Keeping our Youth Out of Trouble

Keeping our Youth Out of Trouble
Good afternoon, I am Chris Droessler This is a condensed version of three talks I gave last year for the Working with Young Adults webinar series through the NCWorks Training Center. Thanks to Nona and Gene who made all that possible. I have posted the full PowerPoints for those three sessions on the NCETA Conference eProgram. You can find recordings of them on the NCWorks Training Center website. And as always - Download a copy of this PowerPoint and the related handouts by going to the NCETA Conference website at the bottom link. And you can always find all of my presentations at NC Perkins dot ORG. and click on the “presentations” link. Feel free to use all, or part, of any of my presentations. If it can help get someone on a path toward a rewarding career, then you can take and use anything I have to give. I have documented my information sources in the notes section of each slide in the PowerPoint to allow you to further research anything that you see here. ==== NCETA 2018 Keeping our Youth Out of Trouble Chris Droessler CTE Coordinator NC Community Colleges Get the PowerPoint  Get the PowerPoint 

Good vs Bad How can you tell the good kids from the bad kids?
How do you spot the kid who is on the verge of turning bad? =====

Here is the official guide to identifying a juvenile delinquent.
If it were only that easy, we wouldn’t be here discussing our at-risk youth. =====

It’s just as possible that these youth are delinquents.
It is hard to tell by just looking. Youth come in all shapes and sizes. =====

NC Comprehensive Strategy
Here is North Carolina’s Comprehensive Strategy for dealing with at-risk and delinquent youth. As you see in both sides of the chart, the first bullet is about family. That’s were it all starts. Unfortunately, the youth typically do not choose their family. And the last bullet on each side is about making healthy lifestyle choices. We can help get the youth in the right place with the right people, -- but in the end -- it comes down to their own personal decision to make a healthy lifestyle choice. I did not always make healthy lifestyle choices. In high school I hung out with people who broke the law. I didn't know any better at the time. That was normal for me. =======

It’s hard to define “normal” when we are talking about youth and their families.
I thought my family was normal until I grew up -- and started meeting other families. =====

Imagine how your job would be if all of the youth were normal?
Fun for a while, -- until you realized it was quite boring. We did not get into this business to work with normal kids. We just take kids where they are -- and try to get them to where they need to be. ==========

Differences Delinquent – Juvenile under age 16 who commits a crime or infraction, or violates motor vehicle laws. Undisciplined -- Juveniles 18 and under, and commit acts such as truancy, running away, ungovernable etc. Here are some official definitions. Delinquent -- means they have actually broken a law. Undisciplined -- means they could be heading that direction. ======= A Guide to Juvenile Court for Youth & Parents in North Carolina

The Other Choice Diversion
“The idea of diversion is to intervene early and give the juvenile who has allegedly committed an illegal act an appropriate consequence and allow the juvenile to prove that, given the opportunity and the resources, the juvenile can develop into a stable and productive member of society.” (Juvenile Diversion in NC DJJ 2013) This is why we are here. -- to divert the youth “Diversion” is an official North Carolina justice program, but we can all play a part in diverting the youth, -- to get them back on the right path. ====

Three components Work with the Family Work with the Community
Work with the Youth Three components to a successful program – You’ve heard the saying – “It takes a village to raise a child.” In this case it talks the whole village to turn the youth around. It takes Intrinsic motivation.

Nip it in the Bud Lack of social ties (ages 12 to 14)
Negative peer associations (ages 12 to 14) Poor parental management/Family problems Antisocial/pro-criminal attitudes Hyperactivity/impulsivity/attention problems Poor school performance/behavior problems at school Community disorganization/ neighborhood criminality One key is early intervention. It is hard to predict the future, but sometimes we might be lucky enough to catch a few warning signs. It’s too easy to blame it on the family. In most cases the family is not trying to lead their child down a path towards the dark side of the force. They usually just don’t know what is going on. Friends can be a problem. I hung out with some unsavory folks in high school. Fortunately, I had several different circles of friends with whom I hung out, not just one. I could see where I could get some benefits from some of the friendships without succumbing to their unlawful ways. Sometimes getting the youth involved with Boys and Girls Clubs; Boy or Girl Scouts; 4H; a school youth program like FFA, or Future Business Leaders of America; or an athletic program might help get the at-risk youth with other youth who are moving forward. Getting youth with no direction in life -- together with kids who have a direction -- should help. Positive peer pressure

The Roots of Risk Dysfunctional Family -- poor family parental guidance and other family issues. Not knowing what normal is, the parents may think all is ok. Dysfunctional family is considered the root of most risk factors. How do we educate the parents without directly telling them that they are doing it wrong? In my ministry work -- I have often taken children to a pizza restaurant or for ice cream to give them a break from a dysfunctional family -- and to let them see that all adults are not like their parents. Nobody is going to self label themselves as dysfunctional. It takes an outsider to notice.

Causes of the risk Because they don't know what normal is, a dysfunctional family is participating in the pretense that they are a normal family bringing up children within the range of what is normal. I thought my family was normal. And in many respects we were. Who’s seen this movie??? Little Miss Sunshine. A great movie about a dysfunctional family. We certainly do not want ALL families to succumb to some ideological sense of normality. We would end up with a boring world. -- And we would not have great comedies like Little Miss Sunshine. But there are some things that society agrees are necessary to create an ordered civilization. And we are discussing the rules and laws that society has created -- that we all must follow. We must Celebrate Diversity With everyone Contributing to society. =======

Expanding Horizons They begin to understand that things can be different than what they have experienced in their own families. When kids have spent a considerable amount of time with the families of friends, By that time, they have spent all of their formative years in an abnormal situation, developing abnormal ideas about love, loyalty, interdependence, functioning and roles For many, it is just getting away from the family and experiencing other families. Getting out of the neighborhood and experiencing others. Even visiting other countries. I told you about how I could take other family’s children to a restaurant. I did not have to tell them that I was different from their parents, I was just trying to present an example of what could be. I just wanted to expand their horizon. In the end, -- it is up to them to make their own decisions. Being mature enough to compare and contrast their own sense of normal with others. Remember those “compare and contrast “papers you had to write in English class. Here is a practical use for them.

Avoid Labels Don’t label youth Don’t label parents
All youth are “normal” We are using labels here to discuss what to do, but in real life, we need to avoid the labels. Treat each youth and their parents as unique unto themselves, and focus on what the team can do to help little Johnny make the best of his life. There is not one single measuring stick to hold up to all youth. Even the “normal” label should be avoided, because all kids are normal. When it comes to the law, there are some hard rules that everyone should follow. If your youth do not like the rules, then help them work within the system to create change. =======

Expanding Horizons They begin to understand that things can be different than what they have experienced in their own families. When kids have spent a considerable amount of time with the families of friends, By that time, they have spent all of their formative years in an abnormal situation, developing abnormal ideas about love, loyalty, interdependence, functioning and roles It is important for the youth to have many experiences. Many different experiences. They need to experience families and cultures that are different from their own. They also need to learn how to make decisions that will impact their choice to stay were they are -- or choose something else. What society calls “abnormal” might have always been their ”normal.” And we should never label it as “abnormal,” we should just call it “different.” It is up to the youth and/or the family to do their own self-labeling, and to make the decision to change. You never know what a restaurant serves unless you try it. For many it is just getting away from the family and experiencing other families. Getting out of the neighborhood and experiencing others. Even visiting other countries. Being mature enough to compare and contrast their own sense of normal with others. My normal is not your normal. ==== Normal graphic

Working with the family
To deal with a dysfunctional family is not only to deal with whatever they say the problem is, but also to deal with an intricate system of illusions and myths that the family relies on to keep it whole. Even if families know they are dysfunctional, they will probably not admit it. They will try to hold the family together a best as they can – and don’t need an outsider telling them how to run their family. In most cases they do not know how to change or what to change to. They just know something is wrong, but are afraid to admit it.  Rule number one is -- don’t tell them that they are doing it wrong. All families are normal. All families are normal

Get Help In most dysfunctional families children tend to learn to doubt their own intuition and emotional reactions. Outside support provides an objective perspective much-needed affirmation which will help you learn to trust your own reactions. Children know when something is not right, but they are smart enough to know to not question the status quo, or the way things are. They begin to doubt their own intuition and emotions, since their family says they are not correct. We are not in a position to tell the youth that their intuitions or emotions are wrong. Those are real to the youth, and we have to first seek to understand. We can provide an outside perspective. Sometimes just being around people that are outside their family or neighborhood is enough to get them to start examining their own life and making decisions as to where they need to be. You might be the person with whom the youth can discuss their intuition that something is not right about their family life.

Look before you Leap Don’t criticize. Analyze.
If you think the family is dysfunctional, take a step back and try to identify the forces that keep it that way. Do NOT tell the family that they are dysfunctional. Help the youth discover the forces that are affecting the family. ======= Dysfunctional graphic

Recognizing the strong points
People who grow up in dysfunctional families often: Have finely tuned empathy for others; Are very achievement-oriented Are highly successful in some areas of their lives; Are resilient to stress and adaptive to change. It is important not to lose sight of the good qualities. When we talk about bad things in our lives -- We often say if it doesn't kill you -- it makes you stronger. Kelly Clarkson had a song about that. Often folks from dysfunctional families end up doing OK. And in some ways they are better off for having gone through those experiences. It is hard for me to be empathetic to someone in a situation that I have never experienced. But I am a good listener. And that’s important.

Helping the Parents Faith Groups Library A Family Mentor Picture books
Reading in a different way Create your own Story Family stories Community events Remember that the family has to want to change before it will change. But being around folks who are different -- exposes people to new and different ways of doing things, -- and allows them the freedom to explore -- and possibly adapt other’s customs and norms as their own. There is a feeling of safety in a faith group, or a family mentor. The local library is a non-judgmental place where all can agree that knowledge exists. Sometimes you have to start simple with comic books to get kids to read. Keep a journal. Have you seen the movie Freedom Writers? ===== graphic

Gangs Don’t glorify gang activity Discuss negative effects
Choices have consequences Discuss positive life choices Focus on youth’s positive skills/influence Discuss conflicting messages Family cares Remain accessible Gangs offer power, support, prestige, and economic incentives to their members. When you are working with Youth, they should not be allowed to glorify gang activity, dress in gang-style clothing, use gang-related slang or insults, or hand symbols during program activities. It is best to not use any kind of hand signal, even the OK symbol could be misinterpreted. Talk about the negative effects of gang membership on youth, their families, friends, schools, and communities. Like: increased risk of injury to oneself or family members/friends, difficulties in school, pressure to commit criminal acts, and consequences of committing criminal acts (incarceration, lack of future job opportunities, causing harm to others). Emphasize to youth that their choices matter because their happiness and well-being are important not only to themselves but to the people who care about them. Emphasize to youth that they are responsible for their own choices, and make them aware of the consequences that they may face. Help youth to think through conflicting messages about gangs and violence. Youth who have been exposed to violence in movies, music, television, and video games may have detached and unrealistic perceptions about violence. Adults should confront these false ideas and help youth understand that acts of violence have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. IMPORTANT: Do not ask them if they are in a gang. Just talk about gangs as if they are not in one. We do not have the time today to examine everything about gangs. Google “gangs” and do some reading. Work with your local police. Find out why youth join gangs. === Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools document Gang graphic

This was released two years ago.
The Reentry Education Framework presents an approach for reentry education providers to develop an education continuum that strengthens their services and bridges the gap between correctional system- and community-based programs. While this is designed for adults who have been incarcerated, you might find something that you can use with your youth. The link to this publication is in the notes section under this slide. ===

Reentry Education Tool Kit
Here is an example from that publication. On the left in Green we have the transitions into and out of the correctional program. The blue overlaps because there are training programs within the correctional system, but the incarcerated individuals need to want to take advantage of them. When the inmate is released, shown at the bottom of the green circle, they follow the arrow to the orange circle on the right, which is the community-based programs. That's programs like yours. This circle overlaps with the blue education circle where you try to get the youth some kind of training – in an effort to get them gainfully employed and living independently without recidivating. A good mentor program is essential. At the bottom of the slide you see where this is possible-- only with strategic partnerships, -- like me working with you guys today. It takes a whole village to raise a child. ======

(Some questions may have more than one answer)
General Law 6. Having a misdemeanor on your record could prevent you from being: Accepted into college Granted a loan Hired by an employer Accepted into the military If you download Part III of my presentation, you will get a PowerPoint designed for you to work with your youth, or any group, about the legal consequences of typical actions. Today we are going to look at only 8 of the 30 questions that you can find in the PowerPoint labeled Part III. These are designed to allow group discussions before revealing the correct answer. So, what do you think about question number six? Having a misdemeanor on your record could prevent you from being what? If you have already downloaded the PowerPoint, then pretend you don’t have all the answers. Who thinks the answer is A? There can be more than one right answer. How about B? C? D? Question number 6.  A,B,C,and D are all correct answers. If you have any criminal record, do not look at jobs in the military, healthcare, law enforcement, and education. They do not want you, and typically don’t care how long you have been clean. Public colleges can not legally discriminate due to criminal background. Private colleges can. Military can grant waivers if you ask, but it is not easy. In fact a former coworker, who worked hard to get a wavier for her son to join the military, is the impetus for this test on legal issues. Crimes committed before age 18 do not count. But don’t tell the kids that until they are 18! Even a single misdemeanor on your record can hold you back the rest of your life. ==== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick Army disqualifiers Federal student aid Employment (Some questions may have more than one answer)

General Law 8. Once you have a criminal record, you must list convictions for the rest of your life on: College applications Loan applications Employment applications Credit card applications Question number 8. Once you have a criminal record, you must list convictions for the rest of your life on which of these? What do you think?  A and C are the correct answers. You must report any criminal convictions on college applications and employment applications. Except expungements, pardons, or certificate of relief. Those do not count. If you want a car loan or a credit card, -- Most lenders do not do a criminal background check. They won’t ask for it on the application, but they can deny a loan or credit card based on a criminal record if they discover it. It is too easy these days to do a criminal background check on the Internet. And even in situations where a criminal background is not supposed to be a factor, it might happen anyway, and how do you prove it? ======= Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Drugs & Alcohol 13. A misdemeanor drug charge could prevent you from gaining employment in which of the following career paths? Pilot Nurse A Federal Position Law Enforcement Question number 13. A misdemeanor drug charge could prevent you from gaining employment in which of the following career paths?  A,B,C,and D are the correct answers. Not just a nurse, but anything in the healthcare industry. Even the plumber employed at the hospital needs a clean drug record. The military will not take you unless you apply for, and are granted a wavier. And be careful who you let ride in your car. If your friends stash their drugs in your car, then in the eyes of the law, the drugs belong to you. ====== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Drugs & Alcohol 15. If you are under 21 and convicted of a DWI, what are the possible consequences? Lose driving privileges for 1 year Be able to drive to your job, only Your car insurance could increase 200% for one year Your car insurance could increase 400% for three years Question number If you are under age 21 and convicted of a DWI, what are the possible consequences?  A and D are correct. If you are under 21 and get stopped with any alcohol in your system, caught purchasing alcohol, help someone underage purchase alcohol, or use a fake ID to purchase alcohol -- -- you loose your driver license immediately -- and then for one year after the trial. And then there are the fines, court costs, and possible community service. And your car insurance could skyrocket. And even if you decide to not drive for three years to avoid the higher rate, the insurance company will patiently wait -- and start charging you the higher rate when you decide to start driving again. Even if you change insurance companies. ====== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Internet Hacking 25. Internet hacking is a Federal offense. If found guilty of this crime, the consequence(s) could mean: Not having a career in the military Never being able to get a loan for a car or home Having your voting rights revoked Notifying your employer that you are a convicted felon Question number 25. Internet hacking is a Federal offense. If found guilty of this crime, the consequence(s) could mean:  A,C, and D Hacking has become a big problem all around the world. For some kids, it’s just because they are bored and start snooping around online somewhere they should not be. But the government wants you to know how serious they are about hacking by enforcing some strong penalties. ===== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Piracy 27. Which of the following is a Federal crime called piracy? Downloading pirated music from the Internet Making copies of DVDs or VHS videotapes and giving to a friend. Making a copy of a CD you bought for an extra copy to use in your car. Purchasing a CD and then burning a copy for a friend Question number 27. Which of the following is a Federal crime called piracy?  A,B, and D are examples of piracy. Making an electronic copy of a song to share with a friend is just as serious as if you stole a CD from a music store. Technology makes it really easy, but it is still wrong. You might do it a thousand times and never get caught, but it is still illegal. ==== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Counterfeiting 28. Counterfeiting is a felony. An example is: Creating a $20 bill using a scanner and printer Creating a fake ID and then posing as this individual Creating tickets to gain access to a concert Creating fake IDs for friends Question number 28. Counterfeiting is a felony. Which of these is an example of counterfeiting?  A,C ---- A. Is a federal felony C. Is a state felony B & D are not felonies, but are considered Fraudulent Identification. With modern technology it is too easy to counterfeit documents. In fact, you can make documents look better than the originals. Why is it illegal to counterfeit money? Whom does that impact? If a fake ID gets me into a club, who cares? ====== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Fraudulent Identification
29. If caught possessing a fake ID while trying to buy cigarettes or alcohol, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and lose your driver license for: 3 months 6 months 12 months 18 months Question number 29. If caught possessing a fake ID while trying to buy cigarettes or alcohol, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and lose your driver license for how long?  C If you use a fake ID with falsified information, it is a misdemeanor. But if you sell a fake ID, it is a felony. ===== Special Thanks to: Manning & Crouch, Attorneys at Law, Raleigh, NC Megan Kirkpatrick (Some questions may have more than one answer)

Whose head is spinning after all of this?
I hope you download this PowerPoint and use it with your youth. And download all three parts of the PowerPoint. This has just been a short version of all three. The future of our youth, as well a society as a whole, depends on them knowing not just right from wrong, but that there are consequences to their actions. Please share this with the parents, teachers, community members. Everyone. ===== photo

Get the PowerPoint  www.ncperkins.org
Before we conclude our presentation today , I will pause here to see if anyone has any questions. I have a few more slides. But first I want to know if you have any questions. Usually by this time most of the audience is overwhelmed and just need a break to digest what I’ve said. Remember that you can download the PowerPoint and use it however you can to help our youth. Don’t forget to evaluate this session. If you have a smart phone and are smart enough to use it, you can capture this QR code and do the evaluation on line. Do we have any questions? Questions ? Chris Droessler CTE Coordinator NC Community Colleges Get the PowerPoint  Get the PowerPoint 

The warning signs are not always this obvious.
Sometimes the cry for help is crumpled up, buried in a deep pocket. Most youth don’t even know they need help. ====== Help photo

NC Comprehensive Strategy
It would be really easy if there was a simple checklist, but we all know that is not possible. Working together, and learning from each other, we can take great strides to keeping our youth on the right path – heading towards their own personal victory. Turning them all -- into productive, contributing members of society. =======

Do they know you care? Do the youth, with whom you work, -- know that you care about their well being? They won’t care how much you know about anything -- until they know that you care about them as a person. And remember that -- all kids are normal. ======= Roosevelt quote

Somehow we have to get these youth from where they are -- to where they need to be.
It’s an awesome responsibility, -- but we are all awesome, caring people who care enough to help others. If we don’t give up on them, -- hopefully they wont give up on themselves. And our wonderful youth will take our great world -- and make it even better. ===

Get the PowerPoint  www.ncperkins.org
Thanks for listening Thanks for listening! Chris Droessler CTE Coordinator NC Community Colleges Get the PowerPoint  Get the PowerPoint 

Keeping our Youth Out of Trouble

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