Jaeqwaun focuses on the future ... 4

Family Victories from Youth Villages North Carolina Spring 2012

The Cemala Foundation supports Youth Villages ... 5

Youth Villages celebrates 25 years ... 4

Employee campaign helps our families ... 6

2

A message from

Our director

Demanding more from ourselves means more successful outcomes

NORTH CAROLINA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

YOUTH VILLAGES NORTH CAROLINA OFFICES

Asheville 38 Rosscraggon Road, Suite 38C

Asheville, NC 28803 phone: 828-654-7700

fax: 828-654-7701

Boone 895 State Farm Road, Bldg. 500, Suite 506 Boone, NC 28607

Charlotte 2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230

Charlotte, NC 28217 phone: 704-357-7920

fax: 704-357-7921

Concord 363 Church St. North, Suite 200

Concord, NC 28025 phone: 704-262-1320

fax: 704-262-1322

Raleigh-Durham 100 Capitola Dr., Suite 310

Durham, NC 27713 phone: 919-474-6400

fax: 919-474-6401

Greensboro 7900 Triad Center, Suite 350

Greensboro, NC 27409 phone: 336-931-1800

fax: 336-931-1801

Greenville 2428 Charles Blvd.

Greenville, NC 27858phone: 252-215-5700

fax: 252-215-5701

Pinehurst 5228 North Carolina Highway 211

P.O. Box 1138 West End, NC 27376 phone: 910-673-8520

fax: 910-673-8521

Doug Cruitt — Winston-SalemLee Prevost — CaryElizabeth Skvarla — PinehurstKristin Wade — CharlotteJohn White — DurhamCarole Wilson — RaleighLeigh Young — Asheville

Since 2006, Youth Villages has provided Multisystemic Therapy to thou-sands of North Carolina young people and families.

In this newsletter we highlight Jaeqwaun, who experienced a series of trag-edies, one after another, and it was more than he could take. Only 13 years old, he didn’t know how to cope with the stressful issues he was facing.

As a result, his behavior changed for the worse, and he was referred to Youth Villages’ MST in-home services. After a few months of intensive work with Jaeqwaun, his mother and grandmother, Jaeqwaun now talks about what he wants to do in the future. His mother, Shae, is enthusiastic about Jaeqwaun’s future. He likes being at home with his mother. MST was what the family needed to turn Jaeqwaun’s life around, because counselor Janiva Wil-lis worked with the entire family to help Jaeqwaun.

MST is built on the principle and scientific evidence that a seriously troubled child’s behavioral problems are multidimensional and must be con-fronted using multiple strategies. The serious behavior problems of a child typically stem from a combination of influences, including family factors, deviant peer groups, problems in school or the community, and individual characteristics. The MST model calls for simultaneously addressing all of those inter-related areas.

Jaeqwaun is only one story highlighting Youth Villages’ effectiveness. In fact, since we began offering MST in North Carolina, the number of children and families we’ve helped has grown each year.

Youth Villages is the largest provider of MST in the state. According to data provided by MST, Youth Villages exceeds national outcomes averages in all three categories: Percent of youth living at home; percent of youth in school and/or working; and percent of youth having no involvement with the law.

Youth Villages was the first organization to spread MST outside of clinical trials, beginning in Tennessee. Today, more North Carolina children are liv-ing successfully at home with their families because of this effective program and our dedicated staff.

Annie SmithState Directorannie.smith@youthvillages.org910-673-8501

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NORTH CAROLINAPROGRAM SUCCESS

Where are you from originally? “I am originally from Wilkesboro,

N.C.”

How long have you worked with Youth Villages?

“I started in the Johnson City, Tenn., office in April 2011 and moved to the Boone office in November 2011.”

Why did you decide to work at Youth Villages? “I believe in the strength of families and the importance

of keeping families together. I love working with young people and seeing them meet their goals.”

What do you like best about your job? “Helping families and the youth be successful and

make positive changes in their lives.”

What’s something most people don’t know about you?“I love hats and wish I could wear a fancy hat every

day!”

Rachel MinickMST CounselorBoone, N.C.

The graph above represents the status of North Carolina youth at one year after discharge through December 2011. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 53 percent.

OutcomesAt 12-month Follow-upAt 12 month Follow up

0

20

40

60

80

100

84%

74%

84%

At hom

e with fam

ily

No involvem

entw

ith the law

In school or graduated

*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.

Program Success

As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

At the age of 10, Keyona entered foster care, and was eventually placed with her grandmother.

After her grandmother passed away, Keyona began to bounce from family to family — six to be exact.

After graduating from high school in Guilford County, Keyona began searching for stable hous-

ing. She needed to get a job. She wanted to go to col-

lege, but she didn’t know where to go or how to go about filling out a job or col-lege application.

Her Guilford County Links coordinator referred Keyona to Youth Villages’ transitional living program.

The TL program provides young adults leaving foster

care with the intensive support and guidance they need to make a success-ful transition to adulthood. The program helps young people learn to deal with the minor and major prob-lems that come with adult-hood. TL specialists help participants find housing and health services, learn how to access transporta-tion and meet their basic needs. Specialists teach life

Meet the YV family

KEYONA, A YV SCHOLAR, HAS PLANS TO GIVE BACKTransitional living program

providing support as Keyona becomes more independent

Keyona

Jaeqwaun had a lot hap-pen to him at once.

Close family members passed away. He was abused at his school and then he was taken out of his mother’s home for a short time.

It was maybe too much to handle for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old. Jaeqwaun began to act out while at school. It was serious. He was even referred twice for partial-day hospitaliza-tion for school disruptions. School problems occurred daily. When he moved back home with his mother, Shae, the troubles continued.

“He was referred to us for his aggressive and other negative behaviors at school,” said Janiva Wil-lis, Youth Villages North Carolina family intervention specialist. “It was constant, daily disruptions at school.”

During her first visit to the home, Janiva first noticed the relationship between Jaeqwaun and his mother – it was good, but there weren’t any bound-aries. Shae had difficulty following through with con-sequences for Jaeqwaun’s poor choices, which esca-lated the behavior.

“In the home, there wasn’t any consistency,” Shae said. “I didn’t follow through with rewards for good behaviors or consequences for bad ones.”

Janiva said Shae’s issues may have been because of guilt over what Jaeqwaun had endured. They were more like friends than a mother and a son. Janiva first worked with the family to increase structure and routine in the home and define for Jaeqwaun exactly what was expected of him at home and at school. Shae

worked with Jaeqwaun’s teachers to set up behavior plans at school.

“We did a lot of coach-ing and role playing and Shae did a great job as an advocate for Jaeqwaun at school,” Janiva said. “She bought in from day one and we were all on the same page to help Jaeqwaun get better.”

Jaeqwaun learned coping skills to better handle his frustration at school.

“I learned breathing tech-niques, using personal time out and how to communi-cate appropriately with my teachers,” Jaeqwaun said. “If I’m frustrated or don’t want to do something, I find a way to ask for help.”

Janiva met with the family three times a week. Some sessions focused on Jae-qwaun’s issues, while others were about Shae and the home life. But both mother and son met with Janiva, who said they were commit-ted to the program.

“The change was immedi-ate,” Janiva said. “We start-ed rolling out expectations and they worked together on the rewards – you saw an immediate change in how they interacted and how Jaeqwaun behaved.”

Janiva said Jaeqwaun and his mother are looking forward to their new future as a family.

“You could just tell Janiva really cared,” Shae said. “She cared to see a differ-ence with the family, and we want to keep working on our new skills and help sustain the changes we’ve made in the home.”

Jaeqwaun is improving at school. Extended fam-ily completes a support network for mother and son, and all are enthusiastic

about Jaeqwaun’s future.“Before I was off task and

stayed negative,” Jaeqwaun said. “Now, things are fun

and I’m getting along well with my mother and doing better at school.”

JAEQWAUN WEATHERS THE STORM, NOW FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

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Jaeqwaun and his mother, Shae, center, with family counselor Janiva.

Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986 with the merger of two residential campuses, Youth Villages now of-fers a complete continuum of programs and services with one goal in mind: building strong families.

With more than 25 years of experience in children’s mental and behavioral health, Youth Villages developed a specific approach that has been shown to give children with the most challenging emotional and behavioral problems and their families their best chance at long- term success. We call this approach Evidentiary Fam-

ily RestorationTM. All our programs and

services operate under this approach, which emphasizes five elements: family, measurement, community, intensity and ac-countability.

Today, Youth Villages prac-tices EFR with more than 18,000 youth and fami-

lies each year in 11 states and the District of Columbia through an array of residen-tial, in-home and communi-ty-based programs.

North Carolina is Youth Villages’ second-largest state, serving more than 70 counties through intensive in-home and community-based programs.

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The force for families

VILLAGES®

The force for families

VILLAGES®

YV CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HELPING KIDS AND FAMILIES

The Cemala Foundation recently awarded Youth Villages $50,000 over two years to help sustain the transi-tional living program in the Greens-boro area.

Youth Villages’ transitional living program provides young adults leav-ing foster care, juvenile justice and mental health systems the intensive in-home support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood.

“The Cemala Foundation Board members made this investment anticipating great outcomes from the transitional living program,” said Susan Schwartz, executive director of The Cemala Foundation. “We are hopeful that many young people leav-ing foster care will receive the support they need to have successful, produc-tive lives.”

The Cemala Foundation’s gift will be matched by The Day Foundation’s

challenge grant to provide a total of $100,000 in support, helping ensure that youth will continue to have long-term success through Youth Villages’ research-based programs.

The Cemala Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1986 by Martha A. and Ceasar Cone II to continue the family tradition of com-mitment to enhancing the quality of life of the community though grants to qualified charitable organizations.

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THE CEMALA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS YOUTH VILLAGES

skills like budgeting, menu planning and grocery shopping.

Keyona is a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro and has even made the dean’s list. She is also a YV Scholar, which means she receives financial and personal supports, including a Youth Villages mentor, to help her excel and take full advantage of her educational experi-ence.

Each year, Youth Villages selects as YV Scholars a group of young people

participating in its transitional living program. As YV Scholars, these young adults from across the country receive extra support from Youth Villages to go to college and make a success-ful transition to adulthood. The YV Scholars program is made possible through private donations, including gifts from Youth Villages’ own employ-ees, who give to the program through the annual Our Family Campaign. To maintain the scholarship, the youth have to maintain academic and com-munity service requirements.

Keyona is majoring in social work and plans to graduate from North Carolina A&T and become a profes-sional social worker, helping youth in foster care.

KEYONAfrom page 3

With the help of community mem-bers across North Carolina, Youth Villages placed first in the Starbucks Community Card Promotion, Vote Give Grow, earning $35,000 to support programs across the state.

Individuals with registered Star-

bucks cards were able to vote once a week throughout the month of April to help determine how the Starbucks Foundation distributed $4 million to 124 local non-profit organizations. Youth Villages also placed first in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Oregon

and Tennessee, resulting in $145,000 in overall support for the youth and families we serve.

YOUTH VILLAGES WINS FIRST PLACE IN STARBUCKS CAMPAIGN

Above, Keyona prepares a self-assessment using different cards during a YV Scholars meeting. Keyona plans to become a social worker follow-ing graduation.

In the left photo, YV scholars recently gathered in Atlanta, Ga., and toured the CNN building. In addition to the CNN tour, the scholars also visited the Georgia Aquarium.

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Dozens of Youth Villages’ youth and families had the opportunity to attend the Belk Bowl game in Charlotte, N.C., in December, courtesy of the University of Louisville Athletic Depart-ment.

Families as far away as Asheville, N.C., traveled to the game and enjoyed the action from the first rows of the stadium.

“It was the best time our family has had in a long time,” said Dale Day from Millers Creek. “Our seats were great; we could see the whole field!”

Thank you to the University of Louisville for supporting Youth Villages.

LOUISVILLE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DONATES BOWL TICKETS

A big thanks to all Holiday Heroes who helped children and families throughout North Carolina experience the joy of a memorable holiday season. From wrapping par-ties in Raleigh, to events in Greensboro and Charlotte, it wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Youth Villages would like to take a moment to recognize some of our Holiday Heroes sponsors who combined to provide more than $13,000 in support:

HOLIDAY HEROES PROVIDES $13,000 IN SUPPORT

Holiday Heroes volunteer LaRo-sha Paul drops off Holiday Heroes gifts to benefit children at Youth Villages.

Meggie Cenci, Derek Stutts and Rob Honeycutt show their holiday spirit at the Youth Villages Holiday Heroes event in Charlotte, N.C.

Wish List Warrior

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

Cheer Maker

Great American Professional Risk Insurance

Holiday Helper

Brazwell’s Premium Pub

NC Department of Corrections

OrthoCarolina

Piedmont Air Conditioning

Storr Office Environments Inc.

Gift Guardian

AT&T Greensboro

Big Dreamz Mentoring

Butler Delivery Service

CaroTrans

Coastal Outlet

George’s Pizza

Mac Daddy’s

Progressive Computer Systems Inc.

Rapha Family Foot Care

Stan Beck Insurance

Synergy Commercial Advisors

Wil-Mar Service Center Inc.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities employees show off their gift-wrapping skills in the Youth Villages Raleigh-Durham office.

Dale Day’s family members, Angie and Jasmine, pose outside Bank of America Stadium.

Youth Villages North Carolina would like to thank our dedicated staff members for their commitment to Youth Villages’ mission and for helping the organization serve more children and families through the Our Family Cam-paign.

In September 2011, North Carolina employees came together to enjoy Jeopardy-themed fun while pledging more than $45,300 to benefit children, families and staff across the state. Since 1998, Youth Villages employees have given more than $6.9 million dollars to support the work of our organization.

Employee campaign helps our families

YV staff celebrate during the Our Family Campaign.

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The Cemala FoundationThe Duke Endowment

Hodges Family FoundationRichard W. Jennings Foundation

The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation

Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesBrazwell’s Premium Pub

Great American Professional Risk InsuranceHealthy Minds Now

NC Department of CorrectionOrthoCarolina

Piedmont Air ConditioningPremier Inc.

Progressive Computer Systems Inc.Rapha Family Foot Care

Storr Office Environments Inc.Synergy Commercial Advisors

Wil-Mar Service Center Inc.Leslie Bevacqua-Coman

Anna Browning Douglas CruittMelissa Dolesh

Josh FoltzGlen Graves

Frederick HessRobert Honeycutt

Frankie and Jim HoneycuttSusan and Jeff Hoyle

Bryan Hunt Douglas Miskew

Dr. Rochelle MikkelsenClayton Owens

Scharme and Lee PrevostElizabeth and John Skvarla

Dr. Karl ThorMelissa Verdery

Kristin WadeCarole and Brad Wilson

A Note of Thanks

To all those who have supported our work in North Carolina though a leader-ship gift during the last year, thank you. Your continued generosity allows us to provide the most effective services to children and families.

Looking for an expert on behavioral or mental health? Contact Stephanie Hoyle at stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org or 704-357-7943 to ask how a Youth Villages expert can benefit your organiza-tion or community group.

To find out if Youth Villages can help you with a child in your care, contact Sarah O’Reilly at sarah.o’reilly@youthvillages.org, call 704-357-7946, or visit www.youthvillages.org/referring-professionals.aspx to fill out a completely confidential questionnaire.

Join Youth Villages in a unique opportunity to help children in need put their best foot forward this school year. Backpack Heroes provides new school supplies for underserved children receiving help from Youth Villages. For more information on how to help, con-tact Stephanie Hoyle at 704-357-7943 or stephanie.hoyle@youthvil-lages.org.

Interested in receiving the New Heights newsletter online? Sign up for our e-newsletter and we will send you a free Youth Villages T-shirt. Visit support.youthvillages.org/NCtshirt and enter your information.

Has your child been a victim of bullying? Youth Villages’ MST consultants have provided the following tips for helping your family identify and prevent bullying.

1. Teach your teens to tell a trusted teacher, parent or family friend if they are victims of bullying.

2. Parents should set up meetings with school staff, children’s par-ents or other adults who can work to stop the bullying.

3. Monitor teens’ Internet and phone access as cyber bullying is on the rise. Monitor the information your teen adds to social media sites and the comments and messages your teen receives as well as text messages.

4. Bullying can have consequences on our teens’ emotional well being. Watch out for any signs of depression, including isolation, increased irritability, giving away possessions, written or oral com-munications with a theme of death or depression and/or abuse of alcohol or other substances. Monitor your teen appropriately and connect with mental health services immediately (emergency room for immediate danger, family counselor, psychiatrist, pediatrician, etc.)

5. Teach your teen to respect others by modeling appropriate com-munication and by setting appropriate limits for your teen’s commu-nication with others in the home, school and community settings.

YV COMMUNITY TIPS: HELP PREVENT BULLYING

STAY INFORMED ON THE FORCE FOR FAMILIES

LEARN MORE ABOUT YV

BACKPACK HEROES

Stay in touch online

www.facebook.com/youthvillages

www.twitter.com/youthvillages

youthvillages.wordpress.com

www.youthvillages.org

YOUTH VILLAGES2815 Coliseum Centre Dr., Suite 230Charlotte, NC 28217(Address Service Requested)

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than18,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities:Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, MobileArkansas: Jonesboro, Little RockFlorida: Lakeland, Miami, TampaGeorgia: Atlanta, DouglasvilleIndiana: Bloomington, Jeffersonville, MadisonMassachusetts: Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, WorcesterMississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, TupeloNew Hampshire: ManchesterNorth Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-DurhamTennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City,Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, ParisWashington, D.C.

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES

Please e-mail stephanie.hoyle@youthvillages.org or call 704-357-7943 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

New Heights North Carolina is published by Youth VillagesManaging Editor: Stephanie HoyleAssociate Editor: Chris Pennington

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live success-fully. The organization helps more than 18,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washing-ton, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprec-edented accountability to families and funders. The EFR approach produces lasting success for children, with success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care.