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Family Victories from Youth Villages Oregon
2 Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon
A message from our director
We are very excited to share good news — the results are in
and we are changing lives for children and families through-
out Oregon!
To be honest, when we began our work to transform the
trajectory of the lives of children and families throughout
Oregon in 2011, we had no idea how hard this work would be.
Yet now that we are seeing the results, we know it was worth
the effort in every way.
And our work has just begun — not only are we serving
twice as many families at a lower-per-family cost with improved outcomes, but we
also have expanded to serve all youth, whether their paths have taken them to
the child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice systems of care. For us, it is and
always has been about the special challenges any child faces in finding permanency
and life success, and addressing those challenges with whatever it takes.
As I look at our evolution over the past decade, it is amazing to realize the prog-
ress that has been made. Due to our unique focus and 20 years of experience mea-
suring outcomes and performance, we know our services make the critical differ-
ence. We follow up with all our youth at six, 12 and 24 months post discharge and our
success level is more than 80%. Of course, this is a great organizational benchmark,
but what does it mean to Oregonians?
It means hope and promise. It means that in a state where 1 in every 2 children is
born on Medicaid, there are solutions to ensure that education, family and treat-
ment goals are attained. It means that in a state where there are twice as many
youth in foster care as in other states our size, we have proven tools to make rapid
reductions in the number of youth without permanent families. It means tight public
resources can be deployed for services that are proven effective. And most impor-
tantly, it means Oregon kids can reach their full potential instead of running the
gauntlet of services and interventions.
I have a New Year’s resolution and I need your help to achieve it: please join me
in seeing transformation. Come see our upgraded facilities — the Clark Youth and
Family Services Center, our Clackamas River Campus or one of our classrooms. Or
join us for a ridealong to see Intercept intensive in-home services in action. I guar-
antee you will be transformed by the experience and inspired by the results. I look
forward to your call.
Read on — I know you will enjoy this issue of our newsletter. And thank you for
your past, present and future support. We have only just begun and are propelled by
the success of thousands of youth and families throughout Oregon.
Beth Berselli
Bethany Bounds
Scott Bruun
Nick Ehlen*
Alistair Firmin
Fred Granum
Joanne Horstkotte
Jodie Hueske
Steve Hull
Carole Kinnune
Krina Lee
Charles McGee
Megan Murphy
Kevin O’Boyle
H. Patterson “Pat” Ritz*
Sharr Stark
Scotland Thede*
Claudia Valderrama
Dale Walker
* also members of Youth
Villages’ national
board of directors
Lynne Saxton
Executive Director of Oregon
503-675-2207
Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon 3
The graph above represents the status of Oregon youth at six months after discharge through Dec. 2012. Figures include only youth receiving Intercept in-home services, a new and expanding program in the Oregon area, for at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 65 percent. All youth are followed for two years after discharge.
StatusAt one-year follow-upAt one year follow up
0
20
40
60
80
100
72%
84%88%
At home w
ith family
No involvem
entw
ith the law
88%
In school or graduated
*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.
Program Success
Adam Becenti, an enrolled mem-
ber of the Navajo Nation, has been
named tribal liaison/cultural coor-
dinator for the Cedar Bough Native
American program at Youth Villages
Oregon.
The program offers culturally
responsive residential treatment for
Native American youth and other
young people who can benefit
from a strong cultural and spiri-
tual program.
In his position, Becenti helps
Native American youth connect
or reconnect to their cultural
and spiritual heritage in the
program. He also works with
the program’s Native American
Advisory Council led by Dr. John
Spence.
From the clan of Red Running
Into the Water, Becenti grew
up on the border of the Navajo
Tribal Nation in Gallup, N.M.
“Growing up, my grandfather taught me traditional Na-
vajo culture and practice, giving me a strong foundation,”
Becenti said. “I’m proud to be helping Native children
and youth in this program and will be meeting with tribal
leaders throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest to
learn more about their needs and expectations for our
services.”
Becenti has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and eth-
nic studies from the University of Colorado and a mas-
ter’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on educa-
tion policy from the University of Michigan.
He worked to recruit and retain Native American
students for the University of Colorado and has diverse
experience in Native American programs including Col-
lege Horizons, United National Indian Tribal Youth and
the Patty Iron Cloud National Native American Youth
Initiative.
Youth Villages Oregon celebrated the second anniversary of the merger between Youth Villages and ChristieCare with a special luncheon outside Christie School. In the above photo, Christie School chefs Karen LaVallee, left, and Paula Wilde, pose for a photo.
Becenti
“Growing up, my
grandfather taught me traditional
Navajo culture and
practice, giving me a strong
foundation.”
4 Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon
Youth Villages Oregon staff got together and posed before participat-ing in the Portland Bridge Pedal bike ride to benefit children’s health care in the Portland area.
A Microsoft grant of more
than $7.4 million in software
and technology to Youth
Villages is powering a new
electronic medical records
system for staff who provide
intensive in-home, residen-
tial and transitional services
in Oregon.
The grant, a part of Micro-
soft’s YouthSpark initiative,
also will enhance Youth Vil-
lages Oregon’s internal and
external communications
systems.
“We’re pleased to have
Microsoft as one of our most
important partners,” said
Lynne Saxton, executive
director of Youth Villages
Oregon. “This grant allows
us to support our staff with
modern clinical records and
office technology, enabling
them to do their best work
for children with emotional
and behavioral problems
and their families.”
Counselors and staff who
work in Youth Villages Ore-
gon’s Intercept intensive in-
home services program and
on the Christie and Clacka-
mas campuses completed
training and recently began
using Netsmart’s Evolv-CS
web-based electronic health
record software system.
The grant from Microsoft
has allowed infrastructure,
server and workstation en-
hancements, bringing more
access and efficiency to the
new system.
Youth Villages Oregon
staff members use the
health record system to
perform critical functions
each day, such as accessing
medical records, document-
ing treatment plans and
reporting to parents and
referral partners.
The grant will also allow
an upgrade of Youth Vil-
lages Oregon’s Microsoft
Sharepoint internal com-
munications intranet.
Across Youth Villages, the
grant will be used to up-
grade technology services
provided to children and
youth being helped on resi-
dential campuses. Young
adults in the Youth Villages
transitional living program
use computers powered
by Microsoft to study for
their GED, apply for col-
leges, prepare resumes and
search and apply for their
first jobs.
Microsoft YouthSpark is a
global initiative committed
to creating opportunities for
300 million youth in more
than 100 countries over the
next three years. This com-
panywide initiative includes
company programs that
empower youth to imagine
and realize their full poten-
tial by connecting them with
greater opportunities for
education, employment and
entrepreneurship.
“Through YouthSpark,
we’ve made a commitment
to provide opportunities for
youth to succeed in today’s
competitive marketplace,”
said Marietta Davis, gen-
eral manager of Microsoft’s
Greater Southeast District.
“The Youth Villages grant
will give at-risk youth the
technology and training
critical to success in the
technology economy. I’ve
been so impressed with the
organization that I joined its
national board of directors.”
The Microsoft grant allows Youth Villages to upgrade its technology ser-vices to children and youth being helped on residential campuses.
YV colleagues participate in Bridge Pedal event
Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon 5
From time to time, people come
along who defy convention.
Chad is one of those.
Physically imposing at more than
6 feet 5 inches, he’s more aptly de-
scribed with such words as gentle,
soft-spoken and thoughtful.
But growing up, his size and his
history followed him from state place-
ment to state placement. Many times,
he was handled more roughly or
severely because of his size.
Chad was very young when he suf-
fered a family tragedy and was taken
from his home. He then went through
myriad foster homes and state facili-
ties before landing in a good foster
home in the Portland area. He spent
a year there and at 17, he left foster
care to participate in Youth Villages
Oregon’s Mosaic program.
Now 23, Chad will soon move to a
new town to reunite with his older
brother and be close to another adult
who supports him.
“The Mosaic program was very im-
portant for me,” Chad said. “It helped
me learn and grow.”
And that’s not all. Chad had basic in-
securities and behavior issues because
of his traumatic past. On top of that, he
was obstinate, and didn’t like being told
what to do. When he entered Mosaic,
he learned basic life skills, how to be
more self-sufficient and how to make
good choices on his own. Program
Manager Rachel Johnson supported
Chad during his five years in the pro-
gram.
“Trust was the big issue during his
first year,” Rachel said. “He had some
rough moments, but he saw we were
a support for him and not there to
dictate what he did.”
And that’s the big difference be-
tween state services for children and
adults, Rachel said. As a child, your
path is highly monitored and account-
ed for.
“In the adult system, if you don’t
want to engage in treatment, you don’t
have to,” Rachel said. “As an adult, you
have to make the appointments and
then get to the appointments. If you’ve
never done that before, it can be a
struggle the first few times.”
“I went from having no control over
what I did to being given the reins to
my everyday life,” Chad said. “At first
it kind of threw me for a loop.”
Chad looked for a job. He managed
a budget and bought food for himself,
preparing his own meals and washing
his clothes. Chad found work as a prep
cook and also as a peer support opera-
tor. He made mistakes, but Mosaic
staff were there for support.
“It has been rough at times,” Chad
said. “But when challenging situations
arise, I reflect on what I learned at Mo-
saic and it helps.”
For many, the Mosaic program offers
them an opportunity to interact in the
adult world outside of the clinical or
system setting.
“They have to decide what their
goals are,” Rachel said. “Our big focus
is getting to know the youth and build
trust. Once they decide what their
goals are, we offer support to help
them achieve their goals.”
Chad wants to work for himself. He
enjoys fishing, and said he’d like to tie
his own fly-fishing flies. But he saved
his highest praise for the Mosaic pro-
gram and staff.
“If I hadn’t gone there, I would
probably be in some state facility
unaware and unable to take care of
myself,” Chad said. “It’s easy, but you
have to work at it. You have to take
advantage of the program and get the
most out of it.”
Chad overcomes difficult past and plans for future
success
Youth Villages Oregon’s Mosaic group home program in Oregon City helps young adults ages 17-24 who are transitioning from the children’s mental health system and
need ongoing, intensive mental health treatment. The Mosaic staff helps residents build independent living skills and develop educational and employment plans.
Chad outside Christie School
6 Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon
The Lake Oswego chapter of the National Charity League helped Youth Villages Oregon get into the Halloween spirit by decorating the Christie Campus. The National Charity League is a mother-daughter philanthropic organization that seeks to change lives by inspiring and empowering women to succeed as confident, well-round-ed and socially aware contributors in their communities. The Lake Oswego chapter has partnered with Youth Villages Oregon for the past five years, planning activities for the children in Youth Villages’ programs, decorating the campus during holidays, serving at special events and donating hygiene packets and art supplies. Kids and staff also celebrated Halloween with a trick-or-treating party at Youth Villages Oregon’s new Clark Youth and Family Services Center.
More than $68,000 was raised to ben-
efit children in Youth Villages Oregon
programs at the 10th Annual YV Or-
egon Cup Pro Am golf tournament at
Columbia Edgewater Country Club in
Portland.
Eighty golfers from across Oregon
and Washington competed in the YV
Oregon Cup, the only pro am golf tour-
nament sponsored by the Oregon PGA
benefitting a nonprofit organization.
Above, the winning team members pose with Youth Villages Oregon Executive Director Lynne Saxton, including professional golfer Mark Keating of Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro, Mike Graham of Gearhart, Peter Roscoe of Astoria, John Pyle of Portland and Richie Schroder of Portland.
At left, overall professional winner Tim Hval of Portland Golf Club with Saxton.
Winter 2014 New Heights Oregon 7
Stand tall for Amer-
ica’s most vulnerable
children in these fabu-
lous shoes.
The online retailer
Milk & Honey Shoes
has teamed with five
generous celebrities
to offer Youth Villages’
supporters an excit-
ing new way to help
children.
Kristin Chenoweth,
Kimberly Williams-
Paisley, CariDee Eng-
lish, Ashley Williams
and Kayla Farhang
have designed shoes
for Milk & Honey, an
online custom shoe
retailer, to benefit the
children being helped
by Youth Villages.
When you purchase a
pair of these specially
designed shoes, 100
percent of the pro-
ceeds benefit Youth
Villages. Visit www.mil-kandhoneyshoes.com
and choose your shoes
today for an easy and
stylish way to help the
kids who need it most.
The following donors made
gifts of $1,000 or more to Youth
Villages Oregon between
July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.
The board of directors and
staff of Youth Villages Oregon
gratefully acknowledge these
thoughtful contributions.
If you made a contribution
during this time and it is not
listed, please call the Youth
Villages Development Depart-
ment, 503-675-2206.
Thank you
Whether you’re planning such a
gift as writing a will or setting up a
trust for Youth Villages, we have a
portion of our website devoted to
donations and planned giving.
It contains information that may
be valuable to you. Simply go to
youthvillages.org/plannedgiving
and you’re there. You will find an
introduction to planned giving and a category titled
“How Can I ...,” which lists all the vehicles included in
a plan, including wills and bequests, gifts of appreci-
ated stock or gifts of real estate. In addition, there is a
section on “why do I need a will,” a glossary of terms,
an estate intention form and much more. For informa-
tion, please contact Steve Benskin at 901-251-4820 or
e-mail [email protected].
Thinking of a planned gift?
Steve Benskin Betsy Stark Miller
Your
support
can have
a direct
impact on
the future
of the chil-
dren we
help every
day in Oregon.
Please call or e-mail
Youth Villages to find out
how to help.
Betsy Stark [email protected]
503-675-2206
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 503-675-2206 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
New Heights Oregon is published by Youth VillagesManaging Editor: Betsy Miller
Associate Editor: Chris Pennington