aren’t motivated or are just looking for the easy way out or are threats to public safety, here was a great example of a large number of youth who were willing to seek out and take advantage of positive, productive, and skill building opportunities that will help them develop into better people, better workers, and better citizens in the future.

Thanks to all our community partners who came and offered opportunities to these over 500 young people who attended. You are making a great difference. Thanks to all those youth who took on the responsibility of seeking out ways to improve their lives---you are an inspiration. It’s just kind of sad that we did not have anybody there to spread the good news to the broader community that our youth are fine people!

John Brandon

President, MCCOY Inc.

Family Access Network

2014-05-12T13:07:00.006-04:00

The Co-location of Services project has a new name: Family Access Network.

MCCOY, Goodwill, Fairbanks, Children’s Bureau, and Midtown Mental Health/Eskenazi, is creating a “one-stop” center for health and human services focused on the prevention of child abuse, neglect and juvenile delinquency. The center will be located in the Near West neighborhood of Indianapolis and will focus on improving child and family well-being while also contributing to community development efforts occurring in Near West. Indianapolis has a widespread need for integrated services to prevent child abuse, neglect and juvenile delinquency and we know Family Access Network and its innovative service model will have a positive impact on the kids and families served.

Services offered under the one roof of Family Access Network will build upon and build up the following strengths of the kids and families in our community:
•    Social supports
•    Education
•    Health- physical and mental
•    Basic needs
•    Family function
•    Social connectedness
•    Safe environment

The research we’ve conducted on co-location/nonprofit/shared space centers throughout the US and Canada validates that the Family Access Network will greatly benefit the Near West community, as well as the City of Indianapolis. Working together to serve clients better, tracking and measuring success of the program model, as well as impact on the people served will benefit all involved- kids and families, organizations and the community.

We are optimistic about the future of Family Access Network and its many successes and look forward to continuing the work of creating a “one stop shop” for families not only in Near West, but in Indianapolis as a whole.

For more information on the Family Access Network please contact: Shanna Martin or (317) 921-1233.

What happens in between legislative sessions?

2014-05-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

Written by: Mindi Goodpaster, MCCOY's Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Indiana has a part-time legislature that only meets three or four months out of the year. During even-numbered years, they meet during the “short session,” which only lasts until approximately mid-March. During odd-numbered years, they meet until approximately the end of April for the “long session,” which is where the state’s biennial budget is drafted and approved. Although session is where laws are introduced, debated and voted on, there is much work that goes on throughout the rest of the year during the “interim” period.

On May 14, the Legislative Council, made up of House and Senate Leadership and other key legislators, will meet to assign the Interim Study Committee topics to be discussed during the summer and early fall. The Interim Study Committees, which were reorganized by SEA80 this past session, delve deeper into issues that legislators felt warranted further investigation prior to passing. The committees typically meet several times, hearing expert and often public testimony on issues, then deliberate and generate a final report that will usually contain recommendations for legislation for the upcoming session. If legislation is recommended, a committee member will typically introduce it in the next session with the hope of it becoming a law.

Topics that have been recommended for possible discussion during the interim include:

School discipline, school start times and how to encourage teachers to work at poor performance schools (HEA1319)
Child Services Oversight Committee review criminal background checks for certain entities by different agencies (HR5)
Human sex trafficking on the internet (HR12)
Causes of violence and violent crime (HR61)
Training of teachers who instruct students with neurological disorders (HR67)
Nullification of federal firearms legislation (SR38)
Home health workers and service providers (SR59)
Feasibility of the proposed new soccer stadium (SR75)
STD prevention and education (SR81)
Core 40, career & technical education classes, AP classes (HEA1213)
Whether father who abandons birth mother during pregnancy should be required to consent to adoption (SEA27)
Involuntary commitment of persons with substance abuse disorders (SCR13)
Cultural competency training as a requirement for licensure in healthcare profession (SR34)

MCCOY will be monitoring several of the above-mentioned topics if they are assigned to a study committee, particularly school discipline reform, and will be watching the Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services and Education committees. These committees may be available for live streaming on the Indiana General Assembly’s website http://iga.in.gov/. The calendar on the homepage will tell you when and where the committee is meeting and will provide a link to watch on-line if available. Stay tuned to MCCOY for on-going updates.

When should a foster youth stop receiving youth services?

2014-05-07T09:21:00.001-04:00

Written by: Erica Pahud

(Margrove, 2012)

Most nonprofit foster organizations have an age cut-off of age 18.

The nonprofit organization that I currently work for, Indiana Youth Group, will allow some leniency for 19-year-old "adults," but for the most part, when the youth becomes an adult they are referred to other organizations that offer adult programs. These programs, though valuable, are detached from the continuous care on which foster youth rely.

It is my view that the cut-off for services should apply more to preparedness than age. There are a multitude of reasons why it may be too soon to force an abrupt transition upon reaching adulthood upon age 18 (Stangler, 2014). Some reasons are:

The obvious fact that facing adulthood is more challenging and even frightening to foster youth
Every youth aging out too soon has an impact on social costs, for examples, compensating for youth earning low wages or receiving government assistance
Resources and funds are available to foster care organizations, as there are less resources and funds available for adult organizations/programs
Having policy that allows a transitional period with the option to return to foster care if independent living isn't successful is feasible
Having policy that ensures necessary skills needed in order for youth to succeed have been acquired is feasible

Constant changes in society, for example, the higher demand from employers for applicants to have a Master's degree, reinforce these facts. 30 is the new 20, is it not? Cutting-off a served youth too early could undo positive progress, causing them to significantly backslide.

I would like to share a personal example. My place of employment, Indiana Youth Group, recently received a call from a child that was kicked-out of his home at age 17 with no place to stay. Because Indiana Youth Group is a safe home for kids experiencing family problems, we were able to provide him with information and support, while connecting him to foster care. This particular child showed obvious signs of needing of help. If he didn't need help, he wouldn't have gone online or to the phone book to find our organization. Luckily, foster care will provide him all of the necessary things required for immediate survival as well as future success, but what if he were only allowed to stay for several months. He would enter the foster care system, begin receiving services and recovering from family-related set-backs, and then suddenly be thrust into the "real world" with no option to stay in foster care longer if he so desires.

So what needs to be done?

The answer is in prevention. The way to prevent these problems is to invest more into youth's futures. Investment should focus on quality over quantity with the mind-set that "age is just a number." According to the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative and their "Success Beyond 18" campaign, some success in youth staying in foster care beyond age 18 has already been measured, but more work needs to be done (Success Beyond 18). Extending the age cut-off and allowing transitioning young adults to continue to receive program services until they are fully prepared is the most appropriate means for increasing foster youth success because it is the most achievable and feasible means.

________________________________

Story Source:

The above story is based on information provided by Huff Post Impact.

Article References:

1. Stangler, G. [Web log post]. (2013, July 28). Aging Out of Foster Care: The Costs of Doing Nothing Affect Us All. Huff Post Impact. Retrieved May 5, 2014 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-stangler/aging-out-of-foster-care-_b_3658694.html

2. Success Beyond 18. Retrieved May 5, 2014 from http://jimcaseyyouth.org/success-beyond-18

Photo Credit:

Margrove, R [Web log post]. (2012, May 17). Exam season has begun: feeling stressed? The Guardian.

Retrieved May 6, 2014 from http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2012/may/17/exam-survival-tips

MCCOY's VISTA Recruitment

2014-04-07T13:11:00.001-04:00

MCCOY is seeking 24 high energy individuals who are passionate about helping children learn during the summer months by serving as Summer Learning Coaches in community based summer youth programs. As an Americorps VISTA summer associate, you will work under the supervision and guidance of agency staff to support fun learning activities, especially in reading and math, that will both prevent summer learning loss and promote academic growth. In addition, you will have the chance to have fun, mentor young people, and have a summer experience you won’t soon forget. This is a 10 week commitment from June 2---August 8. Summer VISTAs receive a stipend of $2115 for the 10 week commitment as well as a choice of a $250 cash award or a $1200 education award at the successful conclusion of their term. Training and orientation is provided.

To apply, go to www.americorps.gov Where it says "Join Americorps" , click on children and youth as your interest area and Indiana as the state. The listing of available opportunities will appear and you can select your area of interest.

April Real MCCOY - President's Message

2014-04-07T13:09:00.001-04:00

Written by: John Brandon, President of MCCOY, Inc.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation just published a report entitled “Race for Results: building a path to opportunity for all children” which details the importance of making sure that all children and youth have accessible pathways to the supports, the programs, and the experiences necessary to develop into positive, productive, and contributing citizens. One of the key statements of the reports says “it is time to recognize that our nation can and must do more to ensure that all children are able to reach their full potential in life regardless of their race, ethnicity, or community of residence.”

That same sentence applies to our efforts here in central Indiana to make sure that all young people have what they need to succeed. We have to be willing to have the challenging conversations about the barriers that hold back some children, barriers that exist because of the circumstances of a child’s birth, not because of their talent, potential, or right to be supported. In our recently released Blueprint For Youth, we shine a spotlight on what youth and parents believe are the issues confronting youth today---and we offer recommendations to meet those issues head on.

Our prosperity as a community is linked with how well we adults do our job to prepare the next generation---a generation that includes a diversity of races, ethnicities, cultures, and values. How quickly we grasp that reality and open wide the doors of opportunity to all---as our country has been known to do---will certainly determine the brightness of our future.