There has been good success partnering with others and garnering cooperation from other agencies. In particular, partnership with the Board of Education has been helpful in scheduling Say It Straight sessions and in promoting Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings. Youth As One contains a three-pronged approach, including Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings (targeted to those who work or spend time around young people), Say It Straight (a course offered directly to young people), and Mentoring services. We’ve been very successful in obtaining assistance through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Emergency Preparedness funding to help with the cost of materials and lunches at Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings.

There has been some obstacles with testing for Say It Straight. This year, there has been more extensive evaluations at the end of the sessions, and youth seem to tire of the evaluations themselves. Program coordinators are considering scheduling these sessions at other times. Historically, sessions have been held after school hours, but the youth tend to be very energetic, as they’ve been sitting in classes all day.

Program coordinators are partnering with the Board of Education to offer more Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings in FY2017. Additional staff have been trained to be able to facilitate Say It Straight sessions, and hopefully continue to expand that program.

The staff member which ran the Say it Straight program was out on maternity leave during this portion of the year. There is a plan for 6 more staff members be trained as SIS train the trainers. Each staff member will hold at least one group between the months of March and June of at least 6 students each with the goal of having minimum, 6 groups with 36 students completing the model.

Project that works towards keeping children safe in their families and communities through implementing evidence based communications/behaviors that count oneself, others and issues, and reduce negative communications such as people pleasing, blaming, bullying, sarcasm, threats, carrying grudges, lecturing, disrupting, or being irrelevant through the Say It Straight (SIS) Program and Mentoring Services. Also provides training regarding Youth Mental Health First Aid to community members that interact with children to assist them to develop resposne options which are tailored to the needs of those with behaviroal health issues.

Say It Straight: Adolescents aged 10-14, who exhibit a need to build on their assets and protective factors by having at least one mentla health risk. Youth Mental Health First Aid: Professionals and community members that consistently work with youth aged individuals.

Disconnected Youth