August 6, 2014

Prevention Work with City Youth
Written by Brian Doyle, Chief Executive Officer

 

      It won't be long before school is back in session and our work with Poughkeepsie City teens will turn from the Summer Youth Employment Program to the resumption of the Teen Resource Activity Center (TRAC) school year program.  

       I am particularly excited that September will bring with it a new curriculum for TRAC, one that is geared specifically toward steering kids away from gang activity and substance abuse, two important areas in which Family Services hopes to make headway in keeping our kids safe and on a good life's course.  The use of the curriculum is being funded through a grant the Dutchess County Agency Partner Grant Program, following a competitive proposal process.  

        While open to all youth ages, 13 to 18, and expecting to reach 80 teens, our outreach will focus on youth who face the challenges of family dysfunction, teen pregnancy, foster care, homelessness, juvenile justice issues, poverty and/or academic failure.  

       We will be using two nationally recognized, evidence-based programs - The SPORT PROGRAM and The Phoenix Gang Intervention and Prevention curriculum.

The SPORT PROGRAM is a strength based approach designed to increase health enhancing behaviors like physical activities, sports participation, healthy eating and getting adequate sleep while avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. SPORT targets naturally motivating, positive images to increase personal goal setting and improve multiple habits and positive self-identity.  This program is designed to help youth look and feel more active, fit and healthy by have them 1) identify key behavior that enhance fitness and health along with habits that interfere with reaching fitness behavior goals and positive self-images 2) think of positive images in youth engaged in health promoting behaviors and desired images of themselves in the future 3) make a commitment to sit and track multiple goals to increase fitness and health promoting behaviors while avoiding fitness- harming behaviors, as well as increasing the number of times parents/ guardians talk with and remind their youth to sit and monitor short term behavior goals to improve their health, fitness and positive self-identity.

      The Phoenix Gang Intervention and Prevention curriculum guides the students to develop self-efficacy in identifying and addressing the highest risk factors for substance abuse, violence, bullying, gang involvement, and other crime. In the case of this program, self-efficacy will include the ability to recognize high risk people, places, things, and situations, and have confidence that they can handle these risk factors effectively using their new capabilities. These new capabilities and skills include a range of coping options for avoidance, escape, refusal, gang resistance, and violence prevention.

Self-efficacy is a known key to successful gang intervention and gang prevention. To develop self-efficacy, the students will demonstrate competence in skills such as problem solving, problem avoidance, refusal and "escape" skills, coping effectively with their highest risk factors, asking for help from safe and supportive people, feelings management (self-monitoring and emotional intelligence), gang resistance, and impulse control. 

    From my standpoint it is important, whenever possible, to utilize best practices gleaned from such evidenced based programs as these, in order to ensure the greatest success.  

       Despite the general scarcity of youth funding, Family Services has maintained the 15 year old TRAC program as a free-of-charge program through dedicated staff, volunteer efforts and small grants from generous benefactors such as the AT&T Foundation, the TD Bank Foundation, Nuhn Charitable Trust, Dutchess County Division of Youth Services, the Dyson Foundation and, now, the Dutchess County Agency Partner Grants Program.

     We take pride in the work of the TRAC staff and volunteers who, every day, try to make a difference in the lives of City youth, by being adults who let these kids know they care about them.

Featured Story

It's 3 p.m. Do you know where your teenagers are?

 

         Thanks to funding through the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board, 25 teenagers from the City of Poughkeepsie are spending their time this summer gaining valuable work experience through the Family Services Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Under this program, youth participants of the Teen Resource Activity Center (TRAC) are spending their summer working at the Poughkeepsie City School District, The City of Poughkeepsie Recreation Department and Family Services programs through the Children's Center at Family Court, Maintenance, Reception, Security and the Crime Victims program.

        The youth, ages 14-17, were given hands on training from SYEP Youth Development Specialists Dennis Dean and Wendy Figueroa on such topics that included dress code, punctuality, interviewing skills and time management. The Junior Achievement Curriculum, conducted by the Dutchess One Stop Career Center, holds in depth trainings on subjects that include "Communication and Conflict Management" and "Critical Thinking and Creativity".

 

From the Left Shaquan Bailey, Odie Smith, & Sharief Dean-Holmes 

        "I have facilitated the Junior Achievement (JA) Career Success Program for two summers and feel it is a crucial step in preparing students with skills needed to enter long term employment" says Meghan Heady-Amara, a field coordinator of the Dutchess One Stop Career Center. "I share with the students the hardest part is not obtaining a job but pursuing your passion, maintaining employment and growing not only as an employee but an individual. "

        In addition to learning skills from on the job training, the youth are discovering that there is more to work than just a paycheck.

       "Meeting new people and having the opportunity and experience of having a job is my favorite part of the program," said Sharief Dean-Holmes, now in his fourth year as a Summer Youth Employment Program participant. Through the program, Sharief has worked for the City of Poughkeepsie School District Food Services department and the Family Services maintenance department.

Da'Shawna Sellers

       "You have to use the opportunity you have and don't take the job for granted because it prepares for you for real life" says Dean-Holmes. This year, he works alongside the Family Services security department and has learned a great deal about the work environment and has used his experience to reflect on the work force. "

     If you would like more information on Youth Services and the Teen Resource Activity Center, please contact Michele Franks at 845-452-1110 x3297.

  

Youth Board Repurposed with Focus on Youth Empowerment 

        County Executive Marcus Molinaro has announced the Dutchess County Youth Board has been repurposed as the Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council to better address the current needs and challenges facing Dutchess County's youth.

          The new law continues the work of the Youth Board and infuses it with much needed experience, guidance and skills found with agencies and organizations serving children in Dutchess County and expands the scope of the board's mission with new goals and objectives. As originally outlined in his 2014 State of the County address, County Executive Molinaro is modeling the Youth Board and Coordinating Council after the successful Criminal Justice Council with focus on strengthening the community and family interaction with youth in an effort to prevent crime, improve quality of life, and empower young people to lead productive lives and achieve greater success for themselves and their families.

            County Executive Molinaro said, "The future of Dutchess County relies on the success of our youth. By examining community risk factors, studying best practices, and developing strategies to better address the challenges confronting young people today, we can focus on recreational needs, teen violence, gang activity, child abuse and exploitation. The Council is one of many groups that will tackle the ongoing effort to address drug addiction in our community. The repurposed Dutchess County Youth Board will also work to strengthen the relationship between County services, local non-profit organizations, and community-minded individuals through the development of community coalitions." 

        Brian Doyle, who will serve on the Board and is CEO of Family Services said, "I applaud County Executive Molinaro's initiative and the Legislature's support for the reconstitution of the County's Youth Board. Our Crime Victims Assistance Program witness the long-lasting hardships faced by families that have lost loved ones as a result of gang violence. At the same time, in our After School Programs, we see the promise inherent in each child. The County's aggressive commitment to evaluate and develop preventative measures surrounding this issue will strengthen our community, families and youth."

        The Dutchess County Legislature unanimously approved the change at their July meeting. County Legislature Minority Leader Barbara Jeter-Jackson said, "The reorganization of the Youth Board will bring together local volunteers throughout the County to more effectively engage the community and empower our young people. As a Legislative Liaison to the Youth Board, I look forward to expanding our efforts with the new Coordinating Council so that together we can invest in Dutchess County's greatest asset - its young people."

         Kathleen Murphy, Executive Director of The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Inc. said, "Child abuse is one of many issues that will be the continued focus of the newly reconstituted Youth Board and Coordinating Council. The presence of various youth organizations will provide enhanced collaboration and valuable insight, knowledge and expertise regarding the problems and issues faced by our County's youth."

      "On behalf of Dutchess County Government and its residents, thank you to those willing to serve on the Youth Board and Coordinating Council. I look forward to the work of this Council," concluded County Executive Molinaro.

         The Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council operate under the auspices of the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, Division of Youth Services. 
Staff & Volunteers
Employee Recognition: Lori Rotolo
Lori possesses a rare combination of skills and talents. Sh
e is efficient and organized, but also creative, en
terprising and innovative.  She is constantly striving to learn more and do more.  We often say that we can get a lot done if we don't care who gets the credit, but Lori has taken our work plan deliverables and made them soar.  She is a tremendous asset to Family Services and, by the way, is also hysterically funny, making each day a great day to be at work.
Recent Events
Mural Unveiling at the Family Partnership Center

 On Thursday, local artist Nestor Madalengoitia and teens involved with Family Services youth programs unveiled the murals for guests and officials.Community and social justice are the central themes running through the 14 different scenes.To see footage of the mural unveiling, visit www.poughkeepsiejournal.com 

 

 

Type caption text here.From the Left: Senator Terry Gipson, Nestor Madalengoitia, & Tree Arrington

 

Darell Green & his mother Alicia 
Family Services' Domestic Violence Services hosted their first annual Freedom from Fear event

On June 30th  at Carlo's Trattoria in Lagrange. With over 65 people in attendance and a live and silent auction, this important event raised money to support crucial services provided to victims of domestic violence. Falling during the week we celebrate Independence Day, this event supported liberty and justice for victims of domestic violence. The event recognized the right for everyone to live free from violence and experience liberty and justice in their homes and in their relationships.Thank you to all who supported the event through both attending and donating, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

      

 

In This Issue
By the Numbers: 25 TRAC participants employed through the Family Services Summer Youth Employment Program funded by Dutchess County Workers Investment Bureau

Quick Links



Leadership Partner

Family Services' 2013-2014 Leadership Partner
http://www.health-quest.org/


Upcoming Events

Family Services' Family Education Program

Invites you to our Summer Sizzle!

Friday, August 8

5pm-7pm

744-746 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401

at 

 

$25 Advanced TICKETS $30 AT THE DOOR

Ticket Price Includes:

Draft Beer * House Wine *Assorted Appetizers *Live Music

For tickets and information contact 845-331-5641  

Amy x 223  Denise x 221  

 

Training to  

BECOME A NURTURING PROGRAM FACILITATOR!

OCTOBER 7, 8, 9th
 9:00 am-4:00 pm
 at the Family Partnership Center

$350.00 fee includes Lunch  

Payment is Due by October 1, 2014

Make Checks payable to Family Services and write Nurturing Workshop in the Memo line.  

Please mail payment to

Family Services

29 North Hamilton Street

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

 

For questions, please call Amy Cole 845-331-5641 x 223  

 

The Family Services 4th Walk a Mile in Her Shoes�
Saturday, October 18, 2014  
All Sport Health and Fitness Club 17 Old Main Street Fishkill
For more information, please contact Pam Tarquinio at [email protected] or 845-452-1110 ext 3116
To Register Click here

Our Leadership Team
Brian Doyle 
Chief Executive Officer 
[email protected]

Joan Crawford
Deputy Executive Director 
[email protected]

Natalie Borquist
Chief Financial Officer 
[email protected]

Sharon Doane
Director of Forensic Services and Crime Victims Assistance Program 
[email protected]
 
Leah Feldman
Director of Domestic Violence Services of Dutchess County 
[email protected]

Christopher Pels
Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
[email protected]
 
   
Our Partners
Born Again Disciples 
  
Community Voices Heard

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Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

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Dutchess County Department of Health  

www.dutchess.gov 

 
Dutchess County Healthy Families

www.healthyfamiliesnewyork.org 

 

Dutchess Outreach 

 

Hudson River Community Health Care

 

Hudson River Housing -    
   

John Flowers Community Events

 

Marist Liberty Partnership Program

www.marist.edu\campuslife\libertypartnership

 

Mental Health America - Mel's Place


New Day Repertory Company, Inc.

 

Planned Parenthood


R.E.A.L.Skills Network, Inc.

www.realskillsnetwork.org

 

Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library

 Mid Hudson Regional Turning Point

  

Youth Mission Outreach

 
Family Services |  http://www.familyservicesny.org
Family Partnership Center
29 N. Hamilton St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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