Hello Avner and those who have responded with terrific ideas. Birgitt wrote:
We then linked the youth up with professionals and services that could best help them with this specialty area. We referred youth to the 12 step programs including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, both of which as you probably know have a good chance of really being helpful with addictions. The OST meetings were 1. a gateway to development of the will on the part of some youth to make changes and 2. provided guidance to professionals and to the youth themselves of different ways of support. And Thomas suggested inviting some of the groups to the OST, and Chris gave an example of having people in the room. As another example, in Alaska, a young man (17 years old) posted a topic on teen suicide, and because the stakeholders were in the room and attended the meeting, Derek received specific assistance from them on the spot -- people from the Department of Education, counselors, and so on. Chris, Michael and I were also pleasantly surprised as the Youth Court is for the most part run by Youth. In another OST on multi-cultural issues and racism in schools here in Canada, youth wrote the invitation and invited various stakeholders, decision-makers, and press along with youth -- very inspiring and those attending went on to hold decision makers accountable. So by inviting some of those you might consider linking to the OST, youth themselves can make the link. As Harrison says, one less thing for you to do! Judi Judith Richardson, M.A. www.ponoconsultants.com www.emergentfeminine.com Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (902) 434-6695 * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
