Seminar At Risk Children

1. SeminarAt Risk Children Dr. Cleveland Houser Prison Ministry Consultant and Trainer, North American Division

2. At Risk Children Definition: At risk children are children whose lives are complicated by adverse circumstances steming from family and environmental abnormalities.

3. It IS A Fact Most at risk children are children of incarcerated men and women.

4. The Affects of Fatherhood The Affects of The Decline of Fatherhood • It is a major cause of many disturbing problems that plague American society. a. Crime, Premature Sexuality, out of Wedlock Births. b. Deteriorating Educational Achievements c. Depression, Substance Abuse, Poverty, Alienation.

5. The Effects of Fatherhood Cont. • Many people believe that fatherlessness is related to violence and delinquency. • Having a father in the home is no guarantee that a crime want be committed, but appears to be an excellent form of prevention.

6. The Affects of Fatherhood Cont. Research Shows That: • 60% of American rapist come from fatherless homes. • 70% of adolescent murders grew up in fatherless homes. • 70% of long term prison inmates grew up in fatherless homes.

7. The Affects of Fatherhood Cont. • Teen suicide has tripled • When the father is out of the home the household income drops by at least %25 and poverty occurs. Child poverty exceeds that of the elderly.

8. Children of Prisoners • Many things can wait. Children cannot. • Today their bones are formed, their blood is being made, their senses are being developed. • To them we cannot say “tomorrow”. Their name is today. Johann C. Arnold

9. Children of Prisoners Children of Prisoners are Image Bearers • Made in the image of God. • Known by God • The fatherless and orphaned • Forgotten and labeled by society • Most likely to become prisoners

10. Violence Ripples to Children • Violence is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it strives on hatred rather than love…Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers. M L King

11. Risk Factors Ages 3 and Under • Inadequate nutrition • Environmental toxins • Diminished maternal interaction • Trauma and abuse • Substance Abuse • Low quality child care

12. Assessing Risk Factors of At Risk Children Multiple At Risk Factors of Children • Live in violent neighborhoods • Inadequate parental care • Lost of self-respect • Hopelessness, resentful, rage, defeat • Vulnerable to sexual abuse • Numbness and interpersonal racism

13. Signs of At Risk • Family conflict, abrupt changes in behavior • Manipulative, Lying, stealing • Bullying, runs away, disorderly conduct • Hangs with the wrong crowd • Defiant, bi-polar disorder, depressed • Low self-esteem, self-mutilation • Substance abuse, sexually active

14. Signs of At Risk • Never at fault, uncontrollable anger • Poor emotional control • Lack of motivation, school suspension • I hate you attitude • You can’t make me attitude • Can’t keep friends • Fighting, violence, gang involvement

15. What Put Children at Additional Risk • Racism • Substandard schooling • Deteriorating or substandard housing • Parental neglect • Parental harshness • Low birth weight, poor nutrition • Inferior medical care

16. What put Children at Additional At Risk Cont. • Physically or emotionally unavailable parents • Marital distress (parents), divorce • Single parenthood • Lack of social support • Lack of role models • Parental substance abuse, incarceration

17. What Protects At Risk • Predictable and attached relationships with one or more caring adults. • Skills and activities that build competence and confidence. • Belief in God and an affiliation with a community of faith.

18. Programs Angel Tree Program • Expresses tangible love and compassion for children of prisoners during the holiday season. • Sends children to summer camp

19. Programs Reading Recovery Programs • Focus on each students strength not their deficits. • Children learn strategies on how to become independent readers., • Children learn to read by composing and writing their own messages. • Read for understanding

20. Programs Programs for Physical Activity • Out door activities, athletics, adventure, camping, field trips. • In door activities, sports, swimming, track, table tennis, racquet ball, etc. • Health and nutrition

21. Programs Self-improvement Programs • Cultural events • Educational • Self-esteem • Dignity • Career building • Belief in self

22. Breaking The Chains Helping At Risk Children Break The Chains • They don’t need pity; they need compassion. • They don’t need us to be their best friend; they need us to be adults to give them loving discipline and direction. • Give them choices and teach them how to problem solve

23. Breaking The Chains • Avoid internal and external labeling because of how they look and environmental factors. • Love cast out fear. Be reliable, consistent and trustworthy because all of these factors are absent in their lives. • They need role models, mentors and life coaches to help them cross over the Red Seas in their lives.