What's happening?
Rockland YLAT Goes Rowing!
On August 10th four youth from the Rockland YLAT ventured out with Muriel Curtis of Station Maine (check out her website) for a rowing adventure. The weather wasn’t the most cooperative but the group toughed out the rain and enjoyed rowing along the Rockland Coast. The rowing was no easy task but the group learned the rowing techniques, how to work together, and conquered the water with smiles!
This year's Teen Conference was a great success and a lot fun! Click HERE to read an article about the conference published in the Bangor Daily News, or click HERE to view some photos from the event.
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of one of our "family members," Janice Brown, a longtime caseworker for the Office of Child and Family Services, who died tragically in a car accident on May 23, 2011. Janice worked out of the Rockland office and she had a profound and positive impact on many families in the course of her work and helped so many Maine children find love and happiness in a permanent home.
OCFS and the foster families hosted a celebration of Janice's life on June 14, 2011 at the Rockland DHHS office. If you are on Facebook, you can learn more or post on: In Loving Memory of Janice Brown - Gone but Not Forgotten.
Maine Youth Transition Collaborative Dinner
On April 26 2011, twenty-six youth and adult partners gathered for dinner atthe Senator Inn in Augusta to honor two young people who have been active members of the Maine Youth Transition Collaborative: Gary Houtsma and Dianna Walters. Gary, whose life ended tragically in February, was remembered through stories and pictures as a strong advocate for youth in care. Dianna has helped youth in care in many ways: as a Camp to Belong counselor, a youth researcher, and a leader in Maine's permanency efforts. She was presented with a plaque from the Office of Child & Family Services. In May 2011, Dianna will begin working for the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative in St. Louis focusing on national policy issues for older youth in care. Over the coming year, she will complete her Master's at the Muskie School of Public Service. Click HERE to check out some photos from the event.
Youth from Maine's YLAT and Youth MOVE Maine have partnered with DHHS to create "Making a Choice: A guide to making a decision about using antipsychotic medication." This guidebook will help young people to know how to work with supports, get information and really participate in this important decision. Check it out!
The online Family Team Meeting tool is ready for you!
Using the Family Team Meeting online tool is a great way to prepare for your family team meetings. Click HERE to get started! Many thanks to the team at THRIVE who helped YLAT youth create this resource.
Archive:
2010
Click HERE for What's happening? stories from 2010