1. ARLINGTON YOUTH ASSETS & CHALLENGES Selected Findings and Recommendations ARLINGTON HUMAN SERVICE PLANNERS

2. YOUTH ASSETS & CHALLENGES Challenge to Have a Home Challenge to be Safe Challenge to Stay in School Challenge to be Healthy

3. PURPOSE & METHODS PURPOSE: Recognize Assets Assess Needs Identify Services Address Gaps METHODS: Interview Providers and Experts Research Data Listen to Young People Define Youth: ages 10-20 Limit Scope

4. 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS - Search Institute External Building Blocks Family Support Religious Community Caring School Parent Involvement Youth as Resources Internal Building Blocks Integrity Honesty Responsibility Creative Activities Positive View of Future

5. Assets Promote Positive Values & Protect from Risky Behaviors Avg. # of Assets: 18 LESS ASSETS = More Likely To: Use Alcohol, Drugs or Tobacco Be Sexually Active Choose Violence MORE ASSETS = More Likely To Succeed in School Value Diversity Maintain Good Health

6. Youth Demographics 17% increase in AISD enrollment, 1993-1999 Minority enrollment increased from 34% to 50% Enrollment in private, home or charter schools = 10,000+

7. CHALLENGE TO HAVE A HOME

8. HOMELESS YOUTH >AISD Transition Program = 2,700 students in 1999 Program for Homeless Families with Children (the McKinney Act) >Juvenile Runaways - 41% increase, 1993-98

9. The Bridge Emergency Youth Services - Fort Worth >Youth Shelter, 20 beds, stay up to 30 days >Host Home, private home, stay 30 days >Transitional Living, youth ages 16-17, stay up to two years. >STAR (Services to At Risk) Program- serves six counties >Other Services: assessment, counseling, crisis management, family therapy

10. Living with Friends >Short-term Solution >Financial Burden >Behavior Problems >Medical Care >Legal Issues - can become legal guardians

11. Foster Homes >600 children in 1998 >800 children in 1999 >Some with emotional or behavioral issues >More foster care homes needed >Youth up to age 18

12. CHALLENGE TO HAVE A HOME RECOMMENDATION Expand emergency and permanent, safe housing for homeless youth in Arlington.

13. CHALLENGE TO BE SAFE

14. Truancy = a sense of disorder & leads to more delinquent activity 3 in 5 students report skipping school once. Truant students admit theft and drug use. –40% stay at a friend’s home –37% stay at home –20% participate in sexual activity –17% hang out at local businesses –14% consume alcohol or use illegal drugs –7% report other criminal activity

15. Criminal Activity & Gangs 36% increase in youth arrests for violent crimes, 1994-97 6% increase in youth arrests for property crimes, 1994-97 347 youth and 326 adults identified as gang members

16. Crime Victims Youth can be victims and/or perpetrators. Prevention or intervention efforts include: –school resource officers at secondary schools –supervised activities at 8 of 10 middle schools –Youth Peace serves victims of domestic or dating violence (817-460-0606) –Teen Court assigns community service to first- time offenders (4,894 youth = 148,495 hours)

17. Project Safe Place Network of 43 safe places for youth, includes all –Fire Stations –Parks & Rec Centers –Boys & Girls Clubs –CiCi Pizza Sites Counselor comes there Call 817-335-4673

18. CHALLENGE TO BE SAFE RECOMMENDATIONS Create a community where youth are respected and safe. Reach out to youth affected by violence.

19. CHALLENGE TO STAY IN SCHOOL

20. Cost of Dropouts Each year’s class of dropouts cost the State of Texas more than $17 Billion during their lifetimes in direct or indirect economic loses. -Texas Joint Special Interim Committee on High School Dropouts, 1989

21. Dropout Rate  Definition: absent without excuse until the fall or failure to re-enroll the following year  AISD longitudinal dropout rate - over six years: 13.6% leave before the senior year –1 in 10 Anglo students –1 in 6 African-American students –1 in 4 Hispanic students

22. Attrition Rate  Definition: the difference between the same class at the 9th and 12th grade level  Tarrant County attrition rate: 41% fail to graduate from high school –1 in 3 Anglo students –1 in 2 African American students –3 in 5 Hispanic students

23. Prevention Efforts  Reduce Retention - 80% of dropouts are overage for their grade  Make up lost credit - unexcused absences gain an automatic “F”  Enforce truancy laws - notify parents quickly  Prevention Efforts:  Dropout Prevention Advisory Committee  Mentoring or tutoring programs  Truancy Abatement  Positive Peer Leaders  Venture School self- paced learning or night school

24. CHALLENGE TO STAY IN SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS Collect accurate data on youth out of school. Expand student-centered education programs on all campuses. Expand efforts that support youth development and academic success.

25. CHALLENGE TO BE HEALTHY

26. AISD Students Using Tobacco or Alcohol in the Last 30 Days-1998

27. Prevention / Intervention Efforts AISD Programs D.A.R.E. for 6th grade Cluster Intervention Specialists (5) Tarrant Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse hotline: 817-332-6329 Treatment Programs Tarrant Youth Recovery Campus Tarrant Community Outreach Millwood Hospital Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous

28. Mental Health Services 1 in 10 children have a serious emotional disturbance. 2 of 3 young people with mental illness receive no treatment –Center for Mental Health Services Services include: UTA Community Clinic, MHMR, Salesmanship Club Camp, Family Service, Center Street Counseling

29. Physical Health Services Clinics immunize & treat respiratory or ear infections, asthma, rashes or STDs Barriers: –Lack funds for Rx –Lack funds for co-pay –Lack of transportation –Language barriers Other Services: Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - up to 200% of poverty; May 2000 Dental Health for Arlington - clinic and dental screening in 20 elementary schools

30. CHALLENGE TO BE HEALTHY RECOMMENDATIONS Expand accurate data collection, prevention / intervention programs, and treatment services for youth affected by drugs or alcohol. Expand affordable and accessible mental health services for youth and their families. Examine ways to provide health insurance, prevention programs and accessible, quality physical health care services for youth.

31. YOUTH FOCUS GROUPS 21 diverse groups

32. YOUTH FOCUS GROUPS 365 youth

33. Common Findings Transportation would increase access to services. Uniform data collection would identify gaps in services more quickly. A hotline or a single resource to call would help both youth and parents, perhaps a 211 or 311 number.

34. Arlington Human Service Planners 401 West Sanford, Suite 2700 Arlington TX 76011 817-548-9595