SUMMARY OF GROUP DECISIONS

Issue to be studied: “Youth at risk” (for truancy, academic failure, substance abuse, etc.) with subcategory “Lack of parenting skills”.

Definition of terms: Youth at risk: ages birth to 19 years, and at risk of failing academically, socially and in personal relationships.

Contributing Causes:

Ø Poverty;

Ø Single parent families;

Ø Lack of knowledgeable parents;

Ø Intergenerational lack of role models;

Ø Domestic violence;

Ø Substance abuse in the home;

Ø Lack of adequate health care;

Desired Outcomes:

Ø Child succeeds academically

Ø Child succeeds socially

Ø High self esteem

Ø Child graduates from high school

Ø Child stays out of criminal justice system

Ø Child has relationship with one significant adult

Ø Child has aspirations, hope, sense of future, purpose

Ø Child involved in community

Define focus group participants:

Youth – grades 6-12
Parents of children grade 5 and under
Parents of children grades 6 through age 19
High school dropouts

List questions to ask focus group participants:

Youth:

Ø Family situation

Ø Goals for future

Ø Are you doing what you want?

Ø What is at-risk?

Ø What would make them more successful?

Ø What causes stress?

Ø Obstacles/needs

Parents:

Ø Major concerns as parents?

Ø What will it take to address concerns?

Ø Are kids at-risk?

Ø Most difficult things about being a parent?

Ø Family situation?

High School Dropouts:

Ø What is at-risk?

Ø Why dropout? Obstacles?

Ø Family situation

Ø Dropout was good?

Ø Anything to change decision?

Ø What would bring back?

Subcommittee Participants:

Mala Camp, Tri-Cap of Boonville

Beth Stein, Crisis Connection

Joan Melsheimer, DSP Co-Op

Connie Branch, Division of Family & Children

Norma Duley, Christian Resource Center

Arlene Schrader, Council on Aging

Esther Darden, Council on Aging

Sharon Schulte, Council on Aging

Dick Hedrick, South Spencer County School Corporation

Jack Morrisa, Council on Aging

Therese Baronowsky, United Way

Dan Hayden, United Way