Your announcements, accomplishments, up-coming events or trainings are most welcome. Sorry, we do not publish fund raising events. Email to alex@hysn.org by the 25th of the month prior to publication.
FROM JUDITH’S DESK
Hawaii Youth Services Network has just completed a 30-second PSA that encourages parents and schools to work together to educate youth about sexual health. It features young people asking questions, such as “Can you get pregnant from having oral sex?”
One station has declined to air the PSA as it might be too controversial. (Parents might get upset and complain).
The station was concerned that children who watched the PSA would go to their parents and ask questions about sex. And that, of course, is exactly what we hoped would happen when youth and their families view the PSA.
Why? Because when young people can to discuss sexual health questions with a trusted adult, it is a huge protective factor to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
In a survey of parents of teenagers conducted in Honolulu, 99% of parents stated that it was important to talk to their children about sex. But only half of them had actually done it.
May is teen pregnancy prevention month. It’s time to talk with your children – or the youth with whom you work – to give them the knowledge, skills, and resources to make safe and responsible decisions about their sexual health.
RESOURCES
THROUGH OUR EYES: CHILDREN, VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA
Too many of our Nation’s children experience violence and trauma every day–in their homes, schools, and communities. Trauma left unaddressed can have serious consequences for children and youth as they grow up. In commemoration of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Office for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce the release of the next four videos in the Through Our Eyes: Children, Violence, and Trauma series.
This series now includes eight videos, accompanying resource guides, and public awareness posters–the most recent videos highlight intervention in schools, innovations in juvenile justice, addressing violence in the home, and a call to action on how you can help a child in need. Together, the materials in the Through Our Eyes campaign reinforce four key messages:
- Children’s exposure to violence and victimization is significant.
- These experiences can leave lasting effects.
- Everyone has a role.
Through your work, whether it is as a school teacher or as a member of a faith-based organization, you may encounter a child who is exposed to violence, and you have a role in helping that child. Watch the videos in this series and read the associated resource guides to better understand how children are affected by violence and trauma. We encourage you to connect with a child-serving professional and learn how to protect and help child victims of violence and trauma. You can make a difference in the life of a child.
NEW BULLYING AND SUICIDE RESOURCE FROM CDC
The CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention has released The Relationship between Bullying and Suicide: What We Know and What
it Means for Schools. The resource describes:
- The most current research findings about the relationship between bullying and suicide among school-aged youth; and
- Evidence-based suggestions to prevent and control bullying and suicide-related behavior in schools.
This document summarizes the latest research on the relationship between bullying and suicide-related behavior and suggests school-based strategies to prevent and control bullying and suicide-related behavior. Included are relevant research findings reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health’s July 2013 Supplement,
“Bullying and Suicide: A Public Health Approach.”
More Information
- CDC: Featured Topic: Bullying Research
- CDC: Suicide Prevention
- Stopbullying.gov
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SURVEY
The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Crime Prevention & Justice Assistance Division (CPJAD) is requesting your assistance by completing a brief survey, which will help us gather information towards a four year strategic plan for funding criminal justice programs in Hawaii. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and will cover the seven purpose areas of the Byrne JAG grant.
Please complete the survey by May 19, 2014.
CPJAD is the administering agency for State portion of the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. To develop the State strategy, CPJAD reviews current data and information, and obtains input from criminal justice professionals and other interested parties across the State about criminal justice program needs.
Please share this link with your professional partners so that we may have range of responses from criminal justice stakeholders. Below is the link to the survey. If you have any questions about the survey please contact Jennifer Cullen at (808) 586-1389 or Jennifer.M.Cullen@hawaii.gov.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/23W6SRK
BENEFITS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN AND RESOURCE CAREGIVERS
We are excited to report that the Hawai`i State Budget passed April 29th includes over $8,000,000 for a much needed foster care payment increase! A big thanks to our state legislators and to the Department of Human Services (DHS).
DHS developed a new methodology to calculate the rates and requested funds for this increase. The new foster care board payment is determined by the age of the child:
- 0-5 years $576
- 6-11 years $650
- 12 years + $676
The increase will take effect July 1, 2014. Resource caregivers will see the change in the check received in August, as the foster board payment is for care provided in the prior month.
MAHALO NUI LOA to all who helped bring this much needed support to our Resource Families!
REVENGE PORN BILL AWAITING GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE
The House and Senate passed HB 1750 which makes posting photos of people nude or engaged in sexual activity without their permission a violation of privacy, punishable as a felony.
People who are voluntarily nude or engaging in sexual activity in public are not included in the measure.
The target is people who post “revenge porn” – pictures or video intending to harm those depicted, ruining their career, reputation or relationships. Prosecutors on Oahu, Maui and Kauai supported the measure. The law received support with national reports chronicling victims of revenge porn committing suicide. That was something Rep. John Mizuno didn’t want to happen in Hawaii.
The bill is now on Governor Neil Abercrombie’s desk awaiting his approval.
TRAINING
SURVIVING AND THRIVING: AN ACTION WORKSHOP SERIES FOR NONPROFIT EXECUTIVES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Friday, May 16, 2014
8:30am – 12:00pm
The Surviving and Thriving Series is sponsored by the University of Hawaii Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Distance Education Program, National Association of Social Workers Hawaii Chapter, Kela Associates, and SAS Services LLC. This series is designed to equip your nonprofit agency with new ideas, tools, resources, and strategies to Survive and Thrive in this new environment.
Workshop #4 will be held on Friday, May 16 from 8:30am – 12:00pm and will focus on Increasing Your Organizational Impact, Furthering Your Mission, and Expanding Your Reach. The workshop is free to the first five people to register and $50.00 for all other attendees. For more information please refer to the – workshop flyer. Register Here: https://thrivinginhawaii4.eventbrite.com
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sharon Simms at (808)387-6040 or sharon@sasserviceshawaii.com
THE CA PTC GOES LIVE WITH SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HIV ONLINE
This one hour course is based on the popular 2-day instructor-led training. It provides learners with an overview of social determinants and their role in HIV treatment and prevention. The course is interactive and uses videos and scenarios to illustrate key concepts.
The course is free and designed for a variety of providers. Continuing education credits are available (BBS, CHES, and CADAAC). You may register by clicking here. Check out other online courses by clicking here and see other online resources at our website www.stdhivtraining.org.
MAKE THE CONNECTION: HOW POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFERS PROMISE FOR TEEN HEALTH & TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION
Webcast
Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 2-3 p.m. EDST
May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. In observance, the HHS Office of Adolescent Health is hosting a live webcast on positive youth development.
We invite you to join us! Please register for the webcast here.
You’ll learn:
- What positive youth development is, and how it’s valuable for programs working with adolescents
- The research behind positive youth development, and what we know about its success in teen pregnancy prevention
- How community programs have been using positive youth development to benefit youth
- Future interventions using positive youth development, and the way forward for positive youth development research
Moderator:
Evelyn Kappeler
Director, Office of Adolescent Health, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Panel:
Karen Pittman
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Forum for Youth Investment
Richard F. Catalano, Ph.D.
Bartley Dobb Professor for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Director, Social Development Research Group and Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington
Gina Wingood, Sc.D., M.P.H.
Professor, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Lisa Lauxman, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Youth and 4-H, Institute Youth, Family and Community
For more information on the Office of Adolescent Health, please visit website.
KUDOS
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION AWARDS
MAY 14, 2014
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
at the Ala Moana Hotel
Be a part of the celebration! Join the Mental Health Association in honoring our community’s outstanding mental health heroes:
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADER
Pua Kaninau-Santos’ son died by suicide in 2003 when he was 18. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the State Department of Health to develop suicide prevention programs and to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT LEADER
Lesley Slavin has been a state leader in working with girls who have experienced trauma and helping youth who “fall through the cracks” because they have both developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. She is Chief Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, Department of Health.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER
Times Supermarket has taken leadership in hiring people with severe mental illness as “Courtesy Clerks” at several of their stores, thus giving these individuals an opportunity to gain the hope and self-confidence that are so vital to their recovery.
OUTSTANDING CONSUMER ADVOCATE
Scott Wall has bipolar disorder; he has been hospitalized innumerable times and lived in homeless shelters for extensive periods. For the past five years, Scott has been an articulate advocate at the legislature to improve services to people with mental illness or housing problems.
OUTSTANDING YOUTH CONSUMER ADVOCATE
Krystalynn Kado has struggled with bullying, depression and self-harm and has had to cope with the tragic suicide of a close family member. She now is a model for others by speaking out about her own experiences. She currently works in the PACT Hana Like Home Visiting Program.
OUTSTANDING FAMILY ADVOCATES
Kawika and Laurie Kahiapo are models and leaders in the autism movement. In facing and overcoming the hurdles of raising a child on the autism spectrum who is now 23 years old, they have forged a path to increase understanding, education and resources for families.