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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1992 0304 CC REG ITEM 08GMOORPARK rceW8. � 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 TO: The Eonorable City Council FROM: SG Shellabarger, Recreation DATE: February 28, 1992 SUBJECT: At Risk Youth Seminar '.'OC ?PARK, CALIFO 7N1A Of 199 /;CTiO Supervisor On January 9 & 11, I attended 'Options For At Risk Youth" seminar in Ontar_o facilitated by Jimmy Calloway, Professor at Cal State Norzhridae and expert on working with At Risk Youth. In addition to the in= ormation below, I received a training manual and a training video tape to assist in training staff to develop and r-1n programs for At Risk Youth. A copy of the manual's table c= contents is attached. SEMINAR OUTLINE A. The semina_ began with an introduction of participants. This was followed by an extens_ve overview of at risk youth incl ---3ing gangs, abused children, low income individual. etc. The information we received included a fascinat =ng lock on the inside of gang life, how to identify gang members and some background of gang motivation. Though the focus of the day was on gangs, the facili =ator stressed that it is important to understand that rot all at risk youth are gang members. Many are a -used, neglected, have special problems (AIDS, pregnancy, drugs or are just outside the system. It is also important tc realize that not all at risk youth are "reachable." B. As it was an cbj =ctive of this seminar to train the trainer on deali -g with at risk youth, a short section on trainir_� techniques completed the first day. C. The second day focused on programming for at risk youths. A = :ighli7ht of that section included the requiremer =s for a successful at risk youth program based on f= =rscna =ity traits. These requirements are: PAUL W. LAWRASON JR. JOHN= WOZNIAK SCOTT MONTGOMERY BERNARDO M. PEREZ a0Y E. TALLEY JR Mavor Mayo- Pro Tern Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember short duration, high intensity, high risk, and immediate rewards. A discussion of program ideas and risk management concerns followed. FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATION A high priority in developing this kind of program should be involving the youths themselves in the programs at the planning level. This would include making contact with groups and individuals within the community and committing them to assist on a city -wide program. Linking up with local agencies and individuals is a key element in developing and running a successful program of this kind. Another essential element when working with At Risk Youth is a strong Outreach Program to community groups. I am aware that the City Council has formed an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of representatives from the City, Moorpark Unified School District, Sheriff's Department, Boys and Girls Club and Chamber of Commerce to explore potential programs for dealing with this issue. At the direction of the City Manager, a copy of the material referenced in this report is being provided to members of the Ad Hoc Committee. Staff is evaluating our ability to provide recreational .-- programs to serve at risk youths. It is recognized that such programs would need to be consistent with the direction set by the Council after their consideration of recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and file the report. HANDOUT I SEMINAR OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE I: To facilitate the understanding, on the part of the participants, of the background, characteristics and attitudes of at -risk youth. OBJECTIVE II: To facilitate the identification of at- risk youth at an early stage. OBJECTIVE III: To develop a personal understanding by each participant as to what his own attitudes are on at -risk youth. OBJECTIVE IV: To develop an understanding of the needs of at -risk youth for recreation programs and skills. OBJECTIVE V: To develop an understanding of how to identify and assess those needs. OBJECTIVE VI: To develop an awareness of the techniques for leadership which can be effective with at -risk youth. OBJECTIVE VII: To become aware of one's leadership style and how to adapt it in different situations. OBJECTIVE VIII: To understand the program planning process; to develop the community recreation program components which will serve the at -risk. OBJECTIVE IX: To increase understanding of community organizations and their functions. OBJECTIVE X: To increase communications between leisure service providers and community organizations. OBJECTIVE XI: To provide information so that leisure service providers can train their own staffs. HANDOUT II At Risk Youth Training Manual Table of Contents SECTION I - -AT RISK YOUTH Chapter I Who is the At -Risk Youth? Chapter II Defining the At -Risk Youth The State of America's Children, 1991 Chapter III Leisure and Crime Chapter IV Understanding Special Issues The Gang Member Institutional Racism Gay and Lesbian Youth HIV /AIDS - Education and Prevention SECTION II- PROGRAMS Chapter V What is Recreation? Chapter VI Delivery of Community Youth Recreation Services with Focus on Low Income Areas Chapter VII Program Planning to Include At -Risk Youth Planning Programs for Age Groupings Typical Needs of Human Beings Needs Assessment Forming Youth Advisory & Planning Groups Volunteers Working with Problem Youth Steps in Program Planning Chapter VIII Breaking the Circle - A New Approach for Reaching At -Risk Youth Chapter IX Evaluation SECTION III - ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS Chapter X Outreach - Extending Community Services Chapter XI Leisure Education - What Is It? Leisure Education Content Model Leisure Education Activities Chapter XII Leisure Counseling Basic Needs of Persons Decision Making Process Counselor Competency Behaviors Counseling with Drug Dependent Clients SECTION IV - COMMUNITY Chapter XIII Community Development, organization, and Education Chapter XIV Linkages and Referrals HIV /AIDS Information Chapter XV The Transition Process: Serving Youth Returning From Residential Treatment Facilities in Community Leisure Services Chapter XVI At -Risk Youth Returning to the Community Understanding the Background of At -Risk Youth Dealing with Prejudices and Feelings Do's and Don'ts for Dealing With At -Risk Youth SECTION V - POLITICAL ASPECTS Chapter XVII Political Involvement in the Community The Political Process and Program Support Youth Involvement in Community Politics SECTION VI - TRAINING r Chapter XVIII Alternatives and Solutions Chapter XIX Training of Personnel Chapter XX Train - The - Trainer Program 30 Things We Know For Sure About Adult Learning Resources Worksheet Learner Evaluation Enrollment Sheet Chapter XXI OPTIONS - A Videotape Training Tool HANDOUT III ALTERNATIVES AND SOLUTIONS 1. When the problem is lack of money, look to scholarship programs, fundraising, political support. Raise public awareness of the need for funding, start a campaign to raise money. 2. When faced with a lack of facilities, look for alternatives sites: schools, churches, firehouses, libraries, public facilities. Seek service club support, involve the private sector, use parks and public streets to run programs. 3. When staff needs training to gain skills in providing services to at -risk youth, or to change staff attitudes, provide staff training through workshops, exchange programs, round table discussions with supervisors and mentors. Staff should understand how to use leisure education techniques. 4. Lack of community support requires education about at- risk youth in the community. This can be accomplished through a good public relations program, publicity materials, reporting on success stories of at -risk youth. Youngsters can get involved in community service projects and parents can, hopefully, be included in some programs. 5. Negative participant attitudes should be changed by involving participants in planning and operating programs, providing opportunities for success, and the use of leisure education techniques. 6. If there is a lack of staffing to operate programs, give responsibility to participants to operate programs (especially teens). Use volunteers and parents to supplement program staff. Train youth leaders. 7. Keeping parents informed and involved can combat the lack of parent involvement. Continued communications and follow -up with families can keep parents involved. 8. Networking with other agencies will provide the quality level of service we plan for. 9. Use school buses to cope with lack of transportation. Use car pools, volunteer drivers. Start walking programs. Seek grants for vehicles. OTHER COMMENTS: Implement employee and participant suggestion programs. Need network to disseminate r. information. Develop team building and image building techniques. Survey participants to find out needs. Provide proper training and screening for new staff. Maintain a consistent staff. Teach staff to wear a lot of hats. Experiment with new programs. Take risks. Assess what the community wants in programs. Hold newspaper information sessions to explain goals and objectives of youth services. Become knowledgeable in making referrals to alcohol and substance abuse programs, and social service agencies. Learn to identify child abuse, and what to do about it. Educate legislators to increase program funding. Document statistics. Do your homework before approaching legislators. Encourage more parental involvement in youth programs. Promote cooperation among all community agencies, schools and government, to pool resources and provide services to at- risk youth 24 hours a day. Get support from the schools, share programs with schools, including leisure activities. Establish good working relationships between community program, and youth- serving agencies.