FROM JUDITH’S DESK

On August 16th, Office of Youth Services (OYS) and Hawaii Youth Services Network co-sponsored the conference, Resiliency in the Faces of Diversity. Participants learned about the Why Try? Curriculum for at-risk youth, heard an inspiring luncheon speech from Roy Sakuma, and OYS shared a report about disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system. But for me, the highlight for the day was the presentation of The Prison Monologues by inmates of the Women’s Community Correctional Facility.

They shared their poetry, essays, and skits about life in prison. I laughed out loud during a skit about a new inmate who was issued giant sized underwear and holey blankets and sheets, when she craved Victoria Secret and silk. When one woman read a letter she wrote to her nine year old daughter apologizing for not being there when needed, and another shared a letter from her adult daughter forgiving her mother for using drugs and going into prison, I had to wipe my tears.

I spent some time with the group helping them prepare for their performance and thanking them for sharing their lives with us. They were so excited about things that I usually take for granted – like the fresh fruit in the hotel breakfast, receiving a speaker lei, and having nametags and conference packets just like everyone else. “You don’t know how much joy you brought into our hearts . . .” said their thank you note to me.

For most of the women in the prison, drugs and/or abuse were key factors that led to incarceration. As youth workers, we can strengthen the protective factors that will keep the next generation out of our prisons. Simple things – a trusted adult with whom to talk, goals and dreams to work toward, participation in sports and other positive activities, the knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions – These can make the difference in the life of a child . . . and the long-term well-being of our families and communities.

RESOURCES

Hawaii Community Foundation Youth Prevention Grant Opportunity

The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) announces the launch of its 2012 youth prevention grantmaking funded by the Tobacco Prevention and Control Trust Fund (Trust Fund). HCF administers the Trust Fund through contract with the Hawaii Department of Health and implements a community grants program focused on ending and preventing tobacco use among Hawaii’s people, including youth.

The 2012 youth prevention grantmaking continues the effort to build on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) six strategies to build or support youth “school connectedness.” As stated by the CDC, students are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors and succeed academically when they feel connected to school. The 2012 youth prevention grantmaking also focuses on a target group of students (middle/intermediate school) and builds on data systems (or tools) now available throughout the Hawaii Department of Education to identify students at risk of disconnection.

Our objective is to support efforts to identify middle/intermediate students at Hawaii public schools at risk of disconnection from school, design and provide effective interventions and supportive programs to address the risk, and improve school connectedness for those students.

The 2012 youth prevention grantmaking is divided into two phases.

Phase 1: A planning phase to allow schools and/or community organizations to plan projects and/or build partnerships to address the needs of a targeted group of students.
Phase 2: An implementation phase to allow schools and/or community organizations to identify at risk students, provide interventions or activities, and track or monitor those students.

Proposals responding to HCF’s Request for Proposals (RFP) must be submitted through the on-line application system (see RFP for more information).

Important Dates:

September 6th, 2012 (10-11 am) – Webinar related to this RFP. https://cc.readytalk.com/r/eunwalwzm91y
September 7th, 2012 (1-2 pm) – Webinar related to this RFP. https://cc.readytalk.com/r/wr9em7deyrgh
September 13, 2012 (estimated) – HCF’s on-line application system open to submit proposals for Phase 1 (Planning).
October 22, 2012 (by 5:00 pm HST) – Deadline to submit proposals on-line.
December 23, 2012 (anticipated) – Notification of awards.

Note: If you are unable to participate in either of the webinars, they will be recorded and posted to the HCF website at a later time.

Please go to this link to download/view the RFP: http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/grants/grants/grant/hawaii-tobacco-prevention-control-trust-fund-prevention

Deadline is : 10/22/2012

Stop Bullying Video Challenge

Recently, Secretary Duncan called on America’s youth to take the Stop Bullying Video Challenge.
The Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention encourage the youth in your life to submit original PSAs, 30 to 60 seconds in length, that showcase ways they are taking action against bullying and promoting a culture of kindness and respect in their communities.

Full details about the contest, including submission guidelines and rules for eligibility are available at stopbullying.challenge.gov. Please note that the deadline for submissions is October 14, 2012 at 11 PM ET. Youth between 13 and 18 years old are eligible to participate, however those under 18 years of age must have permission from a parent or guardian. The contest winner will receive a grand prize of $2,000, with the two runner-ups earning $500 each.
Here’s how you can take action:

Watch Secretary Duncan’s Video
Work with youth to enter the challenge
Forward this message to your networks

Sample Tweet:
Help #youth showcase ways they are ‘being more than a bystander.’ Enter #BullyingChallenge by Oct 14 http://go.usa.gov/G9y (19 characters remaining

Sample Facebook Post:
Encourage the youth in your life to take the Stop Bullying Video Challenge. Help them to submit an original PSA about how they’re taking action against bullying and being “more than a bystander.” The deadline is October 14 and the top prize is $2,000. http://go.usa.gov/G9y

Sample News Brief (for websites, digests, newsletters, etc.):
Youth: Enter the Stop Bullying Video Challenge
On behalf of the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention, encourage the youth in your life to submit original PSAs, 30 to 60 seconds in length, that showcase ways they are taking action against bullying and promoting a culture of kindness and respect in their communities.
We’re looking for informative and entertaining videos that a send positive message to youth about the importance of being “more than a bystander” to bullying in their schools and communities.
The deadline for submission is October 14, and the top prize is $2,000. Full details about the contest, including submission guidelines and rules for eligibility are available at stopbullying.challenge.gov.

TRAINING

Building Peace in Our Communities

Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women
Celebrates Women’s Health Month 2012
(Co-sponsored by Hawaii Youth Services Network)

BUILDING PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
A Frank Discussion on Bullying

MISSION MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
On the grounds of Honolulu Hale
FREE PUBLIC PARKING

Tuesday, September 25, 2012
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Who should participate?
Students, teachers/professors/lecturers, counselors, school administrators, moms, dads,
aunties, uncles, tutu, caregivers, brothers, sisters…

Light Refreshments will be served from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Caring for Our Warriors & Their ‘Ohana Teleconference

Fri. 9/14/12 Special Live and Teleconference training “Caring for Our Warriors & Their `Ohana!” at Queens Conference Center, DOH and other sites on all islands.

A special panel of experts wil discuss a very timely and needed presentation focused on caring for our Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families. Learning objectives include:

Recognizing the challenge of providing comprehensive behavioral health care;
Understanding the vast potential benefit of utlizing telehealth in providing behavioral health services for Military Beneficiaries in remote locations;
Appreciating the positive impact of providing behavioral health services for children directly within the schools;
Identifying major areas of focus for the treatment of PTSD in the Military and Veterans populations; and
Discovering community and institutional resources available to assist in the treatment of returning Veterans.

You MUST make reservations at these sites – seating is limited!

Big Island – Hilo – Waiakea HC Environmental Health Facility 808-974-4291
Kauai: Kauai Hospice (Capacity 24), 4457 Pahee Street, Lihue. For
reservation, please call Trishana Star, 808-245-7277.
Lanai: Domestic Violence Program, LCHC (Capacity 10). For
reservations, contact Beverly Zigmond, 808-565-6700.
Maui: Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Cameron Center (Capacity 6 people), 95
Mahalani Street, Room 16B, Wailuku. For reservations, please call
Hau’oli Tomoso at (808) 442-6801
Molokai – Ka Hale Pomaika`i 808-558-8480
Oahu – Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health, 91-2301 Old Fort Weaver
Rd., Ewa Beach (Capacity 10). For reservations, please call Christine
Matsuura 808-677-2562
Oahu – Kaneohe, State Hospital (Capacity 10). For reservations, please call 236-8702
Oahu – Ke Ola Mamo, Honolulu Site
Oahu – UH Manoa at S.T.A.N. – Saunders Hall, 7th floor, TIPG conference Room, 808-956-6668
Oahu – Shriners Hospitals for Children Honolulu 808-951-3616
Oahu – Waimanalo Health Clinic. For reservations, please call Haunani Valente and Ann Tanigawa 808-259-7949

INSIDE HYSN

PPHI WINS APPLE ORCHARD AWARD

The Planned Parenthood of Hawaii (PPHI) Education & Training team was recently honored with the 2012 Association of Planned Parenthood Leaders in Education (APPLE) Orchard Award. This award is given to an education department that has risen to the occasion and serves as a model of excellence for other affiliates. Sonia Blackiston, PPHI’s Director of Education and Training graciously accepted the award on behalf of the PPHI team during the Drawing Water From a Deeper Well conference in Spokane, Washington August 6-10, 2012. The PPHI Education & Training team is honored to be recognized by their colleagues and peers and remain committed to ensuring that young people, adults and families get the education and information they need to make informed sexual health decisions.

FROM JUDITH’S DESK
Each year, TeenLink Hawaii features an on-line quiz during Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month in May.    This year I received, for the first time, an analysis of how the students who took the online quiz fared.

While more than 80% of the participants knew that abstinence is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, and 90% knew why “pulling out” is not an effective method of birth control, there are many gaps in knowledge among our young people.

Nearly 60% of participants did not know that you can get birth control at age 14 in Hawaii and a third thought that 18 was the earliest age. Most underestimated the likelihood that a girl would get pregnant within a year if she didn’t use birth control (if you’re wondering, the correct answer is 90%).  A fifth believe that you can’t become abstinent and say no if you’ve had sex before, and only a quarter know how long after unprotected sex you can take emergency contraception (the morning after pill).

We know from the Hawaii Youth Behavioral Risk Survey that many of Hawaii’s youth do not consistently practice abstinence throughout their teen years and – to our shame – Hawaii has the lowest rate of condom use among sexually active students in the United States.

We need to give our youth opportunities to learn the knowledge and skills that will enable them to make healthy lifestyle decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

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RESOURCES

 

PARTICIPATE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH DAY

Senator Chun Oakland is proud to present the 19^th Annual Children and Youth Day (CYD), happening on Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 10am- 3pmat the State Capitol and surrounding areas. The purpose of CYD is to celebrate and honor our children and youth and the special contributions they make to our
Community.

Families and parents will be able to collect resources from over 300 exhibitors and community organizations, whose services and programs are committed to keeping young children safe, healthy and ready to succeed. Please join us for a free day of thrilling adventures, surprises and excitement. There will also be nonstop entertainment, games & rides, demonstrations, guided tours and food & drink vendors.

If you or your organization are interested in participating as an interactive vendor, early bird registration will continue until July 31^st! The early bird registration fee of $85 provides you with a 10×10 booth space, 1 table, 2 chairs, parking and lunch passes. Starting August 1^st, the registration fee will go up to $125 per booth.

The link to the online form to sign up to participate is:http://bit.ly/HCYD2012App. There are also many volunteer opportunities available through CYD. A complete listing of areas of need are listed here also.

Lastly, stay connected with Children and Youth Day for all the latest info via Facebook and Twitter by searching “HawaiiCYD”. See last year’s fun here:www.HawaiiCYD.org.

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5TH ANNUAL HEALTH WELLNESS FAIR AT HCC

The 5th Annual  annual Health Wellness Provider Fair at Honolulu Community College will be held on Wednesday September 19, 2012 from 10- 2pm.  This year  celebrates community providers,  kicks off the first annual wellness walk and offers the flu shot to all participants at the fair. The activities and events scheduled during the day aim to provide a friendly environment for students, faculty, and staff to come together to:

(1) Learn more about mental health, personal health and well being.·
(2) Develop skills and techniques to maintain a safe and healthy way of living.
(3) Strengthen our ties to community organizations that strive to help all individuals lead healthy, happy and productive lives in context of mental health and wellness.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about HCC campus programs and services and to promote awareness of community resources. If you interested in participating, please send the following information by email:

Your interest in participating in the:  Health Wellness Provider Fair, Wed. September 19th – 10-2pm
Time of your arrival on campus.
If you need help to upload material from your car (please note that the fair will be hosted at the Cafeteria).

If you plan to get your FLU SHOT don’t forget to bring your health insurance card.

The deadline to receive your information is Monday August 23rd by noon.  Please send your confirmation ASAP.

If some reason you are unable to be physically present at our event, please consider providing us with your agency materials and contact information. We would be happy to arrange a table to display your agency information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kimberly Gallant  at 845-9180 or gallantk@hawaii.edu.

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Welcome – Context, History, and Purpose (15 minutes)

·    Updating HELDS
·    Building on past work
·    Implementing HELDS

HELDS Standards Feedback (20 minutes)

·    Please take 10 minutes to review the HELDS document
·    When you’re ready, please use the post-it notes provided to identify four priority suggestions or revisions.
You may provide overall feedback, spread feedback across the five domains, or focus on any one of the domains you prefer.

HELDS Implementation (50 minutes)

·    What benefits do you anticipate from the use of these standards?
·    Where do you foresee providers needing additional support in using these standards?
·    What format would help increase the use and application of these standards in a wide variety of settings?
·    What supplemental resources and information do you feel would help make these useful?
·    How can these standards advance the work you do?
·    What additional populations would be priorities for the development of additional materials?

Next Steps (5 minutes)

·    We will be typing up your feedback and sharing it with you later. Please make sure your current contact information is on the sign-up sheet.
·    HELDS revisions and implementation: timeline
·    P-3 mini-grants

Contact Amber for dates and locations throughout the islands.

Amber Richardson
amberr@inpeace.org
(808)620-9041

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HAWAII HEALTH CONNECTOR

For those interested in being added to the Hawaii Health Connector’s email list for board meeting notices and e-newsletters, please sign up on their website at www.hawaiihealthconnector.com. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and you’ll find a link indicating “Click here to join our mailing list”.

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RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Creating Employment Opportunities
for Honolulu’s Young Adults

Creating Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides young adults,18-21 years old who were previously involved in the juvenile justice system the opportunity to achieve educational, training, and employment goals through participation in various services and activities.

Education & Vocational Training Services:
Competency-Based High School Diploma (CBHSD) • GED • Tutoring or Remedial Skills
• Post Secondary • Industry-Recognized Credential Vocational Training

Career Development:
Subsidized Work Experience and On-the-Job Training • Career Assessment
• Job Readiness  Preparation • Employment Counseling • Job Placement & Follow-up

Personal Development:
Meaningful Service-Learning Opportunities • Mentoring

Other Services:
Case Management • Substance Abuse Treatment Services • Mental Health Counseling
• Parenting Classes • Legal Services • Other Support Services

Eligibility Requirements:
1)  Participants must be 18 to 21 years old
2)  Never been convicted as an adult under Federal or State law
3)  Provide documentation proof of prior involvement in the juvenile justice system

For more information inquire at: (808) 768-5777

1505 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 206, Honolulu, HI 96817
Office Hours:  Monday – Friday from 7:45 am to 4:30 p

Contact: Darlene Rodrigues  593-9969 (Honolulu)

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PULAMA I KA ‘OHANA CONFERENCE
September 10 & 11, 2012

Conference Fees: $225 per person. Group Rate: $150 per person, for groups of 3 from same agency. One Day Only: $110 per person. Scholarships Available.To register, contact: Amy Nye at anye@hawaii.edu For program info, contact: Nanci Kreidman, Ramit Islam or Ambika Dalton at 808.534.0040 Visit online: www.stoptheviolence.org

Pulama I Ka ‘Ohana is designed to strengthen the dialogue and deepen understanding about the roles that historical trauma, cultural norms and gender have in contributing to violence against women in Asian and Pacific Island communities.

Highlights Will Include: 

Four tracks featuring programs from Hawai’i and the continental US:
1) Survivors with Disabilities
2) Opportunities and Challenges to Adolescent Health
3) Dating Violence and Bullying
4) Community Innovations

Allies from Micronesian, Japanese, Filipino, Native Hawaiian, Chuukese, and Chinese communities will be featured. A panel focusing on the unique issues facing immigrant survivors of intimate partner is scheduled as a plenary session.

Convening Partners Include:
Domestic Violence Action Center, Hawai’i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Queens Medical Center, State of Hawai’i: DOH & DHS, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Health Service, Medical Legal Partnership for Children in Hawaii, University of Hawai’i at Manoa School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene.

TRAINING

 

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HELPING YOUTH STAY OUT OF TROUBLE
Solution-Focused Therapy Meets Restorative Justice

Sponsored by Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education &
National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter

Maui – August 13 & 14
Oahu – August 15 & 16
Registration Fee – $225
Fee for members of NASW, HSBA, HSTA or students – &195
Scholarships and SW Continuing Education available)

Presenters:
Ben Furman, MD (www.benfurman.com)
Lorenn Walker, JD, MPH (www.lorennwalker.com  www.apologyletter.com)

In this 2 day workshop you will learn ways to help youth of any age overcome problems with the support of their family or friends by:

• Using Ben’s 15 -step solution-focused Kids’ Skills program
• Engaging youngsters by using Ben’s free Internet program
• Using a model of responding to wrongdoing by applying restorative justice & Ben’s Steps of Responsibility
• Mediating conflict & bullying with a solution-focused approach
• Applying practical ideas of how to teach parents and caregivers simple solution-focused techniques to improve their relationships with their chilkdren and positively influence

Each participant will receive a certification at the end of the workshop.

To register, make check payable to HFJCE and mail to:
Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education
P.O. Box 3654, Honolulu 96811

or contact Lorenn at (808) 637-2385 or loren@hawaii.rr.com

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TOOLS FOR JUSTICE Sponsored by Hawai‘i People’s Fund A training institute to strengthen the capacity of grassroots organizing in Hawai‘i nei September 21-23, 2012  •  Honolulu Friday 11:45 am-8 pm • Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm                  Sunday 8:30 am-4 pm TOOLS for JUSTICE is meant for those who are working in community for justice and social change. A 3-day intensive training will emphasize base-building, campaign and leadership development as the building blocks of strong community organizing work. Trainers are from SOUL, the School of Unity and Liberation,based in Oakland, California.SOUL works to lay the groundwork for a strong social justice movement by developing a new generation of organizers with the skills and analysis necessary to build community power and win systemic change. Founded in 1996, SOUL has worked with more than 6000 individuals in popular education-style trainings and workshops and built new capacity in hundreds of organizations. Who should come? Hawai‘i-based activists working for social justice Engaged visionaries mobilizing a new generation Organizers working for liberated communities Cultural leaders organizing with the grassroots Artists using their talents to promote social change What you’ll get: Social Movement History  •  Political Analysis Leadership Development  •  Organizing Techniques Base-Building Tools  •  Campaign Strategies Hands-on Practice  •  Take-away Resources A limited number of participants can be accommodated in this institute. You must be able to commit to the full training period, Friday through Sunday. Cost includes training, all materials, transportation to off-site venue, snacks and 2-3 meals/day. $250 includes 2 nights in hotel; $125 without overnight accommodations. A limited number of travel scholarships are available for neighbor island participants. [Approximately 75% of the cost is subsidized by Hawai‘i People’s Fund.] Applications are due August 24. Participants will be informed by September 7. If selected, full payment will be due by September 14. Apply online by clicking HERE.  Contact Darlene Rodrigues at HPFgrants@lava.net or 593-9969 (Honolulu) for more information.

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“Prevention Works – Strategies for Implementing Youth Suicide Prevention”

1:30pm – 4:00pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012

Diamond Head Health Center,
3627 Kilauea Avenue, Room 418, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
(no charge for parking – parking passes will be distributed at the event)

Presented by:
Mary Jadwisiak, 
a trainer & consultant from Battle Ground, Washington  

• Mary has experience in providing a wide range of trainings, consultations and support in her specialty areas of mental health recovery and suicide prevention.  While here, she will be doing community-based presentations, as well as Grand Rounds at both Queen’s Medical Center and Tripler Army Medical Center.

 

• Mary’s presentation will be enhanced with input from local pediatrician Dr. Robert Bidwell, M.D. Dr. Bidwell practices at Kapi‘olani Medical Center and teaches at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Manoa. He has worked for over 30 years in Hawaii and is known to many in the community for his advocacy and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

 

• There will be time for comments and questions from the audience.  This presentation is for parents, teachers, health care professionals, caregivers, case managers, community members and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of adolescent mental health.

We hope you will attend this presentation and discussion. Registration is not necessary.  Please share this flyer with others who may wish to attend.  If you have questions, contact Nancy Kern, Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Hawaii Department of Health: 733-9238 or nancy.kern@doh.hawaii.gov

This event is presented by the Hawaii Department of Health EMS & Injury Prevention System Branch through funding provided by the DOH Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. 

 

INSIDE HYSN

KATHLEEN STOFOCIK, MOST RECENT HYSN INTERN

Kathleen is currently obtaining her Master of Public Health degree through Des Moines University. She has been working in teen pregnancy prevention at Planned Parenthood of Hawaii for over 3 years educating Hawaii’s youth on how to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of STI’s. She has provided many educational sessions on a variety of sexual health issues to public school, private school and after-school programs across the state. With her dedication to public health youth issues, we are happy to welcome Kathleen to HYSN for the fall semester.