Annual Conference on Youth - Past Conferences

2003

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Grand Wayne Center 120 West Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne IN

Introduction:

From Risk to Resilience describes the challenge facing each of us as we serve children and their families in our community. When the conference was established in 1989 we treated “risks,” not children. Virtually every discipline labeled young people according to their problems instead of using terms to describe solutions. That was then….

Through introducing strength-based practices, through actualizing the 40 developmental assets for youth development, and through a deeper understanding of the affects of poverty, we’ve become a force that has improved the lives of children. We’ve grown from seeing only risks to understanding the hope in developing resiliency. Our community is healthier and stronger for the effort. By attending this conference you can gain the skills to join us in our mission to take all our children from Risk to Resilience.
— Judge Charles F. Pratt

Keynotes

Dave Pelzer - Author, A Child Called “It” The Real Heroes

In 1973 Dave Pelzer was identified as one of the most severely abused children in the State of California. In his presentation, The Real Heroes, Dave weaves the story of how his life was saved by teachers, a school nurse, the police department, social services and the foster care system. In this uplifting presentation, Dave pays tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in the life of a child.

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Bertice Berry, Ph.D. Healing the Village

No one has defied stereotypes, generalizations or clichés more than Dr. Bertice Berry. Growing up poor and the sixth of seven children, Bertice was told she would “never get very far.” Fortunately there was a teacher who believed she was destined for something more. She went to college, earned a Ph.D. in sociology and discovered she had a talent for teaching —and for humor. With twenty years of lecturing experience, Dr. Berry has touched the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. A former talk show host, teacher, author, and humorist, Ms. Berry will inspire us with her presentation, Healing the Village.

Workshops

All workshops are available in both Morning and Afternoon sessions.

Jan Arnow, Founder, Institute for Intercultural Understanding, Louisville, KY

Touring Our Children’s World

For two decades Jan Arnow has been conducting research and fieldwork on the environmental factors that influence children and their behavior. This workshop will take participants on a “virtual tour” of the community to see where kids encounter hateful or violent messages. Participants will learn workable solutions that help young people deal with their often-toxic environment.

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Nan Henderson, M.S.W., Resiliency in Action, San Diego, CA

Mentoring for Resilience

At its core, positive youth development depends on caring relationships between adults and children. The latest resiliency research shows how one-on-one relationships with specific qualities are the most powerful change agents. Participants will learn how to create these “turn around relationships” and will learn activities to use immediately to build “bounce back kids.”

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Shepherd Zeldin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison

Richard Hardel, Ph.D., Executive Director of Vision and Creative Ministries at the Youth and Family Institute, Bloomington, MN

PAAT is a tool for youth workers to compare the programs, activities and events they deliver against a set of research-based standards that reflect essential experiences and best practices in youth development. PAAT can be used for program planning and priority setting, volunteer training, and reporting to stakeholders. This workshop is a must for all youth workers!

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Gloria Vasquez, M.B.A., Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Resiliency: Helping Juveniles Recognize their Strengths to Change their Lives

 

Despite overwhelming adversity, many children manage to bounce back. What personal characteristics make this possible? Research identifies key characteristics of environments that foster resilience in children. In this workshop, participants will learn how to create powerful environments where all youth can flourish.

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Mindy Hightower-King, Ph.D., Indiana Center for Evaluation at Indiana University and Barbara Seitz de Martinez, Ph.D., Indiana Prevention Resource Center, Bloomington, IN

Show Me the Numbers! Using Local Data and Research to Build Your Case

Accurate data on youth and the local community can help determine needs, plan programs and bolster the case for funding. This session will take participants on-line and demonstrate how to access free data resources useful for gaining insights and enhancing programs. This workshop will also demonstrate how to use data in the most effective way.

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Phil DeVol, M.S.W., aha! Process, Inc., Marengo, OH

Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities (Part I)

Trauma and a lifestyle beset by problems within the home can slow down a youth’s emotional maturation and decision-making capacities, regardless of their actual age. This workshop will explore young adult brain chemistry in practical terms. Learn how many of the youth we serve feel emotions at twice the level of intensity as adults do, both joy and merriment, depression and sadness. Learn how staff can react effectively to youth who are emotionally upset, or make them more “stuck” in the problem. You will be amazed at how much you may have overlooked.

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Jessalyn Nash, M.A., Sebastopol, CA

Circles of Care — A Strengths-Based Process for Youth Development

Developing resilience is essential to a child’s positive development. For a youth experiencing stress or adversity, a Circle of Care made up of family, kin-like individuals and others in the community can be empowered to provide the developmental supports and opportunities he or she needs. This workshop will provide training to youth workers, probation officers, human service professionals and educators on developing and empowering a Circle of Care and how this process can be applied across disciplines and in many settings.

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Dave Pelzer, Author, Rancho Mirage, CA

Through the Eyes of a Child

This workshop is for those who work directly with children and youth living in dysfunctional environments. Dave Pelzer takes participants behind the scenes to examine adult-child relationship dynamics and identifies strength-based techniques for the professional to use to build a trusting relationship with the child.

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Shepherd Zeldin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison

Youth Leadership Through Community Engagement

Facilitating opportunities for young people to have meaningful roles in the community is a best practice in positive youth development, and engaging youth to address community issues is a leading edge approach to community building. Participants will receive tools and learn techniques for building the leadership capabilities of young people.

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Nan Henderson, M.S.W., Resiliency in Action, San Diego, CA

Circles of Care — A Strengths-Based Process for Youth Development

(Repeat of morning workshop)

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Gloria Vasquez, M.B.A., Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Resiliency: Helping Juveniles Recognize their Strengths to Change their Lives

(Repeat of morning workshop)

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Phil DeVol, M.S.W., aha! Process, Inc., Marengo, OH

Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities (Part II)

(Continuation of morning workshop)

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Jessalyn Nash, M.A. Sebastopol, CA

Creating and Sustaining Circles of Care — A Strengths-Based Process for Youth Development

(Repeat of morning workshop)