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"A community committed to youth so youth can be committed to the community"

The AYTF recognizes the inherent capabilities of the community to provide service and support to youth. The AYTF will strive to facilitate open communication and develop ways to empower the community to identify issues and create solutions.

Volume 1, Issue 3 Printed Courtesy of Poor Richard's Press May 2001

THIS ISSUE IS SPONSORED BY

GENE BARRE CONSTRUCTION

Specializing in remodeling and damage repair

CALL 434-1700

LOVE AND SUPPORT THE HEARTBEAT OF HEALTHY FAMILIES

LOVE AND SUPPORT. It sounds easy. We know we do it. Everyone does it. Right? But giving your child consistent love and support can be tricky. How often does your child feel supported when you come home from an exhausting day and he or she wants to talk - but you want a break? What about when your struggling with a difficult personal issue and your child wants all of your attention?

Young people know our body language. They listen to what we say - and don't say. They notice when our words and actions don't match. Supporting and loving our children refer to the many ways we affirm, love, and accept them, both verbal and nonverbal. When we hug them or say "I love you" the expression is obvious. Paying attention to them listening to them, and taking an interest in what they're doing is obvious ways of giving support, but they're just as important.

The next time you're exhausted, say so. If your mad be honest. If you don't tell your child what you're feeling he or she will read one message from your body and hear the opposite. Children usually interpret inconsistent messages as meaning they have done something wrong.

Be consistent. Be loving. Develop an openness so that your child always knows that you're available and you'll love her or him - no matter what.

TIME TOGETHER:

3 WAYS TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR CHILD.

1. Have a family fun night. Together decide what to do.

2. Spend one hour a week with each child alone. Take a walk, go out for dinner, or just hang out together.

3. Find out one area where your child is struggling. Listen to your child's concerns. Help your child think of ways to address the problem

OUR MARCH STAR

RICK MATHEWS for outstanding contributions to the Atascadero Youth, the community and the Task Force. Rick's most recent endeavor has been the development of a Video involving youth and the 40 developmental asset program. In this effort he had organized and conducted two public forums where youth were given the opportunity to speak out on issues regarding their relationships with adults. You really want to hear what these kids had to say. Rick is no new comer to community and youth services. He has served on the Task Force, the Atascadero Recreation Center Committee, Atascadero Native Tree Assn, worked on the creation of the skate park, landscaping the lake pavilion and coordinated efforts to landscape Palomoa Creek Park. Rick has coached youth basketball, hosted a jazz program on public radio, and operates a business "MADRONE LANDSCAPING". With all of this Rick and his wife Valeen have raised two children, Lisa and Cole. Rick is a role model for adults and youth alike and we are proud to have him as an associate.

ASSET THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH

• Loving touch means a lot. Hug. Put your arm around your child. Comb your child's hair.

• Use loving words. Try: "I care about you." I love you." "I think you're terrific." "You're great."

• Be loving in your interactions. Look your child in the eyes when you talk with her or him.

• Be loving toward yourself. Children learn how to love by seeing how their parent(s) act.

CHILDREN ARE NEVER TO OLD TO HEAR

I LOVE YOU!

CHILDREN'S SERVICES NETWORK

The County Board of Supervisors formed the CSN in 1992 to:

• improve communication, planning, coordination, and cooperation among the agencies serving children and youth.

• provide a forum for clarifying perceptions and expectations among agencies and the community.

• set priorities for interagency projects.

• implement collaborative programs, both public and private.

CSN projects include:

• SAFE SOC (Services affirming family empowerment system of care), a new way of doing business that integrates a

continuum of services from multiple agencies into local communities for increased family access and efficiency.

Services are family centered, strength-based, community based, and solution oriented.

• ongoing collaboration and problem solving around Welfare Reform issues and mandates.

• Central Coast Conference on Children and Youth (each October)

• monthly newsletter and calendar of events and training.

• annual legislative platform.

The CSN has set five goals for children.

SAFE

HEALTHY

AT HOME

IN SCHOOL

OUT OF TROUBLE

You are invited to join in this effort and we encourage you to explore simple things you can do every day to help our children develop to the best they can be (Watch this letter for information and ideas and check out the WEB Page, particularly the Asset Development information.)

"A community committed to youth so youth can be committed to the community"

Volume 1, Issue 21 Printed Courtesy of Poor Richard's Press April 2001

THIS ISSUE IS SPONSORED BY

BEST WESTERN COLONY INN

3600 El Camino Real, Atascadero, Ca

(805) 466-4449 * Fax: (805) 466-2119

WHO AND WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY LINK

We can help - call us - 466-5465

The LINK is a project of the task Force, created in response to an extensive community survey. The survey indicated revealed as a high priority the need for help for youth and families experiencing difficulties such as divorce, parenting skills, and behavior problems.

The LINK was first organized with funds from a family preservation grant and set out to develop a list of health and social services available to the community. The initial list was completed and is updated on a regular basis. The LINK then embarked on connecting those in need of services to existing resources and when gaps were identified in developing or advocating for services to meet these needs. This task continues today. The list is now available on the WEB site. The LINK's current activities include grant writing, serving as a community representative on many collaborative and task forces, identifying gaps in services and developing new services, providing a physical location for delivery of services locally and providing the administrative support for the TASK FORCE. The LINK also serves as a member of the Atascadero Resource Team, the School Attendance Review Board, and the local Diversion Panel. In this capacity, the LINK provides connections to needed services, direct service subsidies when appropriate and collaborates with other agencies to meet the needs of youth and families in the community. Contact us by Phone: 466-5465, by FAX: 466-5343, by email: link@calinet.com and our web page atascaderoyouth.com. We can help!

PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

This partnership involves 16 partners including the City of Atascadero, the Atascadero School District, the High School Leadership Class, the County Public Health Department, the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, the Children Services Network, the County Department of Social Services. the County Mental Health Department, the North County Women's Resource Center, the Atascadero Police Department, the Department of Alcohol and Drug Services, the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, community members as well as the Atascadero Youth Task Force. This collaboration is built on the premise that communities and the public health departments will be better able to effect positive change in health and well being of the community and people who live in them by working in effective partnerships grounded on mutual understanding and shared resource. The Vision of the group is. " A community which cultivates its inherent capabilities to empower residents to create opportunities and resources to enhance their own health and well being " We need community representatives. Call us for more information at 466-5465.

ASSET THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH

• Learn the names of all the children and teenagers who live near you or who work in shops or community centers you frequent. Greet them by name.

• Build at least one sustained, caring relationship with a child or adolescent either informally or through a mentoring program.

• Take time to play or talk with young people who live near you or work around you.

• Support initiatives designed to create or expand opportunities for young people to participate in teams, clubs, and organizations.

• Get a copy of the 40 developmental assets and look at it at least once a week and commit to at least one asset building act everyday.

• Expect young people to behave responsibly. When they do not, tell them what you expect and how you would like them to act.

atascaderoyouth.com

This is an exciting place to visit.

• We have a community calendar filled with activities for youth and adults.

• We have a listing of community meeting.

• We have a copy of this news letter.

• We have a resource guide where you can obtain the phone number and address of service providers both public and private.

• We have a form where you can ask for information and contact us.

• We have a section devoted to the ASSET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, with hints and ideas for assisting our young people.

• We have a FUN AND GAMES PAGE with hints on playing computer games.

Join us on the WEB for information and help.

JANUARY HONORS

Megan Whitten

An Atascadero High School Student. Megan received the Atascadero Youth Task Force January Achievement Award for service to youth and the community by youth. Megan is a member of the high school leadership class, and in that capacity has been involved in planning dances and Career Pathways presentations. She has performed community service through convalescent home visits and working at the Chamber of Commerce dinner. She serves as the student representative to the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees articulating the views of youth on issues before the board. Megan's leisure activities include drawing, sewing, and participating in Mock Rock events. With all these activities she finds time to work part-time at "Big Dog". Her efforts reflect the useful roles that youth in the community can play and their willingness to provide service to others. Megan brings credit to herself and her peers by showing us all that youth are a valuable resource.

A NEXT ISSUE WILL BE POSTED: May 10^th.

Last Issue

Volume 1, Issue 1 Printed Courtesy of Poor Richard's Press March 2001

WHO & WHAT IS THE TASK FORCE?

The Task Force is made up of your friends, neighbors, co-workers, churches and representatives from the public and private agencies serving and committed to youth and families. This group has come together to make a positive difference in our community. We are particularly interested in finding ways to pro-actively address those issues which affect youth. Substance abuse, truancy, lack of positive role models, teen pregnancy, and teen crime are just a few of the problems that can keep our youth from reaching their full potential. When potential is wasted we are all much poorer and the community suffers the loss of a valuable resource.

Activities of the Task Force include:

• The Task Force created the Atascadero Community LINK to identify and connect services to the community.

• A WEB page "atascaderoyouth.com" to highlight youth activities, community events of interest to youth and families and enhance community awareness of youth issues.

• A monthly recognition program of community people, groups and youth themselves who are making significant contributions to youth.

• The sponsorship of a youth conducted candidates forum for the school board of trustees candidates in the 2000 election.

• Sponsorship of the local mentor program.

• A partnership to create the "Mommy and Me" program for teen mothers.

• Active leadership in the "Asset Development Program". Giving our kids what they need to succeed.

• A partnership to improve the "Public's Health".

• A master plan to address youth needs in the area of employment, health, safety, recreation and education.

• Provide representation and support to the "School Attendance Review Board", "Atascadero Resource Team" and the local Police Department "Diversion Panel".

YOU'RE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE

Next regular meeting 7:00 AM, Tuesday April 3rd at the "Old Printery Buidling" on the corner of Olmeda and West Mall next to the Armory.

40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS

Building Assets - A Powerful Parenting Approach

It's easy to get scared as a parent.

Watching the news, we see crime, drinking and driving, teen pregnancy, gang warfare, murder and suicide. We wonder what's going to happen to our children. In our fear we may end up scaring our kids so that they live in fear as well. Or we may look the other way, thinking that these are things that would never affect our families. Whatever the approach most parents feel uncertain at times. We would like to know the secrets of healthy parenting in a world that often seems unhealthy. The idea of "developmental assets" introduced by the Search Institute, gives a new sense of hope and practical direction for parents. Researchers have identified 40 assets that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. Children and teenagers who have a lot of assets get involved in very few at-risk behaviors - the kind of problems we worry about. When young people have a lot of assets they are much more likely to the positive things we value.

Assets do make a difference. By incorporating them into your parenting, you can help your child grow up healthy and competent. Future issues of this newsletter will explain further and give practical information on each asset.

YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT THESE KIDS HAVE TO SAY!!

With a grant from United Way and the County Office of Education, along with the cooperation of Charter Communications, the AYTF is in the process of developing a video to be used in communicating the 40 Developmental Asset message to the community. This video documents youth's feelings and perceptions of how adults in the community treat, stereotype, and value them as people. This is a powerful message and brings home the truth about adult attitudes toward youth .

VISIT OUR WEB SITE: atascaderoyouth.com

HONORS

Every month the Task Force recognizes an individual, a group or a youth who has contributed to the community and improved youth's prospects for success. Past Receipients are:

January 2001 - Megan Whitten, AHS Student

Decmber 2000 - Barbie Butz - ARCC

November 2000 - Atascadero High School

Forensics Club.

October 2000 - Sandy Mathias - Community

Volunteer

September 2000 - Ryan Kunz -AHS Student

August 2000 - San Luis Obispo Assistance

League Operation School Bell

July 2000 - Atascadero Youth Soccer

June 2000 - Brian Berry, Adult

May 2000 - Michele Kim and Katy Gosney, AHS Students

Published by:

Atascadero Youth Task Force

5901 East Mall, Atascadero

(805)466-5465 fax:466-5343 email:aytf@calinet. com

WebPage:

atascaderoyouth.com