2010 Learning Network Preview

MCCOY’s Learning Network provides professional development opportunities to enhance the knowledge and abilities of the local youth services community. Workshops and trainings provide participants with new insights as well as opportunities to share their own knowledge and experiences.

See what' learning and networking opportunities will be available in 2010 through MCCOY's Learning Network. Download 2010 Preview.

Learn more about MCCOY's Learning Network.

How Do We Engage Young People?

Engaging young people in the programs youth organizations offer is easier said than done. And the reality is, the fact that youth simply “show up” doesn’t mean they’re invested or engaged in the activities. So how do we create better opportunities for young people to really get engaged in? Better engagement ultimately leads to better results. Here are some ideas to jump start your youth engagement approach:

• Be youth-centered, not just outcomes-centered. Build relationships, and respect young people’s relationships with their peers and families. While building relationships, help build futures by planning for what happens when they’re not at your center or program.
• Pay special attention to how your center’s programs coordinate with each other. Tailor your services so they’re accessible and allow young people to pursue their goals across interests.
• Encourage personal choice and social responsibility in the young people you work with.
• Get to know what the young person’s support safety-net looks like; who are the key people who make a difference in his or her life?
• No matter what the program, focus on assisting young people achieve greater self-sufficiency and confidence.

Some of the tips above are adapted from the Transition to Independence Process (TIP), developed in a partnership with the University of South Florida and the Department of Child & Family Studies. Click here for many more resources about the findings.

MCCOY Hires Staff to Focus on Supporting Youth Workers & Youth-Serving Organizations

Working with youth is one of the most important jobs there is. Professional youth workers help young people become healthy and productive adolescents and grow into adulthood by focusing on assets and building caring relationships. For over fifteen years, Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) has provided a wide range of learning and networking opportunities for youth development professionals and youth-serving organizations. To continue drive this effort MCCOY has hired Shaunette Byers, Community Initiatives Coordinator, to lead both the Learning Network and Youth Program Quality Improvement/Assessment (YPQA/I) initiatives.

Read full article.

Everyday Champion: Wanda Spann Roddy

This story is a part of our Everyday Champions series. Helping youth succeed takes commitment and action from our whole community. Everyday Champions are people who are committed and who act in small and big ways to support youth in central Indiana. Do you know someone who you think would make a great Champion for Youth? Click here to get started.

While the community has focused on reducing teen pregnancy, the fact remains that many teens in our community do get pregnant. Future Promises educates and advocates for pregnant and parenting teens, improving their health and life outcomes.

What is your profession or vocation? By education, I am a pediatric/adolescent nurse practitioner. After many years being a nurse, then becoming a nurse practitioner, I have had the great opportunity to take the knowledge and experience and my love for adolescent reproductive health to develop a comprehensive program for pregnant and parenting teens called “Future Promises – A Program for pregnant and parenting teens”.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?
While teen pregnancy prevention advocates continue to place much needed attention on reducing teen pregnancy and teen birth rates, little emphasis has been placed on providing services for teens that are already pregnant and/or who have become parents. In an effort to address this gap, everyday I work hard at improving services, educating and advocating for the special needs of pregnant and parenting teens in order to improve their health and life outcomes and those of their children.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?
I hope that the work that I do, the young lives that I touch – even just everyday – demonstrates to youth that there are adults in this world that sees a promising future for them and will advocate and support them, either directly or indirectly, as they work to reach their dreams and their goals.

What’s the one thing that you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person? As I recall, when I was younger, I surrounded myself with positive people that gave me a lot of good advise and support. So I don’t know of any one thing that I wished an adult had told me. However, the two things that was said to me that I have never forgotten and continues to nudge me are

An 8th grade English teacher said – “You will never be good in English – not like your sister”

The Nursing School Dean told me that “… maybe you should change your major because you aren’t going to make it through nursing school or be a good nurse”.

It’s a good thing that I didn’t take to heart either of those negative comments –thanks to the supportive people around me and my courage and determination to prove them wrong. I frequently write long papers – mostly grants and make many public presentations with excellent feedback. I successfully graduated from nursing school, became a great nurse, received a graduate nursing degree with honors and have won awards for the work that I do. But yet those comments still haunt me 30 to 35 years later. Adults never know the impact of what they say to young people – so it should always be positive and show support.

What do you want to do next to support youth?
As I prepare for my next phase of life – retirement – I hope to spend these next few years preparing myself to be able to train others on developing youth programs that work. I have learned a lot over the past 30 years on youth development and program development. I have had lots of success developing a wide range of youth programs, particularly the “Future Promises Program” and I want to give young professionals who desire to work with youth, the skills and training that I have acquired that has made a difference in the lives of youth.

Closing of Youth Emergency Services (YES) Leaves a Gaping Hole in Central Indiana’s Early Intervention & Prevention Efforts

By Shanna Malott

On December 31, 2009 a valuable service in Marion County will be closing its doors; what will happen to the children, youth and families who will no longer be able to walk through those doors?

Youth Emergency Services (YES) provides what YES Program Director John Kennedy calls, "pre-system, in person, crisis care, twenty-four/seven, without an appointment, adjudication or diagnosis!" These services are available to provide comfort and safety to children and families during crisis or to intervene before the situation becomes a crisis. Now who will provide these services? Department of Child Services (DCS) Director James Payne is adamant that DCS will pick up the ball and step in to provide the services that have been provided by YES for the past 11 years. What Director Payne fails to recognize is that YES equals Early Intervention and Prevention while DCS equals Treatment. YES is there to prevent children and families from entering the child welfare system or to minimize their involvement with the system as much as possible. DCS IS the system and is meant to provide treatment after the crisis. Children and families historically do not trust the system... but they trust YES! Read full article.

Video a video about how Youth Emergency Services works in the lives of children in our community.

If you would like to contact DCS about these changes, you can write to: Indiana Department of Child Services, Attn, James Payne, Director,402 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Go to the DCS website for addition contact info.

Everyday Champion: Rebekah Mazanowski

This story is a part of our Everyday Champions series. Helping youth succeed takes commitment and action from our whole community. Everyday Champions are people who are committed and who act in small and big ways to support youth in central Indiana. Do you know someone who you think would make a great Champion for Youth? Click here to get started.

We're excited to feature Rebekah Mazanowski in this edition of Everyday Champions. Rebekah, a Parent Liaison at Howe Community High School, is also the sister of Natalie Mazanowski, MCCOY's Communications Director. Rebekah appreciates the role that her parents and the community have had in helping her develop into the person she is today. Growing up in a large family, she understands that parents and families need the support of a strong and healthy community.

What is your profession or vocation?
I am a 2007 graduate of IUPUI with a degree in Sociology. I am currently the Parent Liaison for IPS school 420; Thomas Carr Howe Community High School. My job is to communicate with parents at home and within the school. I focus on increasing parent involvement in order to improve the chance of student success.

How are you an everyday Champion for Youth?
Working in a school and interacting on a daily basis with kids and teens enables me to visualize the things that are most beneficial to high school students today. Participation in sports and school activities inevitably gives kids a sense of purpose and accomplishment. I organize activities and club opportunities for the students. Additionally, parent involvement is essential to a child’s success. I facilitate workshops within the school strictly for parents. The workshops address ways for parents to help their child or they provide information and resources for parents to incorporate into their parenting role.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?
I hope to impact the students through parent involvement and/or parent interest in the child. Educating parents will directly effect youth. The more I can help a parent by providing knowledge and resources, the better off a child will be.

What is one thing you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person?
I think so much about life is figuring it out on your own, but I think it is good to tell young people to be explorative, try new things and venture out of comfort zones when thinking about future goals and educational plans. Think big and plan accordingly.

What do you want to do next to support youth?
I will continue my work with the Indianapolis Public School system. I host family reading nights every month at the school. I have noticed in the past that kids really enjoy discussing their most current read, whether it is for school or for pleasure. I would like to get some type of book club going where kids are free to read and discuss the books that they enjoy.

MCCOY Hires Staff to Focus on Early Intervention & Prevention Initiative

Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) has hired three new staff to focus on their Early Intervention and Prevention initiative: Shanna Malott, Early Intervention Community Coordinator, Connie Berg, Early Intervention Resource Development Officer, and Emily Chew, Early Intervention Assistant.

Read the full press release

Young People Honored for Their Dedication to Summer Learning

MCCOY and the partners of the Summer Youth Program Fund award 22 local young people with the Excellence in Summer Service Education Award.
Read full press release and each winner's story.

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EASY (Essential Aid & Services for Youth) Book Now Available

The EASY Book is Back!
We've heard that the recession may be coming to an end. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean an end to the struggles faced by families in central Indiana. Fortunately, the EASY Book provides a directory to local organizations that can help. It includes tips, hotline numbers and contact information for central Indiana organizations that provide a wide range of family and support services – from help with basic needs to parenting-skills development to assistance with home ownership.

Reserve Your EASY Books Now:
Complete the reservation form online or download the form.

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Quick & Easy EASY Book Pick-Up
United Way Garage, August 26th: 8a - 4p
Just pull up and will load your EASY Books into your car. Our Youth Activity Directory will also be available. Just submit your reservation form (see link above) so that we have your order ready. Get map/directions.

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Help Us Get The EASY to the People Who Need it Most
Is your organization open & accessible to the general public?
If you answered yes, consider joining our distribution network. As an EASY Book/YAD distributor, you simply agree to stock the EASY Book and/or YAD so they are readily available to the families you serve and provide basic tracking & evaluation so that we can continue to improve EASY and YAD!

MCCOY provides everything you need: the books, promotional materials and tracking sheets. In addition, we'll include links to your website & location on our website and as part of our marketing efforts for the YAD/EASY Book.

If you're interested in offering the people you work with a valuable tool for accessing the resources they need to build stronger families, just email Chris or call 317-921-1286.

Everyday Champion: Trevor Holloway

This story is a part of our Everyday Champions series. Helping youth succeed takes commitment and action from our whole community. Everyday Champions are people who are committed and who act in small and big ways to support youth in central Indiana. Do you know someone who you think would make a great Champion for Youth? Click here to get started.

We're thrilled to feature Trevor Holloway in this edition of Everyday Champions. Trevor, a recent graduate of North Central High School, is also a MCCOY Board Member. This summer, in addition to getting ready to head off to college in Bloomington, Trevor has been assisting MCCOY staff with the upcoming Summit for Student Success. He's been a joy to have in the office, not only for his remarkable skills and fun personality, but also for his engagement and excitement for youth development.

What is your profession or vocation?
I’m a recent graduate of North Central High School and about to start my first year at the Kelley School of Business of Indiana University Bloomington. As a direct admit, I plan to study Public Policy Analysis and International Business. I plan to be a millionaire by age 27.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?
I have been involved with MCCOY since my sophomore year of high school. I am a board member and serve on various committees. This summer I am volunteering at MCCOY helping out with various tasks. I also do some work with the JCC Teen House and David Waldman. It’s a good gig. Last summer I traveled between community centers and spoke to at-risk youth about life skills and values.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?
I don’t know if I’m really focused on one specific endeavor. I just understand the struggle that youth go through. No matter what background, being a youth is challenging and when I help by providing resources to make life easier for youth and their families, it is one of the most fulfilling things.

What’s one thing that you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person?
Hah. I am still young. I think I have had adults tell me plenty of good things but it was usually more of a challenge to get me to listen to what they were saying. Something that I wish an adult had told me and that I had listened to would be to think long-term.

What do you want to do next to support youth?
Well I plan to continue to work with MCCOY in some capacity even when I’m away at IU. But short-term I will continue to help out MCCOY staff members around the office, and long-term I will be the biggest philanthropist in the USA.

Business and Community Leaders to Share Insight on How Community Can Champion Youth

MCCOY announced its line-up of breakout presenters for Central Indiana’s Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009. Presenters include Nick Weber, Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, Rick Fuson, Executive Senior VP for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Dr. Jackie Greenwood, Director of Secondary Schools for IPS, Bill Corley, President & CEO of Community Health Network and David Harris, President & CEO of the Mind Trust.
Read full article.

Indianapolis Celebrates National Summer Learning Day: Photos

Children filed into the gymnasium at St. Richard School on Thursday, July 9th, joining community leaders, youth workers and other caring adults to celebrate National Summer Learning Day. Filling the bleachers, they cheered as Willis Bright, Director of Youth Programs at Lilly Endowment, asked them if they were learning new skills and having fun in programs this summer. Through performances and discussion, these youth shared the great experiences they are having while participating in programs that provide safe places, opportunities for learning, and fun activities throughout the summer.

Read more & see photos from the event.

Registration Now Open for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success

Keynote Speakers to Include Tarik Glenn, Tony Bennett and Karen Pittman
MCCOY announced that registration opened this week for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009. Keynote speakers include Tarik Glenn, former Colts offensive tackle and Founder of D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Dr. Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, and Karen Pittman, Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment in Washington, DC.
Read full article.

Everyone has A Stake in the Positive Development of Youth

The Case for a Community Compact for Youth
By Christopher Collins

As a city and as a community, we like to say that we make young people a priority, particularly when we talk about education. Words, however, are easy. Putting young people at the center of the discussion and making their success a true priority takes innovation and a willingness to re-think our assumptions.

Making sure kids have better opportunities and healthier futures isn’t only the job of teachers, or youth workers, or parents. It is everyone’s responsibility, and no matter what you do for a living, whether you have kids in your life or not, you play an important role. Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) has created a series of Community Compacts for Youth – informal agreements that let you demonstrate ways you support the young people in your life and in our community. Now, beyond simply saying young people’s healthy development is important, you can show it.

Read complete article.

Summer and Learning Make a Great Team

Thursday, July 9th is National Summer Learning Day. That's right-contrary to popular belief, summer and learning DO go together and young people across our community are the direct beneficiaries of this new way of thinking. If young people are going to do well in school and be fully prepared for the world of work, they need year-round opportunities to learn more and build essential skills. It is past time that we revise our notion that summertime is when learning takes a vacation.
Read full article.

Assessing Quality in Youth Programs

Around 40 youth development professionals and community leaders gathered recently to learn about the Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA). This is the strategy we're employing within the Ready by 21 Quality Counts initiative to improve the quality and reach of youth programs in Central Indiana. Erica Curry, from the Forum for Youth Investment, presented a dynamic workshop designed to get on board early those organizations who want to pilot the project with MCCOY and build overall quality improvement. YPQA sites will be eligible for comprehensive training and custom technical assistance – all completely free.

If you’re interested in learning more about YPQA or becoming a pilot site, please e-mail Kirsten Eamon-Shine.

Indianapolis Celebrates Summer Learning

Local Celebration Shines Spotlight on Programs that Combat Summer Daze
National Summer Learning Day Provides Opportunity to Honor and Raise Awareness about the Benefits of Summer Youth Programs

“There are literally hundreds of quality summer programs and learning experiences in central Indiana that offer a safe place, caring adults, and countless occasions for children and youth to expand their horizons, develop their talents, and build their skills,” says John Brandon, MCCOY President. “Our Summer Learning Day Celebration will honor these programs that combat summer learning loss and help kids in Indiana get ahead.”

Summer Learning Day Agenda

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Everyday Champion: Chad Richards

This is the first in our new series, Everyday Champions. Helping youth succeed takes commitment and action from our whole community. Everyday Champions are people who are committed and who act in small and big ways to support youth in central Indiana. Find out more ways you can be a champion through our Community Compact for Youth.

Our first Everyday Champion is Chad Richards, an Account Manager at Firebelly Marketing. Leveraging his expertise as a marketing professional, Chad volunteers with youth and with organizations that support youth. In addition to his classroom volunteerism described below, Chad also contributed his internet marketing expertise at MCCOY's Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits training. He was also recently asked to join the Board of Directors of IndyDads.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?
I originally went in to Mrs. Russo's business class at Westfield High School to talk to them about what I do, how I got here, Internet/social media marketing strategy, and to answer their questions. I was then invited back to help the students develop marketing campaigns for an end of the year project in which they each had to create a "healthy burger" and the marketing materials that would be used to promote said burger in restaurants.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?
Ha-ha. I don't know how much of an impact I've made... or will make. I enjoying working with young people. Their optimism is inspiring. I just want to encourage them and help them understand how to make themselves and their dreams more "marketable" if you will.

What’s one thing that you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person?
I was lucky. My parents were always incredibly supportive of me. They knew "not all who wander are lost." I was a late bloomer and needed time to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with myself. I tried a lot of different things and finally found my place at 28. I wish more adults would tell young people "You don't have to have it all figured out by 18. Everyone's timeline is different. A destination can be reached from many different paths."

What do you want to do next to support youth?
Well I hope to return to Mrs. Russo's class in the Fall. She's doing amazing things with her students. I was also recently invited to join the Dads Inc. Board of Directors. The mission of Dads Inc. is to provide support and education for fathers in order for them to develop healthy relationships and involvement with their children.

Want to be a Champion for youth? Here's how.

It’s easy for us to say we value young people and the programs that provide them opportunities to grow, learn, and connect with the community. But sometimes it’s hard to put good intentions into action. That’s where MCCOY’s Community Compacts for Youth come in. They’re designed to help you discover concrete ways to improve how you or your organization supports youth development in central Indiana.

Maybe you’re in healthcare and want to improve the ways your staff interacts with youth? Check out your Compact here. Or maybe you work in a faith-based community and want to ensure the people in your organization know about high-quality youth programs. Click here for your Compact.

After you sign yours and send it in, MCCOY will soon offer you the tools you need to make your commitments realities. If you already serve youth, add a comment below and link others to your programs and projects – the ways that others can fulfill their commitments and support your work.

It's not just teachers and youth workers who improve opportunities for young people -- everyone plays a role. Check out our Compact page today.

2009 Youth Activity Directory Now Available

Just in Time for Summer...
This year's Youth Activity Directory (YAD) contains over 20 pages of summer camps and programs that offer a wide variety of fun and enriching activities. Plus, you'll find a full year's worth of activities that support academic achievement, healthy development and positive outcomes for youth, including:

• Programs that engage and empower youth
• Educational enrichment programs
• Career exploration and work readiness programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Fun family activities
• And much more

The YAD will be available at several community events and for pick-up at MCCOY office. Email Juli or call: 921-1266. Please complete and submit a YAD request form: Complete form online. Download the form.

MCCOY Seeks Proposals from Organizations Supporting Positive Outcomes for Youth

Does your agency offer opportunities for young people to develop the skills necessary for learning, leading, thriving, connecting or working? Are you involved in a successful partnership or initiative achieving positive outcomes for youth? Do you utilize an approach you believe to be cutting-edge or "best practice"? If so, consider sharing your experience and insight with community and business leaders at Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009.
Read complete article.

MCCOY - Employment Opportunities

We're looking for a staff member to support upcoming Early Intervention and Prevention efforts in central Indiana.

Early Intervention Resource Development Officer

This new position will generate resources for a new Marion County effort for coordination of Early Intervention and Prevention services geared toward helping young people avoid continued involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Bachelor degree required and additional education in a related field very favorable.

Additional information about the position, as well as complete position description, can be found at the MCCOY website. To apply, respond with resume, cover letter, and salary history to jim.wark@mccoyouth.org.

Children Needn’t Go from School Days to Summer Daze

Take Advantage of the Many Summer Learning Opportunities Available in Central Indiana
By John Brandon

This is the time of the year when lots of folk’s minds turn to planning how they and their children will spend their summer vacation. To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. This is especially true during the summer months. Many of us have an image of summer as a carefree, happy time when “kids can be kids,” and take for granted the prospect of enriching experiences such as summer camps and family trips to museums, parks and libraries. When you are making your summer plans with the children you care about, be sure to take advantage of the many learning opportunities available in central Indiana.

Read complete article.

Don't Let Rainy Weather Stop You from Turning Off the TV

It's international Turnoff Week. So turn off your TV, iPhone and Xbox, and say goodbye to Twitter and Facebook. Are you up for the challenge?

I don't even have cable, so TV definitely doesn't rule my life. I should be able to turn it off for a week no problem, but a rainy start to the week makes me think that it may not happen. If I can't work in the yard or go for a bike ride, why shouldn't I just watch a few programs or spend a few hours on Facebook? I do have a few pounds to lose, some spring cleaning to do, and a few books that have been sitting on the nightstand unopened. Come to think of it, I have more than a week's worth of non-TV and non-computer things I've been wanting to do for ages. I guess I'm willing to give a try...are you?

There are tons of stats out there about how TV is bad for you (and for kids). Parents miss out on meaningful conversations with kids. People who watch alot of TV are more likely to get fat. Computer, TVs and video systems waste energy and $$$. Children who watch TV may be more likely to have ADHD symptoms. If you need more reasons or stats to get you moving, here are a few sites that might persuade you: Ten Financial Reasons To Turn Off Your Television - And Ten Things To Replace It With. Trash Your TV contains tons of stats - some seem plausible, others are questionable, but they might just get you moving. Some recent articles question Is google making us stupid, or is it the computer screen that's doing us in?

For me, all the statistics in the world don't make a difference. What is most important to me is that watching TV (with the exception of a few really good, thought-provoking shows) makes me feel like I am wasting my life. I live in a great neighborhood and city. I have an awesome (and awesomely large) family. I can make a difference in the lives of the people around me, but not if I'm watching TV or sitting in front of a screen. At the end of my life, I definitely will not be saying, "I wish I had seen more episodes of Family Guy" or, "If only I'd spent a few more hours searching the web, who knows what I could have done with my life." Seriously, I know that there are better things to do with my time.

Getting Started. Take baby steps...cut out 1 program a day (or a week). Then go from there. If you need something a little more concrete, here are 7 Ways to Cut TV Time. And here are some ways to help your kids reduce their TV time.

You've turned off the TV, now what? Get outside, read a book, play a game with the family, create a scrapbook from all those digital pictures that are just sitting on the computer...the possibilities are endless. Here are some sites that the whole family can use to fill those 4.5 hours a day that are now available: Check out the library. Here's what's going on at the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library this week. Get healthy. Take advantage of the We Can online resources or the Subway Kids Healthy at Home tools. Get creative inside and outside. Make a difference. Check out how to volunteer as a family and go to Volunteer Match to find volunteer opportunities in your area -- just key in your ZIP code and click on “advanced search.” You can specify the kind of opportunities you want to pursue and find organizations that are kid-friendly.

Lastly, be committed to living the best life possible - with or without TV.

Souder Reconsidering Sponsorship of the Federal Youth Coordination Act

Community Support Was Key - And Still Is Key

On March 18, MCCOY sent a sign-on letter in support of the Federal Youth Coordination Act (H.R. 7004) to Representative Mark Souder of Indiana's 3rd Congressional District. The letter was signed by 38 organizations and 109 individuals from across Indiana and urged Souder, Indiana's only representation on the Education and Labor Committee, to support the creation of a White House Office on Children and Youth by signing on as an original co-sponsor of the bill.

Souder originally declined co-sponsorship, but after receiving the sign-on letter a week after the Indy Star Online published an article on March 11, he is now reconsidering. "You are indeed having a great effect," said Thaddeus Ferber of the Forum for Youth Investment, who has been working intimately with the Souder and his staff in Washington D.C. on this initiative. Ferber reported that because of MCCOY's great advocacy, "Souder's office changed their tune from a 'no' to a 'maybe."

Read complete article.

Childhood Stress and Poverty Reduce Working Memory

A study led by Gary W. Evans, a professor of human ecology at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., recently linked childhood stress and poverty to reduced working memory function in late adolescence. Reading about it in the Washington Post (you may need to register to access the article), I started thinking about the impact that our current economic situation may have on young people, as well as how caring adults and family members can limit the negative aspects of that impact.

The study concluded that (1) when poverty conditions were present in a 9- to 13-year old's life and (2) when that young person had high levels of stress-related hormones, they demonstrated reductions in working memory (basically short-term memory). As poverty or stress levels increased in study participants, working memory function decreased in later adolescence.

As our community faces higher unemployment rates and Indianapolis consistently ranks in the top three metropolitan area for foreclosure rates, youth are surely being impacted. After a quick internet search for research-based practices to support youth during difficult economic times, I found a great overview and list of related articles from the American Phychological Association. One article is all about talking to children about the economy and inviting them into a discussion. It's amazing how small discussions can go so far in mitigating negative results in youth!

Of course, this article also provokes some thought about how our community as a whole needs to address underlying social and economic issues if we truly want equal opportunities for all our youth. Discussions are important, but quick-fixes might not go far enough to fight the long-term impact on memory among these youth.

A related quote from the study's author:

"It's not just 'Read to our kids and take them to the library,' " he said. "We need to take into account that chronic stress takes a toll not only on their health, but it may take a toll on their cognitive functioning."

Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels today announced the state will hire 2,000 young adults to spend this summer and next improving Indiana’s parks, trails and natural habitats. The program, called the Young Hoosiers Conservation Corps, will use federal stimulus funds designated for employment and training of people 16 to 24 years old.

The jobs will pay $8.50 per hour. According to federal requirements, the jobs will be for Hoosiers who are 24 years old or younger and whose family incomes are at or below the poverty level (approximately $23,000 for a family of four).

Micro-Grants Available for Organizations Working to Strengthen Families

Good Works Indiana: Good Works Indiana Announcement: Strengthening Families Grants Now Available!

The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) through its Good Works Indiana (GWIN) initiative has launched the 2009 Strengthening Families micro-grant program.

Teen birth rates again rise

Last year was the second year in a row that teen birth rates rose. Since 2005, the teen birth rate increased by 2% after 14 years of consistent decline. When it was reported that the teen pregnancy had risen across ethnic groups, popular responses ranged from, “see what happens when abstinence-only is taught in classrooms?” to “see what happens when there’s not enough abstinence-only taught in classrooms?” Of course, youth development professionals know that the issue is far more complex than that. While national and state education policies play an important role in determining what gets taught in the classroom, often the reality is that young people get a steady stream of mixed messages about health and sexuality.

Some adolescent health professionals suggest several reasons for the increases: a possible decrease in the use of contraceptives, socioeconomic changes, and differences in relationships and attitudes are some of the theories. The Obama administration’s intentional shift towards embracing science and evidence-based programming is a welcome development. We know what works: giving young people medically accurate information and supporting them with comprehensive sexuality education, including ways to strengthen relationships with both family and partners.

Want to get involved? Click here to learn more about The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Click here for more information from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, and here for research briefs from Child Trends.

Hoosiers Support Legislation to Coordinate Youth Services and Programs

MCCOY Urges Community to Support the Federal Youth Coordination Act by Joining the 36 Organizations and 100 Individuals Who Have Signed a Letter of Support

MCCOY is asking the community to sign a letter of support for the Federal Youth Coordination Act (H.R. 7004). This bill seeks to create a White House Office on Children and Youth, which would strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of youth programs and services. The letter is directed to Representative Mark Souder of Indiana's 3rd Congressional District, who is a member of the Education & Labor Committee. As of Tuesday, 100 individuals and 36 organizations have signed the letter of support.
Read full article.

Meet ROY: Resources Online for Youth!

It's finally here - central Indiana's new, searchable database of youth activities and opportunities! ROY is now gathering information from youth-serving organizations about their programs and activities. Creating a profile is FAST, EASY and absolutely FREE (music to a non-profit's ears).

Just visit www.roymccoy.org, scroll down to the bottom right and click on "Create a new account". If you can't finish filling out your profile in one setting, it's not a problem. Just log out, then log back in later to fill in the blanks

Need some help getting to know ROY? We have dedicated a page on our website to this very purpose. Click here to learn more about the project and its purposes or download cheat sheets of required information.

How Children Learn

The classic, How Children Learn, is making a resurgence among parents and educators alike lately. In John Holt's book, his thesis is that children want to learn, are natural learners, and will learn more if adults recognize that and let them explore their worlds. Many times, parents and others act like bosses instead of co-learners. That means letting them play and playing with them, but resisting the urge to quiz them on their knowledge or to patronize them.

Most of How Children Learn is culled from his diaries, his successes and failures, and later notes from parents and other educators: "She is not afraid of making mistakes. And she is patient. She can tolerate an extraordinary amount of uncertainty, confusion, ignorance, and suspense. She does not have to have instant meaning in any new situation. She is willing and able for meaning to come to her - even if it comes very slowly, which it usually does..."

Click here to read more about the book on Amazon.

Recess Matters, Too!

According to a recent study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, taking recess out of the school day can have serious consequences in child behavior. (Read the full article at Pediatrics or a shorter overview at Science Daily.) The study of more than 10,000 eight- and nine-year-old students indicated that having just a 15 minutes break from the classroom resulted in better behavior.

The study asserts that, as school districts face additional pressure from No Child Left Behind to add more and more time for reading and math, they may be removing an important tool for helping kids stay focused and on task. Removing recess, a great time to release energy, socialize with peers and generally explore the world is correlated with increased negative behaviors during instructional time. The researchers also found that eliminating recess was a more common practice in schools that serve children who are black, come from lower-income homes and live in urban areas.

Of course, several other issues can be related to a lack of recess: obesity, social skill development, perceived safety in school environments... Whatever your perspective on those issues, with our newest State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett, talking a great deal about student behavior, this may be an important factor to consider.

Support the Federal Youth Coordination Act

The Federal Youth Coordination Act (FYCA) of 2008 (H.R. 7004) seeks to create a White House Office on Children and Youth, which would strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of youth programs.Learn More.

Sign on now! Join us in championing the positive development of youth in Indiana and across the nation. It’s as easy as signing our letter of support.

Sign the letter now.

Youth media brings subjects to life

Youth Radio is an organization in Oakland with the deeply held belief that underserved youth have the creativity, skills, and entrepreneurial spirit to become multimedia industry leaders.

They recently started a Brains & Beakers program, where an engineer or scientist brings in a hands-on, minds-on experiment and hangs out to answer questions about it. The young people in Youth Radio then edit and produce the program online.

Here's a link to the media section of our own community's awesome Y-Press. These two organizations are clear evidence that young people are more than ready to take the initiative, sometimes they simply need the tools to do so.