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AJFCA Annual Conference Sunday, April 15, 2007. Collaborative Community Programs for Prevention and Engagement of Youth at Risk.
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AJFCA Annual ConferenceSunday, April 15, 2007 Collaborative Community Programs for Prevention and Engagement of Youth at Risk
Workshop Facilitators:Joan Grayson Cohen, Esq., LCSW-C Manager of Outreach, Jewish Family ServicesBeth Land Hecht, LCSW-C Director of Matching Services, Big Brother/Big Sister LeagueEva Schwartz Director of Career Services, Jewish Vocational Services1:45 to 3:15 PM PRESENTATION OUTLINE 1. Inception of JOIN 2. Phases of Development 3. Success of Collaboration 4. Collaborative Funding 5. Illustration of Teens being served within JOIN
IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS………*Teens hanging out on street corners*Teens vandalizing private and public property*Evidence of teens using drugs and alcohol, paraphernalia found outdoors*Synagogues were being vandalized, specifically liquor cabinets *Arson of a synagogue*Community members calling to complain about noise level and vandalism*Emergency Room visits of teens using substances after Purim and Simchat Torah *Fighting occurring between groups of teens on streets *Multiple reports about teen behavior were being made by: Rabbis, School Administrators, Parents, other community agencies, hospital, community members TEEN BEHAVIOR COULD NOT BE IGNORED ANY LONGER - A TASK FORCE WAS CONVENED
TASK FORCE Obstacles to Formation Overcoming Obstacles
FINAL TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP • Rabbis from all segments of the community • Jewish day school administrators • Federation (THE ASSOCIATED) • Agencies of Federation • Parents • Clinicians • Hospital • Grass Roots organizers • Lay Leadership • At Risk Youth experts
Initial Task Force Recommendations Development of interagency collaboration: JOIN FOR TEENS Securing funding from Federation - Priority Funding Creation of a working Model for collaboration Prioritizing of initial resources and services
PHASE ONEImplementation of Recommendations of Task Force 1. Hiring of 2 outreach staff 2. Canvassing of streets and hangouts 3. Creation of Motzei Shabbos programs 4. Donated Teen Center space
PHASE TWOExpansion of JOIN 1. Creation of Mentoring Program 2. Expansion of services to Jewish Russian Teen population 3. JVS involvement and summer job fairs 4. Community service opportunities 5. Parent programming 6. Grant opportunities identified for expansion of teen center 7. Teen advisory committee formed
PHASE THREECurrent Status and Looking Toward the Future 1. Expansion of Teen Center 2. Expansion of Programming 3. NFTE 4. Development with community resources (DORS, GED) 5. Vocational counseling and consultation
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR JOIN PROGRAM SUCCESS Marketing • Strategic planning to attract Jewish Teens • Where to target marketing • How do we market
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR JOIN PROGRAM SUCCESS Funding and it’s Challenges • Federation • Grants • Funds and Donations • Donors • Untapped Resources
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR JOIN PROGRAM SUCCESS Success of Collaboration • Initial buy-in from community • Initial buy-in from agencies & Federation • Support by Agency Execs • Importance of interagency communication: turf issues, budget, staffing