Youth Development Services offers counseling and social development programs through selected schools and community organizations. We help children improve their social skills by clarifying values, promoting positive self-images, and teaching communication, coping, decision-making and problem-solving skills. Our specialists also help with home and school behavioral difficulties, involving parents and teachers in developing appropriate strategies for improvement and sharing information and resources.

YDS programs are currently provided in 18 schools - 11 in the Penn-Harris-Madison school district, 7 in the School City of Mishawaka elementary schools. Youth Development Specialists, assigned to select schools, work with the principal, teachers, and other appropriate staff to identify children in need of services, then assess what form of intervention will be the most appropriate and effective. Services can include some or all of the following:

Individual counseling - addresses issues such as low self-image, home and school misbehaviors, sibling, parent and peer relationships. Specialists involve teachers, parents, and other appropriate professionals to accurately assess and plan strategies for positive change.

Social Development Groups - small group sessions focus on developing acceptable social behaviors and promoting appropriate coping techniques. Topics such as improving communication skills, taking responsibility, handling emotions, increasing self-esteem, coping with divorce and death can be addressed based on the needs of the group.

Classroom programs - based on the particular need and/or teacher or principal request, classroom programs can be a single session or a series of sessions focusing on a variety of skills building topics, including peaceful conflict resolution, peer relationships, accepting others, etc. A six to eight session program presented to first and second grade classrooms, called Basic Social Learning, combines creative activities with discussion to teach basic social skills and to promote the importance of self-worth.

Support Services - Specialists are available to: participate in school conferences, maintain telephone contact and meet with parents, provide referral assistance and information to families concerning community resources, participate in in-service trainings for building staff and parents, act as a consultant and resource person for principal and teachers.

Requests for services can be initiated by the principal, teachers, parents, and by children. For individual and small group counseling, parental permission is required, with parental participation encouraged. Specialists provide services during the school day (working with teachers to minimize academic disruptions) at no cost to families.

DISCOVER Program - providing services to school-aged children in daycare, community centers, summer school programs, and for residents at Safe Station.

Group programs are conducted in a series of sessions focusing on a variety of skills building topics, including peaceful conflict resolution, peer relationships, accepting others, improving communication skills, taking responsibility, handling emotions, increasing self-esteem, etc.

For more information regarding the Youth Development Services Program, Contact Bill Monahan, Program Director, at 235-5517.

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