Report says youth programs aren't meeting all needs

[fgoodwin]

Report says youth programs aren't meeting all needs

Five elements called crucial for success

 

Thursday, July 14, 2005

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050714/NEWS01/507140478/

http://tinyurl.com/bdpdu

 

By Chris Kenning

ckenning@courier-journal.com

The Courier-Journal

 

It takes five things to keep young people out of trouble, experts say: friendships with caring adults, safe activities, attention to a child's health, work skills and a chance to help others.

 

But a study of 101 youth services in Kentucky -- from after-school programs to counseling -- found that less than one-quarter addressed more than one or two of those needs.

 

That's a problem because coordination among such programs is generally poor, leaving too many people ages 8 to 24 without the full range of help they need, according to the author of the report by Kentucky Child Now, a youth advocacy group.

 

"To prevent young people from taking drugs or dropping out, you need to address all those areas," said T.J. Delahanty, who presented the report yesterday at a forum in Louisville attended by about 100 youth advocates and officials.

 

Organizers plan to press state officials and advocates to improve services in part by having their programs work more closely to provide each young person with the services he or she needs. They will present ideas to General Assembly leaders later this year.

 

Gene Foster, state Child and Family Services undersecretary, agreed that improvements could be made.

 

"We need to do a better job of aligning the resources," he said.

 

The 101 programs studied included state services such as child support, substance abuse, child health insurance, mental health and school-to-work programs.

 

Also included were organizations like Boy Scouts and the YMCA's Safe Place.

 

Together, the programs had a combined budget of more than $1.4 billion in 2004.

 

Some, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, do address the five key elements by focusing on such things as adult mentoring, structured activities and community service projects, according to the study.

 

Those that do not are not necessarily ineffective, the study found. But those programs could be far more effective if they broadened services or could refer children to complementary programs, advocates said. Often that doesn't happen because programs lack a system to ensure that youths are getting comprehensive services, advocates said.

 

"We have many different agencies doing wonderful things for youth, but a lot of them don't talk to one another," said Rebecca DeJarnatt, a coordinator for Louisville's Youth Enhancement Services, which distributes state money to nonprofit groups serving at-risk children and others.

 

DeJarnatt said her office has tried to increase coordination among youth programs by organizing regular meetings.

 

The issue is becoming increasingly important because funding for youth services or programs is declining nationwide, DeJarnatt said.

 

"There's less to go around and more need," she said.

[Lynda J]

My dad always said "the best way to keep a kid out of trouble is keep them busy enough with positive activities they don't have time." He was right in the 50's and 60's and he is still right.

Give kids positive productive things to do and be involved with and they don't have time for much else.

 

Dad was a volunteer juvenile probation officer for close to 30 years. He would get these kids and get them involved in so many good things. He would get them in scouts, have then help work the horses at the farm, bale hay, work in the garden. Guess what, none of his kids were ever repeat offenders. And they adored him. When my dad passed away one of these boys ask to speak at the funeral. He said my dad was the only adult in his life that ever had the guts to take a belt and bust his butt when he was messing up. And he was the only adult that really cared what he did.

He also said that my dad was the reason he became an attorney so he could help kids in trouble.

He was the DA in my home town.

Kids need love but they also need structure and rules. They also need adults that act like adults and don't try to act like their "best friend". Best friends tell you what you want to hear. Responsible adults tell you what you need to know and try to teach you what you need to learn.

[stlscouter]

My question would be to the authors of the study

1. Which youth group are you personnally involved with and what postion do you hold?

2. What positive contribution are you making to correct the shortcomings identified in your organization?

 

It's always easier to stand on top of the hill and criticize than to lead the climbers from the bottom of the hill.