An electronic newsletter from your friends at NYFS Preparing youth & families for healthy lives
www.nyfs.org	August 2007

Staff Receive Training to Assist Returning Veterans

With the recent return of Minnesota National Guard veterans of the Iraq war, many families are experiencing an adjustment period as loved ones reintegrate back into their daily lives. While this can be an intensely personal process, public and private organizations are lending a hand to make this transition as smooth as possible.

In an effort to prepare mental health professionals and other service providers for the special needs of returning vets, the Minnesota Social Services Association recently offered a training designed to give professionals the tools and information they need to help vets and their families make the transition. NYFS Mental Health Counselors Lucy Spina and Vicki Bailar-Holmin recently attended the training. Spina said it is important to remember that all returning vets can expect to experience some degree of difficulty returning to “normal” civilian life. She adds that while all returning veterans are required to attend reintegration training, these events are not always sufficient for all veterans and their families.

The long separation can be difficult on marriages and families, especially if the loved one returns home with physical or psychological injury due to the war. Problems can include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, substance abuse, depression and marital or family instability. Often, problems don’t surface until weeks or months after returning home. Veterans experiencing extreme distress are encouraged to seek help immediately by calling 911 or the Crisis Connection at 1-866-379-6363.

At NYFS, Spina and Bailar-Holmin will be available to provide long-term counseling services for returning vets and their families. NYFS accepts Tricare military insurance and offers services on a sliding-fee scale to those without insurance.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has also established LinkVet, a call center designed to provide information on veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education and reintegration. Help is available by dialing 1-888-LINKVET between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. All calls are referred to Crisis Connection after working hours.

While professional help is crucial, Spina says the general community can assist in veterans’ reintegration by voicing their support. “Be non-judgmental about your view of the war and recognize their sacrifice, effort and courage.”

For more information about counseling services for veterans at NYFS please call 651-486-3808.

Save the Date: A Taste of Northwest

You are cordially invited to “A Taste of Northwest: A Restaurant Extravaganza Benefitting Northwest Youth & Family Services” on Thursday September 27.

Come enjoy a selection of savory and sweet treats from local restaurants and caterers, complimentary sampling of an assortment of fine wines and a cash bar. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on fabulous silent auction items including fine wine, autographed sports memorabilia, themed gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates and much more. All guests will qualify for special door prizes.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N. in Shoreview. The cost is $25 in advance or $35 at the door.  This fundraising event will benefit youth and families served by NYFS. Seating is limited and advance reservations are recommended. To make reservations please call 651-379-3422 or email sandra@nyfs.org.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Prevention is Key

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and while many adults seek treatment for addiction, their dependency too often began in adolescence.

According to the most recent Minnesota Student Survey published by the Minnesota Department of Education:

• 62% of 12th graders and 43% of 9th graders had used alcohol one or more times in the past year.
• 30% of 12th grade students had reported binge drinking in the last two weeks.
• 27% of 12th graders used marijuana in past year.

Early use of alcohol and drugs can set the stage for lifelong struggles with abuse and addiction.  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a person who starts drinking at age 15 is four times more likely to develop an alcohol dependence at some time in his or her life than someone who starts drinking at age 20.

NYFS Diversion Coordinator Tim Turner estimates that about 40% of youth he serves are referred to NYFS because they were involved with alcohol or drugs.

“Underage substance use always involves deception of authorities, usually beginning with parents,” Turner said. “What we see over and over is that these kids think through how, when and where they are going to use in advance and they are generally several steps ahead of their parents.”

Minor consumption of alcohol and drugs is linked to an increase in traffic accidents, behavioral problems at school, dropping out, declining grades, risky sexual practices, crime and developmental problems.

The best way to treat underage consumption of alcohol and drug abuse is to prevent it from happening. “While it is good to trust your child, trust is something that needs to be earned,” Turner said. The following is a short list of things parents can do to keep their children from experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

If your child is going to a party or staying overnight with a friend, check in with that parent just to confirm the details.  “This little thing alone would have prevented many, many of the cases we see,” says Turner.

Talk with your teen about curfew and drinking laws.  Assure them that kids are arrested regularly for both of these offenses.  “They will try to tell you they aren’t, especially for curfew – it just isn’t true,” he adds.

Ask questions and get to know new friends the best you can.  Substance use is rarely done alone and friends play a key role.  Parents have every right to know who their teen is ‘hanging out’ with.

Reaffirm with them that if they are EVER in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation that they can call you ANYTIME, regardless of what they have been involved with or what their condition is.  Turner adds that teens often compound the offense of drinking with putting themselves in dangerous situations because they are afraid to call their parents.

“Many parents tell us that they are glad their child got caught and are extremely grateful for the opportunity NYFS’ Diversion Program gives them to make things right, get some help and at the same time keep their child’s record clean,” Turner said.  “It is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

Teen Volunteers Support Senior Chore Program

For the third year in a row, teenage volunteers from across the country converged upon the Catholic Heart Work Camp in Hudson, Wisconsin and were sent out from there to offer their time and talents to programs in the Metro area.

For four days in June, about 25 volunteers split into four groups and helped the NYFS Senior Chore program. Community Services Manager Tim Gusk said they worked hard on tasks such as yard work, house cleaning, organizing two senior luncheons and distributing flyers. Several volunteers took on one senior’s home as a special case. The teens cleared out a client’s severely cluttered home and helped her host a garage sale to raise money for her personal expenses and bills.

While all of their work was appreciated, Catholic Work Camp Coordinator Mary McLaren said helping the senior chore client regain better use of her home was especially significant for the volunteers.

“By the end of their time there, they learned how difficult it is for some individuals to separate themselves from ‘things’ and grew to sympathize with the resident’s fear of losing those things. I think everyone learned a great lesson,” she said. “It is always a pleasure to work with your organization.”

Gusk is grateful for Catholic Work Camp’s continuing commitment to NYFS, “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Deluxe Volunteers Donate to Penny Pinchers

This summer, volunteers from Deluxe Corporation collected over 103 bags and boxes of gently used merchandise during their fourth annual Deluxe/Northwest Youth & Family Services Clothing Drive. All items were donated to NYFS’ Penny Pinchers Thrift Store in Mounds View.

Nicole VandeBerg, Senior Marketing Communications Operations Specialist at Deluxe, said the group is looking forward to helping out again next year. NYFS would like to thank everyone at Deluxe Corporation who made this event such a success.

Anyone interested in learning more about how to donate to Penny Pinchers can contact Waid at 651-379-3453.

Summer Camp for Local Youth

Over 25 NYFS staff and volunteers helped to provide a fun and safe day camp experience for 90 children living in manufactured home communities in our area.

“Many of the families who participate cannot afford a residential or more traditional type of day camp,” said Community Services Manager Tim Gusk. “Evaluations clearly point out that the parents are making very difficult choices about how to provide good quality recreational and educational experiences for their children.”

This year, camps were held at three sites: Townsedge Terrace (hosted at Messiah Lutheran Church) in Mounds View, Brookside in Shoreview and Lakeside in New Brighton. NYFS staff work with each child to develop assets that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Through participation in the traditional camp experience of field trips, crafts and group activities, campers develop positive relationships with adults and their peers. A special feature of the camp is the end of camp production. Through the five week session the youth plan and prepare a performance that is given for friends, family and the entire community. In addition to showcasing their singing, acting and dancing talents, the production helps them learn critical life skills including emotional intelligence, team work, conflict resolution, self-control and anger management.

The cost to attend the five-week camp session is $10. However, 25% of families are unable to cover the fee. NYFS covers the fee with scholarship money. This year the program was supported by grants from the McKnight Foundation, Tri-park Investments, Paster Enterprises, Inc. and individual donors. NYFS would like to thank all camp donors for their generous support.

Fall Mental Health Conferences

As part of our continuing mission to be a regional leader and educator in the field of social service, NYFS announces its schedule of fall mental health conferences. Therapists, social workers, nurses, clergy and human service professionals of all types are invited to attend one or both events.

On October 25, psychotherapist Rhonda McKillip will discuss “Dual Diagnoses in Adults and Adolescents: Understanding Them, Treating Them, Living With Them.” The conference will focus on how to improve outcomes for mental health clients experiencing co-occurring disorders.

On September 20, Georgi Kroupin, lead psychologist and head of the Mental Health Program at the Center for International Health, will discuss “New Americans: Understanding and Working With Their Unique Mental Health Needs.” Participants will learn to identify the major sources of stress experienced by immigrant populations and learn positive clinical strategies for working with immigrant families.

Both conferences will be held at the Radisson Hotel Roseville, 2540 N. Cleveland Ave. Continuing education certification will be offered. Registration is required. To register online, download the form at www.nyfs.org. Early registration $129 per conference. Late registration is $139 per conference. Group registration of four more persons together is $119 per person. For full details, please contact Judy Baldwin, Conference Coordinator at 651-379-3431.

Contact  Information

Main number: 651-486-3808
Fax: 651-486-3858
Penny Pinchers Thrift Store: 763-783-3626

Kay Andrews, Executive Director: 651-379-3401 kay@nyfs.org
Jerry Hromatka, Associate Director: 651-379-3404 jerry@nyfs.org
Fran Smith, Business Manager: 651-379-3402 fran@nyfs.org
Rachel Cain, Mental Health Services Manager:651-379-3403 rachel@nyfs.org
Jill Buckingham, NETS Manager: 651-379-3405 jill@nyfs.org
Tim Gusk, Community Services Manager: 651-379-3406 tim@nyfs.org

3490 Lexington Avenue North, Suite 205     Shoreview, MN 55126
Tel: 651-486-3808  -  Fax: 651-486-3858
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