Samantha Winkelman EDU 644: Child & Family Welfare Instructor Johnson August 17, 2015

What to Expect…Key Points Introduction Who Am I Purpose Indicators of Youth At-Risk Effects & Implications of being At-Risk Solutions Types Your Role Let’s Get Going Activity!

Introduction- Who Am I? Samantha Winkelman Military & Family Life Counselor A.k.a. MFLC Pronounced “M-Flac” Work with children and youth Ages 6 weeks- 18 years old Military bases and surrounding schools My purpose Provide extra support to those working with children/youth, families, and children/youth.

You & A Purpose My goal To inform and work with you as a team. School (center) directors/principals, fellow MFLCs, and teachers/caregivers What is the Purpose? To inform Bring awareness Find solutions Create and Be advocates for children/youth

Indicators Youth at-risk are seen as having a “future with less than optimal outcomes” (National Center for School Engagement, n.d.) Examples of Youth At-Risk (National Center for School Engagement, n.d.) Homeless or transient Involved in drugs or alcohol Abused sexually, physical, or emotionally Mentally ill Learning Disability (Morrison & Cosden, 1997, p. 3) “The presence of a learning disability is, in itself, a risk factor” 33%-47% dropout of school 50% of juvenile offenders have a LD Neglected at home Stressful home/family life and environment Lack of supports Associates with delinquent individuals

Effects & Implications Associated Behaviors Drinking/Substance abuse Truancy/delinquency Running away (living on the streets) Sexually active Early and unwanted pregnancy (Anthony, Alter, & Jenson, 2009) Fighting/violence Bullying/harassment Acts of vandalism Disruptive behaviors “Acting out” negatively (National Center for School Engagement, n.d.).

Effects & Implications (cont’d.)… Implications of Behaviors Suspension/detention Low grades Do not graduate Drop out of school Obtain low-paying jobs Unemployed Future Criminal behavior “In 2010 in the United States, nearly 13% of arrestees were under age 18. Data indicate that juveniles committed more than 13% of all violent crimes and nearly 23% of all property crimes” (Celinska, Furrer, Cheng, 2013, para.2).

Solutions…Creating the Framework Re-engaging Youth Provide resources Treatment Therapy Support groups Creating a Positive School Climate Smaller Class Sizes Teacher to student ratio Encourage Parent Involvement Mentorships Collaboration Teacher-parent, teacher-student, teacher-teacher

Solutions- Integrating the Framework Your role…what you can do Make classes more intimate…Academies As seen in the Biotech Academy (Edutopia, Oct 2013) Teach to students interests (academies) Start a Mentorship With teachers, local business/organizations School-community collaboration Positivity-Towards ALL! Encouragement High Expectations Participation (Bernard, B., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, N.Y., 1997)

Let’s Get Going-Activity Scenario challenge! Participants break off into groups. Each given a scenario/background on a student at-risk Goal: Come up with possible solutions that can be taken to help redirect/re-engage student. Either by teacher(s) or school as a whole Share with everyone in attendance Feedback

References Anthony, E.K., Alter, C.F., & Jenson, J.M. (2009). Development of a risk and resilience-based out-of-school time program for children and youths. Social Work, 54(1), Retrieved from the EBSCOhost database. doi: /sw/ Bernard, B., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, N.Y. (1997). Turning it around for all youth: From risk to resilience. ERIC/CUE Digest, Number 126. Retrieved from Celinska, K., Furrer, S., & Cheng, C. (2013). An outcome-based evaluation of functional family therapy for youth with behavioral problems. Journal of Juvenile Justice, 2(2), Retrieved from [Edutopia.] (October 1, 2003). Biotech Academy: A catalyst for change [Video file]. Retrieved from Morrison, G., & Cosden, M. (1997). Risk, resilience, and adjustment of individuals with learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 20, Retrieved from National Center for School Engagement. (n.d.). Serving at-risk youth. Retrieved from