1. School Based Efforts: A Plan to Support At-Risk Youth
Nina Franklin
EDU 644: Child & Family Welfare
Dr. Allyson Johnson
April 25, 2015

2. Background
For this presentation, I have assumed the role of the Family School Advocate who has been at an elementary school for the last 3 years.
The intended audience is a group of parents as well as community members and organizations.
The purpose is to inform the audience of the various characteristics of youth at-risk as well, construct ways to overcome the students difficult circumstances, and implement a long term plan.

3. Indicators of Youth At-Risk (National Center for School Engagement)
Homeless or transient
Involved in drugs or alcohol
Abused sexually, physically, or emotionally
Mentally ill
Students with learning disabilities
Neglected at home/stressful living environment
Lacking social or emotional support
Involved with delinquent peers
Multiple unexcused absences from school

4. Youth At Risk Cont. (Ldonline.org)
Behaviors
Short and Long Term Implications
Repeated disciplinary issues
Alienation/isolation from peers
Poor school performance
Depression
Bullying/Harassment
Destructive/careless behavior
School drop out
Runaway
Teenage pregnancy
Juvenile delinquency
Long term substance abuse
Unemployment

5. Creating Solutions Identify the most common issue
Find what drives students to succeed
Eliminate the frequent suspensions
Identify the most common issue
Identify the most common issue: Although students may display an arrangement of issues, the school should pin point which characteristic students display most frequently.
Eliminate frequent suspensions: Many suggest that “pushing” students out of the school when in trouble is the most ineffective way to keep them out of trouble.
Find what drives students to succeed: Though many students of this generation are intrinsically motivated, what will be the determining factor to help them get their priorities back on track?

6. Integrating a Framework
Creating a School Improvement Plan
A School Improvement Plan is a detailed document created at the beginning of the school year with goals and accompanying strategies that the school strives to follow.
The creation of this plan involves the assistance of the principal, teachers, parents, and community members
The plan also sets up S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals in areas such as academics, community involvement, youth development, etc. (CMS,
To see an example of a School Improvement Plan, follow the link below SampleActionPlan.pdf

7. Participant Activity Let’s Play 4 Corners!
After hearing the statements on the next slide read aloud, move to a corner of the room that best represents how you feel (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree). Remain in the center of the room if you feel neutral.
After moving to the best respective corner, consider sharing your thoughts publicly with the rest of the group to initiate discussion.

8. Participant Activity Statements
I feel knowledgeable about my definition of “youth at-risk”.
Without proper intervention/remediation, youth at-risk can face severe short and long term consequences.
I feel comfortable supporting schools and communities in improving the rate of youth at-risk using the suggested solutions.
I feel comfortable assisting with the creation of a school improvement plan.
There are a wide variety of resources available to the public on youth at-risk reform.

9. References
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District (2015). 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
Rubin, A. (2012). Clinician’s guide to evidence-based practice: Programs and interventions for maltreated children and families at risk. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley and Sons.
Western Association for Schools and Colleges. (n.d). School Improvement. Retrieved from