For the March YYASS session, Dr. Ratliff will describe and discuss the experiences of transgender youth and offer practices that can support trans youth as they navigate unsafe and stigmatizing social environments in their lives. This Office Hours series offers a virtual learning space for those leading and coordinating youth engagement efforts in System of Care and Healthy Transitions grant communities, as well as others who are working in and leading youth-run programs and organizations. This includes, but is not limited to: Youth Engagement Specialists, Youth Coordinators, Youth Program Managers, Youth Peers, as well as leaders of Youth MOVE chapters and other youth-run programs that engage youth with lived experience in youth serving systems in change-making. From creating youth programs to exploring youth peer supports, building sustainability plans, to growing partnerships in communities, youth-run program leaders hold many roles. This monthly space is designed for informal, … [Read more...] about Youth/Young Adult Support Space (YYASS)
Youth Voice & Engagement
Words Matter Discussion Series Finale
The adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true – Words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child serving systems with those that are directly affected. Our goal is to illuminate how the terms we use can influence perception, approach, and practice, as well as explore alternative language as a means of intentionally shifting how we view and interact with youth, families, and each other. … [Read more...] about Words Matter Discussion Series Finale
Heart Work Series Part 2 – Do you see me? How systems of care can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), youth previously involved with the juvenile justice system had up to 23 times the firearm mortality rate of the general population. Black children accounted for 46 percent of gun deaths in 2021, even though they are only 14 percent of the U.S. under-18 population. Put more simply: Black children are five times as likely to die from gunfire as their White peers. This series will focus on how grass-roots care systems can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence. So often, we blame gangs, and we forget that systemic racism is the root cause. Participants will hear from first responders who are not traditionally funded by systems of care and are doing the most vital work, including faith-based, mental health, substance use treatment, peer support, research, and street outreach perspectives. WHAT IS A HEART WORK SERIES? A Heart Work Series … [Read more...] about Heart Work Series Part 2 – Do you see me? How systems of care can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence
Heart Work Series Part 1 – Do you see me? How systems of care can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), youth previously involved with the juvenile justice system had up to 23 times the firearm mortality rate of the general population. Black children accounted for 46 percent of gun deaths in 2021, even though they are only 14 percent of the U.S. under-18 population. Put more simply: Black children are five times as likely to die from gunfire as their White peers. This series will focus on how grass-roots care systems can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence. So often, we blame gangs, and we forget that systemic racism is the root cause. Participants will hear from first responders who are not traditionally funded by systems of care and are doing the most vital work, including faith-based, mental health, substance use treatment, peer support, research, and street outreach perspectives. WHAT IS A HEART WORK SERIES? A Heart Work Series … [Read more...] about Heart Work Series Part 1 – Do you see me? How systems of care can wrap around youth and families impacted by gang and gun violence
Words Matter Discussion Series – Tolerance vs Acceptance
The adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true – Words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child serving systems with those that are directly affected. Our goal is to illuminate how the terms we use can influence perception, approach, and practice, as well as explore alternative language as a means of intentionally shifting how we view and interact with youth, families, and each other. … [Read more...] about Words Matter Discussion Series – Tolerance vs Acceptance