4 Troubled Teens Blog

Serious teen troubles may not be much to laugh at, but according to a Sept. 26 article by Maureen Magee of the Union-Tribune, some troubled teens in the San Diego area are participating in an innovative education effort that is focused on the healing power (and career potential) of laughter:

Drugs, violence, teen pregnancy and incarceration  not exactly the stuff of punch lines and laugh tracks. ...

San Diego County high school students who struggle to cope with these issues are confronting them head-on in an unlikely stand-up-comedy class that also serves as therapy of sorts.

Paid for with $6,500 in federal stimulus money, this new course was designed for students who are interested in the entertainment industry. But it has also helped teenagers face their demons and relate to classmates at the county Office of Education community school in National City. ...

About 20 students enrolled in the course, "Laughter Is the Best Medicine," this year. It's taught by Sandi C. Shore, who hails from a family that's well-versed in comedy.
"These kids have been through a lot. I am blown away at their honesty and their creativity -- they don't hold anything back," said Shore.

Labels: education, laughter

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The two dozen teenagers sitting in Courtroom Eight of Tampa's George E. Edgecomb Courthouse had been arrested for different offenses, but were there for the same reason: They'd been given a second chance. They had been allowed to trade jail time and probation for a six-week program called "Shock Education."

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Amy Mariani reported on the program in an Aug. 7 article:

Shock Education is part of the countrys Juvenile Diversion Program and is designed to do more than scare delinquents straight. ... Boys and girls, ages 12 to 18, are referred to the program by different agencies -- juvenile court, probation offices, Department of Children and Families, school resource officers and parents.

Participants attend a variety of sessions on topics including gun violence and safe sex, Mariani reported. They meet teen moms, parents who lost teenagers to violence and peers who have been convicted of crimes. Teens can only attend the program once. If they are arrested again they will serve their original sentences.

Labels: florida, jails, education, alternatives

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They all had their own reasons for dropping out: Megan fell in with the wrong crowd, Jennifer's dad died, Janae was told she wasn't smart enough. And the stories go on.

But at the Life Skills Center in Clearwater, Florida, these stories with different beginnings all had the same ending: a high school diploma.

"Life Skills is a charter school under Pinellas County that offers students an alternative school setting where they can attend school for three to five hours a day year-round to help work around work and family obligations," the Clearwater Beacon reported. "Specialized teachers supervise the class and offer one-on-one help for students struggling with the material."

On August 20, 2008, the Life Skills Center opened with just six students. Today there are more than three hundred. Janae not only has her diploma, but also her CNA (certified nursing assistant) certificate, the Beacon reported. Her goal is to attend college, get a bachelor's degree, and become a registered nurse. Though she was once homeless, she now has a cottage apartment of her own.

Labels: students, education

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Researchers with academic organizations in Massachusetts and Illinois have determined that the United States is in the throes of a "dropout crisis" that requires national attention. A May 5 article on the CNN website reported that the problem is particularly profound among male and minority students:

In 2007, 16 percent of U.S. residents between 16 and 24 years old were high school dropouts, said the report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Alternative Schools Network in Chicago, Illinois. Among the dropouts, 60.1 percent were men, 30.1 percent were Latino and 18.8 percent were black.

"Because of the widespread, pressing nature of the crisis and the large numbers of young people who have already dropped out, a national re-enrollment strategy should be a fundamental part of America's national education agenda," the report says.

Experts estimate that an average high school dropout can expect to earn between $400,000 and $500,000 less than an average graduate will over the course of their working lives (between the ages of 18 and 64).

Labels: dropouts, education, high_school

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The Tri-County Youth Services Bureau in Maryland held its second "Youthquake" - an event aimed at helping teens discover healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol. The event featured games, workshops, art, and music.

"The kids that attended Saturday's program at the La Plata Campus of the College of Southern Maryland came from different situations. While some are known to skip school regularly, others are go-getters who took the opportunity to attend the various workshops."

Most of the students signed up for Youthquake through their schools, and many learned that there are people out there who are ready and able to help teenagers. They also learned the importance of protecting their identity online, and setting healthy priorities. Source: Southern Maryland News.

Labels: schools, prevention, education

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Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would give college tuition grants to some juvenile offenders. Supporters of the bill believe it would encourage some troubled teens to get their lives back on track.

"Delegate Norm Conway is sponsoring the bill. As an educator for 39 years, he says it's important to help troubled teens make a positive transition. 'They're out of their own families in many instances. You're hoping for the best possible transition and incentives that say hey if you're willing to do your part there are some opportunities out there for you.'"

The current proposal would make eligible committed juveniles under the age of 21. The grants could be used for any state public education institution. Read more at ABC2News.com.

Labels: grants, education, college

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Last September, the Idaho Meth Project surveyed more than 3000 junior and senior high school students to learn what the prevailing attitudes were about methamphetamine use.

"About 1 in 4 students said they believed meth could make them happy, and help them lose weight. Jose Deniz, CSI student says, 'I think that's exactly it. They're just not educated into exactly what it does to your body and how it deteriorates you. If they were to get some information or knowledge on it, they would probably think differently."

In response to the survey results, the Idaho Meth Project is conducting a radio and television campaign in hopes of educating teens on destructive meth use can be. Read more at KMVT.com.

Labels: prevention, education, attitudes

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SOS (Signs of Suicide) is a teen suicide prevention program that was first introduced in the 2000-01 school year. The materials include a video, and printed materials including a self-screening survey in which students can ask to talk to an adult about either themselves or a friend who might be at risk of attempting suicide.

"Research reports in 2004 and 2007 found that suicide attempts were 40 percent less for students in the SOS high school program than for the control group. The results were similar across racial and socioeconomic groups. Because of such studies, SOS is listed on the National Registry of Effective Programs maintained by the US government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration."

The program also teaches students to use the ACT method of "acknowledging" that a friend has a problem, "caring" by letting the friend know they want to help, and "telling" a trusted adult.

The Teen-Help-Directory offers help and information for teenagers and their parents. Find help for your teen before he or she turns to suicide.

Labels: suicide, prevention, education, misc

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A new program for troubled teens in California is seeing some good results. PRIDE - which stands for Pico Rivera Individual Development in Ethics - is a nine week program that partners at-risk teens with mentors and gets them involved in community activities.

"The youths are taken to bowling nights and movies, as well as Skid Row in Los Angeles and the county morgue. One important event in the program includes being 'arrested' and kept in jail for a few hours, to show the teens what the experience is like."

More than a "scared-straight" program, the overall goal of PRIDE is to motivate kids to do well in school and go on to college. PRIDE participants are referred by teachers, principals and parents.

Labels: motivation, support, education

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Recently, at the National Lieutenant Governors Association's annual conference, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder presented a resolution suggesting that states use the Missouri Model as a guide for state-wide mentoring programs.

''A wonderful seed planted right here in Missouri is now to bear fruit all across America. See what happens when we all work together, reaching across party lines to do what is good and right for the people,' Kinder said."

The Missouri Model consists of three parts; a program for children of incarcerated parents, a mentor initiative for state employees, and a partnership between the Department of Corrections and mentoring programs. Read more at News-Leader.com.

If your teen isn't getting the guidance he or she needs, you may want to consider boarding schools. TeenBoardingSchools.com lists schools to help teens with emotional and behavioral issues.

Labels: mentoring, education, influences

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School and police officials in Wyoming are working to determine how best to help teens understand the risks of underage drinking. They're finding that the most common approach - showing shocking images of accident scenes - may not be the most effective.

"'From what I've read, I think the approaches which try to shock students, either through videos of terrible accidents or other videos that emphasize the gruesome nature of things, the conclusions there are they are not effective and may be counterproductive,' [First Lady Nancy] Freudenthal said. Freudenthal isn't exactly sure why that's the case, but said it might be because students typically don't believe bad things can happen to them."

On city has implemented an incentive-based plan that rewards kids who stay drug and alcohol free. Indications are that 80 percent of the students there are participating in the program. Officials also emphasize the importance of parental involvement in the fight against underage drinking and substance abuse. Read more at CasperStarTribune.net.

DrugRehabTreatment.com offers news and information about adolescent substance abuse and underage drinking. Learn more about how parental attitudes influcence their child's choices today.

Labels: prevention, education, influences

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A report that compiled statistics from 22 federal agencies shows that teens are not as sexually active as they were just a few years ago. And of those who are having sex, more are using condoms.

"Education campaigns that started years ago are having a significant effect, said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a Washington-based nonprofit group that focuses on prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

In 2005, 47 percent of high school students reported having sexual intercourse, down from 54 percent in 1991. The teen birth rate also dropped from 39 per 1,000 to 21 per 1,000  a historic low. Read more at TheGlobeandMail.com.

Residential treatment centers can help teens struggling with a variety issues from drug use to sexual promiscuity. Learn about Island View - a residential treatment center in Utah. Next to Island View is The Aspen Institute of Behavioral Assessment, another residential treatment center which can help diagnosis and asses your child.

Labels: sex, teen_pregnancy, education

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New Haven, Connecticut is seeing an increasing number of teenagers enroll in adult education centers to complete their high school educations. Many, Like Corey Cox, simply didn't adjust well to high school, got very poor grades, and eventually dropped out.

"Cox's future looked bleak, until a third option emerged. He enrolled at the Adult Education Center in New Haven, most likely his last chance at a diploma. 'I said "Ma, I'm loving it. It was the first time I stayed in school all day,"' said Cox."

About 6,100 students in Connecticut enrolled in adult education last year to earn high school credit or their GED. The state allows anyone ages 16 and older to enroll. Many of the students cite caring teachers and more personal attention as primary reasons they perform better in adult education than in tradition high school.

Read more at NHRegister.com.

Still not sure how to help your young adult who isn't ready for college? Read about more Options for Troubled Teens After High School to learn about programs for young adults who are in successful recovery and sober living environments at NorthStarCenter.com.

Labels: education, young_adults, college

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