MISSON AND GOALS WHO WE SERVED

Transcription

1 2017

2 MISSON AND GOALS The mission of the Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program is to promote and sustain the quality of life and resilience of FLNG children and youth by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and enrichment programs. This mission is reached by remaining focused on the goals of Education, Access, Opportunity, Communication, Resilience, and Outreach. WHO WE SERVED In FY2017, a huge push to increase the number Florida Army National Guard families served by the CYP occurred. As a result, 3,179 of the 3,899 total people served over the age of 5 were specifically from the Army National Guard. Roughly half of all people served were aged 0-18 and 75% of children served were ages The program saw a 44% increase in requests for resources from individual families. Army National Guard Adults Ages 6-12 Ages Air National Guard Active Duty Navy Army Reserve Other Ages 0-5: 522 Number of Referrals: 220 VOLUNTEER IMPACT 187 Volunteers dedicated 1,972 hours to the program in FY2017. This Contribution is valued at $47,604 ($24.14/hr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Volunteers loaned both their personal and professional talents to our program serving as teachers, medics, IT consultants, and security guards. Even Malik Jackson from the Jacksonville Jaguars lent a hand this year! Volunteers also assisted with logistics of executing events by helping with set up, break down, registration, and general supervision of youth. Because of the addition of radkids to FLNG CYP programming, volunteers attended more trainings than ever this year and became even more deeply invested in the program. As a volunteer, I am utilized in a way that plays into my strengths so that the kids receive as many tools possible. At radkids camp the kids were taught how to avoid and if needed fight against sexual assault and abduction. I feel proud to be part of something so important. I watched my kids gain confidence and tools to escape danger. This really hit home for me because I may not always be there to protect them. SFC Kyle Harth, FLARNG Volunteer & Father Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program Page 2

3 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS In addition to serving on multiple state level networking committees and working groups (e.g. Florida Special Needs Network, etc), the following 53 Events were conducted by the FLCYP in FY2017: 4 Weekend YAC Retreats 2 Educational Overnights 12 Briefings and Yellow Ribbons 6 Community Outreach Events 1 State Youth Symposium 5 Teen Resilience Events Serving 57 Youth 1 America s Armed Forces Kids Run (MOMC) 2 radkids Residential Camps (Summer/Winter) 1 Back to School Bash 2 Day Camps 8 Family Days & Military Appreciation Events 3 Partnership Events 2 Give Away Days (Turkeys, Toys) 4 Volunteer Trainings This program pushed me, the staff believed in me, and taught me how to be an adult. It taught me how to be a leader, to be resilient, and to stand up to peer pressure. Now that I am away at college, I see the difference between me and everyone else. I definitely have more tools and am in a much better position. Eli Temple Son of COL William Temple, FLARNG 2017 YAC Graduate Past President and State Service Award Recipient Youth Advisory Council (YAC) The Florida Youth Advisory Council (YAC) chose 2017 programming with strong themes of communication, team building and resilience (e.g. Leadership Reaction Course, Counterdrug s obstacle course, escape games, etc). At the third quarter retreat, they selected 6 new qualified members from a pool of applicants. The board finished 2017 as a twelve member board with a new executive committee. Florida s YAC supported 40 events for children ages 6-12 and became trained peer mentors for the radkids program. The Youth Advisory Council graduated 1 member in 2017, who received the state service award at the National Guard Officers Association banquet. As in years past, our graduates earned college scholarships as a result of their work on the board, thus easing financial burdens on their FLNG parents. They completed over 1,000 community service hours this year on service projects dealing with deployment support, poverty, disaster response, and bullying. The council met formally once per quarter for a weekend long retreat and participated in 4 conference calls. Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program Page 3

4 NEW IN 2017 radkids TM Camps & Classes Approximately 59,000 children are forcibly abducted in the United States each year. An estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually assaulted before they turn 18. Guard families are vulnerable due to the potential absence of one or more parents and the lack of the proximal support found in active duty. Since the only people guaranteed to be present if a child is victimized are the predator and the child, the best protection is child empowerment. In the summer of 2017, CYP staff became licensed instructors of radkids, a personal empowerment safety program for children. The curriculum teaches children that nobody has the right to hurt them and how to use their voices, hands, and feet to stop anyone who tries. It teaches them that they aren t helpless, and that if anyone hurts them its not their fault. The curriculum goes beyond abduction and sexual assault prevention. With lesson plans on bullying, internet safety, drugs, gun safety, cyber safety, fire safety, and more, radkids covers anything that can hurt a child in their environment. 161 children nationwide have prevented their own abduction using radkids skills. In February, the FLNG CYP became the first organization in the nation to host a radkids residential camp. For 17 years, day camp and school inclusion have been the only methods of delivery. With the support of the Alachua County Sherriff s Office, radkids Inc., and trained volunteers, Florida s CYP pioneered this delivery method. Over 50 FLNG children became radkids in YAC supported this endeavor, attending 8 hours of rigorous volunteer training to learn how to support the curriculum and handle the subject matter. Parent response has been overwhelming, with a summer camp waiting list at three times the capacity of camp. In 2018, CYP plans to offer a day camp option during drill weekends. Our middle child struggled with self confidence before attending radkids camp this summer. He came home more confident in himself and more educated about how to handle bullies. It s a relief to know that he has that knowledge in his toolbox for life! Thank you, FLNG, for easing this burden. Glenda Lynn FLARNG Spouse & Mother Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program Page 4

5 ALSO HAPPENNING IN 2017 In In a a world as as scary scary as as ours, ours, I am I am comforted comforted knowing knowing that my that children my children will never will feel never alone. feel This alone. program They will always have a trusted adult to call or a close friend to confide in. This program gives them both gives them both the relationships and tools needed to overcome adversity, separation, loss, and anything else life the relationships and tools needed to overcome adversity, separation, loss, and anything else life throws throws their their way. way. This This program program helps helps me me raise raise adults that that will will make make this this world world a better a better place. place. Jessica Martin FLARNG FLNG Spouse Spouse && Mother Mother Teen Resilience Program South Florida continues to be home to the most active Teen Resilience program in the state. With two deployments in that area in FY17, teen participation in resilience classes grew. Attendance doubled in that area and the parent feedback was extremely positive. This gave my kids real skills to practice and talk about at home when times were tough, said Melissa Suero, who was parenting her six children while her husband deployed. My family has benefitted so much from this program. The Teen Resilience program reached 57 teens statewide, which was an 73% increase from FY16 to FY17. Starbase STEM Camp In partnership with Starbase, the FLNG CYP hosted the first annual STEM day camp in summer of Under the direction of trained engineers, educators, and rocket scientists, 25 students spent five days exploring engineering, rocketing, computer design, and aviation. They built and launched various types of rockets and children as young as 8 learned how to operate the actual flight simulation programs used to train new pilots. Programs like these help bridge the summer achievement gap that occurs in learning while children are out of school. Parents reported that their children came home excited about learning and confident with their new skills. Response was positive, with a sold out camp and requests for future camps. Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program Page 5

6 COMMUNITY CAPACITY The Florida CYP continues to participate in The Florida Special Needs Network, which is a network of organizations and individuals working together to promote the safe and positive inclusion of children with special needs in all programs. This group meets on quarterly conference calls for the purposes of education and resource sharing. The members of this group serve as resources for one another as issues arise. As a result, 2017 marked the second year that the Florida CYP was asked to host an information session the annual Family Café.. In partnership with the Alachua County Sherriff s Office and radkids corporate offices, The FLNG CYP tackled serious child safety issues head on in 2017 (e.g. sexual assault prevention, abduction prevention, bullying, etc). The ACSO and a network of trained volunteers supported our camps and classes, helping with manpower, training, and equipment sharing. Additionally, we continue to enjoy a reciprocal relationship with the SARC office, holding a joint MOMC / SAPRM event to raise awareness of the issues facing Florida families. For the second consecutive year, we partnered with the State Department of Children and Families and participated in their activities for Child Abuse Awareness Month in March. Information about the CYP is shared through a monthly newsletter a Constant Contact campaign, and social media. We enjoy partnerships with a number of agencies that allow us to spread the word about our program and enable us to identify and refer our families to the best resources to meet their needs. New this year was the addition of Building Healthy Military Communities and the State Office of Early Learning. The CYP and the BHMC State Director continually share resources and information. The Office of Early Learning helps us identify childcare assistance for M-day soldiers who do not qualify for DoD programs. Staff Laura Holley Lead CYP Coordinator Office (904) Cell (904) Laura.h.holley.ctr@mail.mil Imani Graham CYP Coordinator Office (904) Cell (904) Imani.m.graham.ctr@mail.mil For information on events, resources, and news, like us on Facebook: FLNGStateFamilyPrograms For additional information, visit our web site: family Florida National Guard Child & Youth Program Page 6