Alabama's "Access" program introduces distance learning to the state.

Alabama NBC affiliate WAFF-TV (1/10) reports that Alabama has created a distance learning program called Access which "allows students from all over the state to take specialized courses that may not be offered at their schools."

It is the first program of its kind in Alabama.

"It's pretty easy, it's kind of like watching power point," said Katelynn Walsh, a senior at Madison County High School.

"With possible education budget cuts...programs like Access are important to students, especially in rural areas," according to Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R). And some students, like Eric Neal of Madison County High School, even prefer the distance classes.

"It helps you focus more, without the distraction of a lot of students in the classroom, it just lets you focus on your studies," he said.

California -In an effort to prevent more students from dropping out of high school, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has launched a new campaign targeting at-risk teenagers that will draw on the popularity of Internet Web sites such as YouTube and MySpace as well as on radio spots to feature testimonials from former dropouts. In addition, the district has created a Web site, http://www.myfuturemydecision.com, to highlight alternative ways of earning a diploma and to describe its numerous continuation schools and community college programs.

With more than 25 percent of Los Angeles students dropping out in 2006, LAUSD-the nation's second-largest district-is seeking to reduce the dropout rate by 5 percent this school year.

Texas - More than 20,000 free, new books for adolescent students were distributed to Austin-area schools, libraries and community organizations in November, thanks to a collaborative effort among the U.S. Department of Education, Townsend Press and First Book-a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide books to children in need. The distribution is part of a national campaign to provide 520,000 books to improve the literacy skills of struggling adolescent readers.

Since June 2006, the Department, First Book and major book publishers have distributed more than 1.65 million children's books in hurricane-affected communities and across the country. Most of the titles donated for the Adolescent Readers Initiative are from Townsend Press' Bluford Series, which focuses on a group of urban high school students and their families.

Troubled Teen Check List

I had an overwhelming response last month to the very brief little bio I wrote about how I entered the community of Educational Consulting. Several wrote and asked if I would expand out even more for those who want to start in this business. For me, I always knew I wanted to work with children and families in some capacity.  For years I worked in all different kinds of capacities from a grief counselor to working with those in the juvenile justice system. 

I also knew, that those jobs were not my specific dream. I was anxious to represent children and families but I was not sure what that meant exactly.

So I kept building my skill level in many different ways. 

My solution? 

I started my business while I was working as an Internet consultant in Silicon Valley building online communities for companies like Avery Labels, BP Oil, as well as some Canadian and European companies. I learned more about the Internet that I ever thought I would use. My strategy, however, paid off.  I was able to take some college classes, researched and wrote articles for a local paper and eventually made a transition into running my business full time.

Now I specialize in working with the at-risk population of youth and their families. I am the only college graduate in a family of five children. Plenty of new educational consultants start off wanting to work in a niche practice area with an established educational consulting firm. After a few years, however, I hear from them and they say they feel they are in a rut.

Educational Consultants who make their mark in speciality areas say they are more focused and happier.  It is never too late to refocus once you have learned to be a good educational consultant; you just burrow in and concentrate on becoming an expert in whatever area you have an interest in. I also advise patience. Especially for the younger people.  You need to see beyond your own emotions and be very patient with children, families and with your career.

Listen to the people who tell you to learn how to be an educational consultant first. It wasn't without heartache, yet I am very grateful to all the mentors I had who gave me advice. I now get referrals from my past mentors. I am known for representing children and families in court as well as a strong advocate for getting children help and keeping them out of the court system. My edge is self-taught expertise in the areas of which I have the greatest interest. You have to be willing to spend time on your own to learn the areas of which you have the greatest passion. I spend a lot of time reading articles. and attending conferences with other professionals  I now have a reputation as being well-versed in the areas for which I specialize. I spend my free time developing my expertise on an on going basis. Get experience at any cost.

When I started my business, I spent two weeks of vacation time working for free with an attorney to learn as much about the juvenile judicial system as possible.  Many of the kids I specialize in working with have been arrested, been in juvenile hall, or the family has had CPS / DHS involved. Those two weeks gave me the beginning experience that created an even bigger passion for the work I now do with children and families.

Be a dedicated hard worker and you will succeed.

 Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by children. The maximum age for a juvenile offender varies from state to state, but is most commonly seventeen. By federal law, a juvenile is a person under the age of eighteen when he or she violates the law he or she is charged with.

Governmental bodies, including the federal government, states and cities, prosecute various crimes committed by children, from traffic violations to felonies.  When your child has been charged with a crime, it is essential that you seek legal counsel from an experienced juvenile defense attorney at once so that you can preserve his or her rights and future.

Children involved in juvenile court matters have many of the same rights their parents would have if they were accused of a crime.

These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to cross-examine witnesses against them and the right to be represented by an attorney. Additionally, in most states, juvenile court records are not open to the public, but are sealed, so that no one will be able to access a juvenile record. A juvenile defense attorney can explain and clarify your local practices and take some of the mystery out of a frightening situation.

Parental Liability

Many states have adopted laws that make parents responsible for the actions of their children. Some states impose criminal liability on parents and other states provide that a parent may be sued by a person injured by their child. In addition, many cities and counties have enacted ordinances, or local laws, that make a parent guilty of an offense, such as "failing to supervise a minor," when a child breaks the law. Since the laws vary so much, and since the legal and financial consequences may be severe, you need an experienced juvenile attorney to advise you regarding your rights and responsibilities.

What To Do When Your Child Is Arrested

There can be few more frightening or intimidating telephone calls that a parent can receive than one saying that his or her child has been arrested. The first reaction of most parents is to panic.

What is a parent to do? The first, and seemingly hardest, task is to avoid giving in to that panic. Your child needs your help now, as much as at any other time in his or her life. Panicking helps neither of you. To help you and your child in this most difficult time, you should consult an experienced juvenile defense attorney.

The second task is to keep the disciplinarian in you from clouding your judgment. Many parents of children who are arrested for relatively minor offenses, such as vandalism or shoplifting, are inclined to let the justice system "teach a lesson." Although all children need discipline, a child who is under arrest faces a system that is going to be far more frightening and intimidating than any he or she has ever encountered before. Your child needs your support.

How the Juvenile Justice System Works

The juvenile justice system is based on the adult criminal justice system. The goal of juvenile court may differ from criminal court, however, the processes have similarities in application.

Both systems are based on protecting society and holding law-breakers accountable for his or her actions.

Unlike adults, children may be sent to juvenile court through a variety of ways: arrest, truancy, "running away", curfew violations or referrals from teachers, victims or parents. Some youths enter addiction treatment centers, alternative rehabilitation residential programs or wilderness therapy programs instead of the juvenile court system.  It depends on the court, jurisdiction, if there are safe programs available to help the child or if the parents are financially able to have their child enter into a private residential treatment program by working with an educational consultant who has experience with the juvenile justice and legal system. 

(Many parents finance this need with an educational loan).

Others enter the juvenile justice system and are left to face what is offered, which is often state run programs.

A skilled and knowledgeable defense lawyer and educational consultant can make a skilled team by knowing his or her way around the juvenile justice system and can navigate through the complex procedures to help you attain a fair conclusion for your child. To make sure your child has skilled counsel, turn to an experienced and knowledgeable juvenile defense attorney.

When your adolescent's freedom and future are in jeopardy, experience counts.

DISCLAIMER: The above information is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

Issues Involving the Legal System - How Horizon Family Solutions May Assist

Educational Loan Information

 
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Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling)
Trichotillomania (TTM) causes young children and adolescents to pull out the hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or other parts of the body, resulting in noticeable bald patches.

It is estimated to affect one to two percent of the population, or four to eleven million Americans, and often begins in childhood and adolescence.

How Do I Know If I Have Trichotillomania?
Although the symptoms range greatly in severity, location on the body, and response to treatment, most people with Trichotillomania (TTM) pull enough hair over a long enough period of time that they have bald spots on their heads (or missing eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic, or underarm hair), which they go to great lengths to cover with hairstyles, scarves or clothing, or makeup. The persistence of the compulsion can vary considerably: For some people, at some times, it is mild and can be quelled with a bit of extra awareness and concentration.

For others, the urge may be so strong that it makes thinking of anything else nearly impossible.

What Are Other Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors?
Skin Picking (aka, neurotic excoriation or dermatillomania).

Characterized by repetitive picking of one's skin to the extent it causes damage. Individuals may pick at skin variations such as moles, freckles, or blemishes. This problem can lead to infection and permanent scarring. 

Nail Biting (aka, Onychophagia). Characterized by repetitive biting of one's nails and/or cuticles to the extent it causes pain or damage. This problem can lead to infection and permanent scarring.

What Treatments Are Available?
Research into treatments for trichotillomania has grown steadily over the past decade. Although no one treatment has been found to be effective for everyone, a number of treatment options have shown promise for some people with TTM.

• Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
  Cognitive-Behavior Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that seeks to alter behavior by identifying the precise factors that trigger hair pulling and teaching skills to interrupt and redirect responses to those triggers.
  
• The specific name for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of trichotillomania is Habit Reversal Training or HRT.
  
• An HRT therapist will encourage hair pullers to develop an increased awareness of the times of day, emotional states, and other factors that promote hair pulling, as an important precursor to being able to control the behavior. Then the hair puller will learn strategies to include relaxation as well as an alternative response to pulling.
  
• Pharmacological Therapy
  A number of medications have shown promise in reducing the severity of TTM symptoms. Most of these fall under the category of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.
  
• The effectiveness of these drugs for hair pulling ranges considerably. A small percentage of people find these drugs stop their hair pulling completely, while others experience no effect at all. Still other people have found the urges to pull their hair reduced somewhat, for varying periods of time.
  

If you would like more information on Trichotillomania in Young Children or in general, you may want to contact the Trichotillomania Learning Center at www.trich.org.

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