What We're Up To!
A brief collection of initiatives, trainings, and programs the Human Services Division
is currently active in...
For a synopsis of achievements from the Human Services Division over the full year 2010, please click here!
Communities That Care (CTC)
CTC is a community-wide collaboration that uses prevention-science research to promote positive youth development and prevent youth behavior problems. The process looks at risk factors for youth ( substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop out, violence, and depression & anxiety) as well as protective factors within the community that help prevent those risk factors. This provides the community with a foundation from which to address problem areas, and strengthen positive messages for the youth of York County. To learn more about the CTC process, click here and here.
Truancy Prevention Initiative
The Truancy Prevention Initiative brings together community, school, and government officials to address the troubling problem of truancy in York County. This group has introducted Truancy protocols for the Children & Youth system, and is currently working to address the laws defining truancy, and trying to standardize how school districts in York County collect and record truant student data.
On September 21, 2010 the Truancy Prevention Initiative (in partnership with the United Way of York County and York County Communities That Care) held a 2010 Truancy Summit at the York County School of Technology. At this event, members had a chance to talk with youth, parents, and teachers about what they think causes truancy and drop out. Students spoke with youth who have dropped out of school. Agency representatives, lawmakers, as well as schools and parents, spent time brainstorming ways to shape truancy policies so that they fit the needs of our residents. Questions or requests for information on this event can be directed to: Leigh Dalton, (717) 854-8755 x 209.
Permanency Roundtable (Casey Family Foundation)
The Casey Family Foundation recently spent several weeks in May and June working diligently with York County Children & Youth on cases of children who have been in placement for 24 months or longer. The goal of the roundtable discussions was to find a life connections for children who've spent much of their childhood in placement settings with no family or personal connections. Life connections are important for children to grow into well-rounded, cared for adults.
Education Law Training
(American Bar Association - ABA / Education Law Center - ELC)
The ABA conducted an Education Law Training for Children & Youth and other Human Services Division staff in May. This training focused on educating staff on the law, and the role of social workers, school districts, and parents in providing proper education for the children of York County. The Human Services Division is also working closely with the ABA and the ELC to train staff on McKinney-Vento and Fostering Connections for homeless stusents and students in care.
2010 Summer Camp Fair
The second-annual Summer Camp Fair was held in April at the York Learning Center. 15 camps were in attendance and many parents, children, and caregivers attended the event to collect information on summer camps available in York for summer 2010.
Poverty Simulation (York College of Pennsylvania)
The Human Services Division and York College teamed up to provide two sessions in June and July of Poverty Simulation to staff, providers, and community members. The Poverty Simulation provides a recreation of what it's like to live in poverty for one month. Participants play out the lives of low-income families, and are required to go to social service agencies, banks, grocery stores, pawn shops, pay utilities and rent, and utilize a transportation system on a limited amount of money.
Youth Development Center (YDC) Bed Conversion
As of July 1, 2010, the detention side of the York County Youth Development Center has been closed. The facility is now an entirely shelter-based program for youth who require close, yet non-restricted, supervision. Any youth now deemed necessary to be kept under lock and key is to be sent to the youth detention facility in Lancaster. The detention side of the York Center was not being used to capacity, and the switch to an all-shelter facility will allow the county to save money and better serve the needs of York County youth.
Children's Roundtable Initiatives
The following initiatives are part of the Children's Roundtable Initiative towards permanency, safety, and well being for all children.
Family Development Training and Credentialing (FDC)
The FDC program is targets to front-line workers in family-serving agencies. The curriculum provides workers with the skills they need to empower families to attain healthy self-reliance and interdependence within their communities. Several staff from the Human Services Division, as well as area provider agencies, completed this training and will continue to educate others in their agencies on the best way to empower families.
Family Finding
York County brought in the experts on Family Finding -- Seneca Center -- to train Human Services Division staff and providers on how to assist children in out-of-home placements maintain relationships with, or create new relationships with people who care for them. Family Find is also an integral part of the success of the Permanency Roundtable mentioned above, and is used to find lifetime connections for children in placement, as well as try to prevent children from being removed from their families in the first place.
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Conference 2010
York County sent 14 staff persons from the Human Services Division to the FGDM Conference (held by American Humane) in Burlington, Vermont from June 22nd - 25th. This year's theme was "Fostering All the Connections" and participants attended sessions focusing on how to build a strong network of connections for children and families.
What We're Up To!
A brief collection of initiatives, trainings, and programs the Human Services Division
is currently active in...
For a synopsis of achievements from the Human Services Division over the full year 2010, please click here!
Communities That Care (CTC)
CTC is a community-wide collaboration that uses prevention-science research to promote positive youth development and prevent youth behavior problems. The process looks at risk factors for youth ( substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop out, violence, and depression & anxiety) as well as protective factors within the community that help prevent those risk factors. This provides the community with a foundation from which to address problem areas, and strengthen positive messages for the youth of York County. To learn more about the CTC process, click here and here.
Truancy Prevention Initiative
The Truancy Prevention Initiative brings together community, school, and government officials to address the troubling problem of truancy in York County. This group has introducted Truancy protocols for the Children & Youth system, and is currently working to address the laws defining truancy, and trying to standardize how school districts in York County collect and record truant student data.
On September 21, 2010 the Truancy Prevention Initiative (in partnership with the United Way of York County and York County Communities That Care) held a 2010 Truancy Summit at the York County School of Technology. At this event, members had a chance to talk with youth, parents, and teachers about what they think causes truancy and drop out. Students spoke with youth who have dropped out of school. Agency representatives, lawmakers, as well as schools and parents, spent time brainstorming ways to shape truancy policies so that they fit the needs of our residents. Questions or requests for information on this event can be directed to: Leigh Dalton, (717) 854-8755 x 209.
Permanency Roundtable (Casey Family Foundation)
The Casey Family Foundation recently spent several weeks in May and June working diligently with York County Children & Youth on cases of children who have been in placement for 24 months or longer. The goal of the roundtable discussions was to find a life connections for children who've spent much of their childhood in placement settings with no family or personal connections. Life connections are important for children to grow into well-rounded, cared for adults.
Education Law Training
(American Bar Association - ABA / Education Law Center - ELC)
The ABA conducted an Education Law Training for Children & Youth and other Human Services Division staff in May. This training focused on educating staff on the law, and the role of social workers, school districts, and parents in providing proper education for the children of York County. The Human Services Division is also working closely with the ABA and the ELC to train staff on McKinney-Vento and Fostering Connections for homeless stusents and students in care.
2010 Summer Camp Fair
The second-annual Summer Camp Fair was held in April at the York Learning Center. 15 camps were in attendance and many parents, children, and caregivers attended the event to collect information on summer camps available in York for summer 2010.
Poverty Simulation (York College of Pennsylvania)
The Human Services Division and York College teamed up to provide two sessions in June and July of Poverty Simulation to staff, providers, and community members. The Poverty Simulation provides a recreation of what it's like to live in poverty for one month. Participants play out the lives of low-income families, and are required to go to social service agencies, banks, grocery stores, pawn shops, pay utilities and rent, and utilize a transportation system on a limited amount of money.
Youth Development Center (YDC) Bed Conversion
As of July 1, 2010, the detention side of the York County Youth Development Center has been closed. The facility is now an entirely shelter-based program for youth who require close, yet non-restricted, supervision. Any youth now deemed necessary to be kept under lock and key is to be sent to the youth detention facility in Lancaster. The detention side of the York Center was not being used to capacity, and the switch to an all-shelter facility will allow the county to save money and better serve the needs of York County youth.
Children's Roundtable Initiatives
The following initiatives are part of the Children's Roundtable Initiative towards permanency, safety, and well being for all children.
Family Development Training and Credentialing (FDC)
The FDC program is targets to front-line workers in family-serving agencies. The curriculum provides workers with the skills they need to empower families to attain healthy self-reliance and interdependence within their communities. Several staff from the Human Services Division, as well as area provider agencies, completed this training and will continue to educate others in their agencies on the best way to empower families.
Family Finding
York County brought in the experts on Family Finding -- Seneca Center -- to train Human Services Division staff and providers on how to assist children in out-of-home placements maintain relationships with, or create new relationships with people who care for them. Family Find is also an integral part of the success of the Permanency Roundtable mentioned above, and is used to find lifetime connections for children in placement, as well as try to prevent children from being removed from their families in the first place.
Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Conference 2010
York County sent 14 staff persons from the Human Services Division to the FGDM Conference (held by American Humane) in Burlington, Vermont from June 22nd - 25th. This year's theme was "Fostering All the Connections" and participants attended sessions focusing on how to build a strong network of connections for children and families.