School Linked Services – Laying the Foundation

When one thinks of the expression, “out with the old, in with the new,” there’s usually a history that leads up to “the new,” a foundation on which we continue to build and strengthen. As the School Linked Services (SLS) program comes to a close after 17 years, the Novato Youth Center (NYC) is working with the Novato Unified School District (NUSD) to maintain counseling and support services on school campuses for the upcoming school year. We are grateful to the Marin Community Foundation for funding this critical program.
 
NYC has worked hard over the years to pioneer the bridging of many county, foundation and nonprofit leaders to ensure the best possible services are available to Marin’s children and families, with delivery of services performed effectively and collaboratively.  In 1992, a county-wide SLS “Working Group” was formed, consisting of five district Superintendents and representatives from the Marin County Office of Education, Bay Area Community Resources, Marin County Heath and Human Services, the Marin Education Fund, Philliber Research Associates, the Novato Youth Center and the Marin Community Foundation.
 
This Working Group sought to understand the barriers students were facing in experiencing success in school, and tackled turf issues, miscommunications and differences among the various entities with patience and true grit. Working Group participants opened their minds, ears and hearts for the greater collective good of serving children and families. It became clear that understanding each agencies’ working cultures was vital in working together effectively.  
 
The major accomplishments of this group included transforming foreign concepts at the time to commonly implemented practices today, such as:

• Schools, community organizations and government supporting one another’s efforts, and collaborating where possible;
• Services reflecting the culture of the community, including bi-lingual services and access to subsidization for fees;
• Families supported during transitional times in their children’s lives, long term, and treated as an inclusive family unit;
• Understanding the vital importance the 0 to 5 years hold in a child and family’s life, and engaging parent involvement in the early years;
• School counselors and therapeutic counselors, working together, having a profound impact on a child’s chances for academic and emotional success and
• Leading to the eventual development of programs such Novato School Readiness, Kinder Academy and the Novato Wellness Center.

As the NYC moves into the future, we commend all of the individuals and organizations who have been involved in this monumental project, and now see that mountains truly can be moved. In particular, we would like to thank those who served the Novato community:

Marin Community Foundation SLS Consultants: Dani Tarry, David Hastings, and Frank Gorman

Novato Cluster Coordinators (in date order): Gaylen Raisler, Linda Frost, Barbara Williams, and Antonio Calvo
 
2008/09 NYC Case Coordinators and Family Advocates:
Silvia Albuja, Antonio Calvo, William Enriquez, Cande Perera Farina, Maria Romo, Pilar Stempel

2008/09 NYC Mental Health Counselors:
Antonio Calvo, Arianna Caplan, Mariana Caplan, Tamara Green, Victoria Herzog, Buffy Lundine, Sarah Mangion, Myriam Martinez, Ben Moltman, Jeanette Clay (Tutor)

Parenting Gets Easier Thanks to the NYC:

Following a recent Parent Project series, a parent who had participated in the program came to speak to the NYC Board of Directors about its impact on his family. He commented: "Parent Project showed me that other parents are struggling with the same issues, and it helped to hear how they were doing in applying what we were learning in the 10 week workshop. I feel I came away better prepared for the tough issues of adolescence.

When I came home from each Parent Project meeting, when my son would ask, 'Dad, are you doing your homework?' I would answer, 'I always do my homework because I want to be a better parent'."



Happy Ending - A Parent's Perspective:

"I want to tell you a happy-ending story about my daughter and the NYC. Eight-year old Megan is now a vivacious, happy child, often seen hugging Playcare teachers, but this picture was vastly different 18 months ago when Megan arrived frightened, lonely and depressed as a result of too many family crises. She had lost her father to divorce, and her grandmother to an untimely death.......the beloved woman who cared for her everyday after school.

"During her first week in Playcare, Megan would choose to sit alone in a corner. She was angry, detached and untrusting. The Playcare and Counseling staff at NYC knew something had to be done to help Megan through this difficult grieving period.

"A counselor greeted her during the second week, and spent some time with her in one of the therapeautic play counseling rooms. Here, the counselor was able to learn about some of Megan's favorite memories of her grandmother, and of the activities they enjoyed daily.

"During her third week at the center, her Playcare teacher met her at the bus, took her by the hand and led her into the group, and began engaging her in rituals that were similar to those she had shared with her grandmother. As it turned out, all of the children in the group enjoyed these activities. When I picked Megan up that evening, she actually said she liked her teacher and had made a friend. I noticed a new energy about her. That energy grew slowly as my daughter began to trust and let people care about her. I felt us turning a corner.

"As time went on, Megan became more comfortable at the NYC, and eventually, her former silly self. The NYC has been the next best thing to her grandmother. They have given her the tools she needed to thrive again. I can't fully express my gratitude in this letter, but I wanted to share our happy ending."


A Candid Conversation with one of Our Moms:

Barbara is the mother of three who has found a haven at the Novato Youth Center, while facing major challenges.

NYC- What made you decide to come to our center?
"My husband is in and out of my life, my oldest child suffered a life threatening injury a year and a half ago, and symptoms and medical bills continue to build. I'm currently unemployed, and want to better my life and the lives of my children by becoming financially self-sufficient. I know you're not an employment center, but the Novato Human Needs Center told me you could help with childcare."

NYC-What sort help did you find?
"A Godsend. Each of my three children are in a great childcare program that caters to their age group. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but it's the only stability and structure they have in their lives, other than school. We have moved someplace different at least once a year, and were homeless for 8 months. It's not just the structure either. The teachers really nurture my kids, they've become very attached to this place."

NYC-What's the next step?
I've already taken it. I applied for government funding and received a loan and am attending a Medical Assistant Program, and I'm getting all A's and B's. I go in extra early to use their computers for my homework, because we don't have one at home. Now the next step is to find a job. I'm also trying to stabilize my housing situation here in Novato so we can stay put."

NYC-What keeps you so motivated?
"The fact that there are people here who believe in me and are willing to help me through a tough time motivates me. I hope to be able to return the favor one day, once I get on my own two feet."

NYC-How are your children doing?
"As well as can be expected, maybe even better. My older son has also been able to participate in counseling and tutoring services, and my daughter is getting tutored as well. This place has made it possible for them to relax and just be kids. And Christmas was amazing. The toys that the Rotary and Fire Department provided made our Christmas. Without them, there wasn't going to be a visit from Santa."

NYC-Looking into your future, what do you see?
"God has a plan for me, I just don't know what it is yet! In the meantime, I see myself completing school and getting a job that supports myself, and three kids, without always feeling on the edge. A more stable, reliable home life is what I see, and I can hardly wait. It will take me a while to get there, which is why I'm so blessed to have the NYC along the way."


One Mom's Story:

"My name is Michelle. A year ago, my baby Lisa and I were in the midst of a crisis. I knew it was time to move from an alcoholic and abusive husband, but I felt frightened about my ability to provide for us on my own. I came to the NYC with my dilemma: How would I be able to work fulltime to meet expenses and yet know that Lisa was getting the care she needed.

"It was a scary time for us. While we were in transition, I was able to enroll Lisa in the Center's Babycare program on a scholarship, allowing me to work during the day. Although my baby initially exhibited signs of the trauma she had been exposed to in our former situation, within months she had closely bonded with her caregiver and was thriving in her new safe environment. This was a huge relief and allowed me to put my life together.

"Lisa is now a loving two year old in the Center's Toddlercare program. I have moved into a better work position and feel grateful to the Center for its vital support. I now can give my daughter the upbringing she deserves. Once we felt isolated; now we are part of a community."