I Have a Dream...

...that one day I will be a senator or representative deftly writing policy, thoughtfully listening to my constituents, and boldly crossing party lines to do what is best for the state of Indiana or even the United States.  But right now, I am a nervous intern whose legs shake and palms sweat as I stand in front of committee members giving testimony on a bill. Obviously, I have a ways to go.
   
Just two short weeks into my time here at MCCOY, I was given the opportunity to take the lead on presenting testimony on behalf of MCCOY. While I was excited and prepared--I had typed out my talking points--I was also intimidated by the company I was in. Seasoned lobbyists and veteran senators surrounded me as I stood and began, "Good evening Chairman Kruse and committee members" (I don't think it hurt that I mentioned that I was a student. Perhaps that explained the quiver in my voice.)

However, as I began to speak, I gained my confidence. I looked up from my paper and I met the eyes of Senators Kruse and Schneider, who may or may not have been listening, but who were watching me attentively. I made my points, I thanked them, and I walked to my seat, confident that I had done my best to participate in the legislative process.

I know the camera on my phone is blurry—it’s not a smart phone—but this is what it looks like waiting to give testimony.

February is Youth Leadership Month, so as January comes to a close, start thinking of ways to encourage the young people you work with to get involved in the legislative process. Or if you are a young person reading this, go let your voice be heard! YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Own your power. There is still much to be done in the 2012 Legislative Session.

Interested in being kept up to date on bills that affect youth? Follow MCCOY_Advocacy on Twitter.
Want to own your power? Join the Youth Advocacy Council.

Attend To Your Future Event on January 31st

This coming Tuesday (1/31/12), MCCOY is hosting an event that honors the kids in the Attend To Your Future program.  Samaritans Feet is also partnering at this event.  Samaritan's Feet is a organization that provides shoes to children.  We had an event on 1/24/12, where we honored and gave shoes to over 15 kids.  This next event, we expect to have over 50 kids!  The smiles and gratitude that these kids show is payment enough for all of the hard work that was put into hosting this wonderful event!

January 20, 2012 Legislative Update

The 2012 legislative session is off and running. Below is a list of bills that MCCOY is following and that have either been heard in committee or are scheduled to be heard. Given the controversy surrounding the Right to Work bill, many bills are still on hold because the House cannot convene and many committee meetings have been rescheduled. To read the bill digests or the bills themselves, please visit http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=all and enter the bill number.

HB1019 Adoption history information. This bill has moved on to the Senate. It passed the third reading 94 Yes 0 No. The Senate sponsor is Senator Broden.

HB1150 Family friendly school designation. This was amended and passed in committee 11 Yes 0 No on 1/17/12

HB1189 Multiple ADM counts. This was amended and passed in committee 12 Yes 0 No on 1/17/12

HB1326 Various education matters. Committee hearing Friday January 20, 2012 8:30am COMPLETE TESTIMONY AND VOTE

HB1324 School accountability and turnaround academies. Committee hearing Friday January 20, 2012 8:30am

SB4 human trafficking. This bill has had a lot of process and support from both sides. This bill went quickly through the senate and passed 48 to 0. Rep. Steuerwald is the House sponsor, with Reps. Foley, L. Lawson, and Welch as the Cosponsors. Several Representatives from both parties were added as coauthors. It was referred to the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code and has aHouse Committee hearing Friday January 20, 2012 at 10:30am. It is moving so quickly, presumably, so it will be passed before the Superbowl. It is effective upon passage.

SB179 Virtual instruction course requirement. Senator Schneider added as coauthor on 1/19/12Heard in committee on 1/18/12

SB236 Various education matters. Heard in committee on 1/18/12

SB248 Referendum on use of balanced school calendar. Committee hearing Monday January 23, 2012 10am

SB265 School report card. Senator Yoder added as coauthor on 1/17/12Heard in committee on 1/18/12

SB267 Education concerning child abuse. Senator Kruse added as second author 1/17/12Heard in committee on 1/18/12

SB268 Advisory committee on early education. Senator Kruse added as second author 1/17/12Heard in committee on 1/18/12

Please stay tuned for more weekly updates as the session continues. If you have any questions, please e-mail Mindi Goodpaster.

Make MLK Day a day ON, not a day off

MLK Day is next Monday the 16th! Instead of sleeping in and doing laundry all day, join your neighbors in celebration.

Here are some fantastic events in our community that honor Dr. King. Get out and enjoy them:




Community wide listing from Indianapolis Downtown Inc

Peace Learning Center event on Saturday: http://www.peacelearningcenter.org/mlk_community_festival

Film showing at INRC on Monday: http://www.inrc.org/about-inrc/calendar/

Happy Birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr!

January Everyday Champion: Nate Faris!

Congratulations to MCCOY's January Everyday Champion: Nate Faris! What is your profession or vocation?
I am a Certified Arborist and I direct the Youth Tree Team program at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. I hire high school youth to work in crews to water and care for newly planted NeighborWoods trees in Marion County, Indiana.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?

I think I am a champion for youth by both setting clear boundaries with youth and, at the same time, befriending them. I aim to make good use of the creative tension between being a friend of youth and being an employer of youth. Such a situation allows for youth to feel both valued for who they are as well as invested in and responsible for their crew's work, and the work of the Youth Tree Team program in general.

	What impact do you hope to make on youth?
	I hope to give high schoolers a great first job that gives them life skills (punctuality, responsibility, teamwork, leadership), job skills (proper tree and plant care), connections to local green-collar job (landscape architecture, tree care), and experience with the environment (rafting on the White River, learning how to identify tree species).

	What?s one thing that you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person?
	I value the work you are doing, and you are on the right track.

	What do you want to do next to support youth?
	I want to make connections with local green-collar professionals--landscape architects, tree care specialists, etc.--in order to connect youth with meaningful jobs when they have graduated from our program.

Do you work directly with youth?

Yes

What percentage of your time is spent working directly with youth or families?

40-59%

Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse

FACT: If child sexual abuse left physical scars instead of emotional ones, people would be horrified. Sexual abuse can negatively impact every part of a victim’s life. The real tragedy is that it robs children of their potential, setting into motion a chain of events and decisions that follow the victim throughout his or her life.
FACT: Emotional and mental health problems are often the first consequence and sign of child sexual abuse. However, it should be noted that some victims do not display emotional problems or any other immediate symptom in response to the abuse.
FACT: Sexual behavior problems and over-sexualized behavior are a very common consequence of child sexual abuse. These are signs of abuse that are not always included on "what to look for" lists, probably because many find it unpleasant to think about. However, age-inappropriate behavior can be a very important and telling sign that abuse is or has occurred.
FACT: Academic problems in childhood are common in children who are sexually abused. Victims perform at lower levels than their non-abused counterparts.
FACT: Substance abuse problems beginning in childhood or adolescence are one of the most common consequences of child sexual abuse.
FACT: Delinquency and crime, often resulting from substance abuse, is more prevalent in adolescents with a history of child sexual abuse.FACT: The risk of teen pregnancy is much higher for girls with a history of child sexual abuse. This is likely due to over-sexualized behavior, a common consequence of child sexual abuse.

If you are interested in attending a Stewards of Children training to learn how you can prevent the children in your life from becoming sexually abused please visit the MCCOY website to register for a training: http://www.mccoyouth.org/Intervention/stewards-of-children.html.