National Indian Child Welfare Association Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can build for our children - Sitting Bull

Melissa Clyde, MSW, Community Development Specialist, NICWA Denver Indian Family Resource Center Youth Representatives August 21, 2007 Circles of Care Grantee Meeting, Denver, CO Welcome! Youth Guided Model: What does it mean

Acknowledge Our Elders Present Raised to respect our Elders and the role they have in our communities Must apologize to the elders present today they are the true teachers Keep the fire going

The Voice of the Youth You have a sacred place within your family, community, and tribe You are important You can be successfulhealthyhappy We want to hear your voice E.g. Music, words, traditional outfit, storytelling

The Voice of the Youth As babies you were able to cry and be heard You can ask for all your wants and needs in a RESPECTFUL manner You fit into a circle of relationships that is only balanced with your voice

The Voice of the Youth You cannot have a movement until you have included the youth.

Youth Guided Youth guided means that young people have the right to be empowered, educated, and given a decision making role in the care of their own lives as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all youth in the community, state, and nation. Youth will get empowered to create a safe place/environment through culture and beliefs. Service providers should recognize that there is a continuum of power, choice, understanding and maturity of young people. We should build on the young peoples strengths. Youth guided also means that the process should be fun and worthwhile. Osher, Federation of Families for Childrens Mental Health and Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, CMHS, SAMHSA

Youth-Guided Youth have rights. Youth are utilized as resources. Youth have an equal voice and are engaged in developing and sustaining the policies and systems that serve and support them. Youth are active partners in creating their individual support plans. Youth have access to information that is pertinent. Youth are valued as experts in creating systems transformation Youths strengths and interests are focused on and utilized. Adults and youth respect and value youth culture and all forms of diversity. Youth are supported in a way that is developmentally targeted to their individual needs. Osher, Federation of Families for Childrens Mental Health and Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, CMHS, SAMHSA

Youth MOVE Vision We the members of Youth MOVE envision a system of care in which every young person that enters any youth-serving system is successfully prepared for life. We help guide the redevelopment of the system so that no youth falls through the cracks. We advocate for youth to utilize their power to foster change in their communities and in their own lives. Youth MOVE works toward the day when all people will recognize and accept the culture of youth, their families, and the communities that serve them in order to be truly culturally-competent. Youth MOVE looks forward to the day when youth are no longer treated as numbers, problems, or caseloads, but as individuals and humans. We will all stand as partners: youth, youth advocates, supporters, parents, and professionals, to see our youth become successful.

Youth MOVE Vision Every young person that enters any youth serving system is successfully prepared for life No youth should fall through the cracks Empower the youth to foster change in their community and life Receive services that are culturally competent Youth should be treated as individuals and humans Youth should grow up in communities, not programs

Why do some youth make it and become successful? Resiliency: Care Support High expectations Opportunities to participate Develop problem solving skills Positive relationships with adults Sense of competence, safety, identity, autonomy, purpose, respect and future

Example: Circles of Care Youth TrackDenver, CO August 2007 Services are developed over a series of planning stages CoC participants recognized that the youth play a major role in the Team and want to hear their voices, experiences, etc. We are including them in a leadership activity, participate in meetings, share presentations through stories, pictures, music, dance, etc.

Navajo Example Young girl going through a Puberty Ceremony She asked for the ceremony on her own She learned about the ceremony by talking to local elders Program, families, community supported her

Daw, 2006

Relational Worldview Creation Storyall original people of this part of the world are the People Our Creation Story is explained to us as children in our native language Its a voice that we must learn how to carry forward for future generationsyour parents and elders teach you this is many ways

Relational Worldview Connection to our Land Relationship with our surroundings and others (animals, plants, land formations) Our life is about maintaining a balanceit is a beautiful We are survivorswe are still here

Ke Each individual has a relationship with another person, place, the world (Daw, 2006)

Listening Listen, before talking. Think, before, talking. (Daw, 2006)

Reverence Responsibility is for each person to respect and to honor self and relationships. (Daw, 2006)

Belonging Premise: all persons belong and have purpose. (Daw, 2006)

Spirituality Indigenous Understanding of Balance ach'ąh sodizin: protective blessingach'ąh sodizin: protective blessing Hozho ji: celebratory blessingHozho ji: celebratory blessing (Daw, 2006)(Daw, 2006)

In Closing: Beauty Way May there be Beauty before me, May there be Beauty behind me, May there be Beauty above me, May there be Beauty under me, May there be Beauty all around me. I hope you to will find Beauty in who you are and where you fit in this World. Ahee (Thank you)

For More Information National Indian Child Welfare Association 5100 SW Macadam Ave. Suite 300 Portland, OR Ext Melissa Clyde, MSW, Community Development Specialist