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Community Education Digest
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Welcome to our Community Education Digest! The aim of Ozone House's Community Education Digest newsletter is to connect our community's resources and services with the youth and families who need them most. Each month, the Community Education Digest highlights an Ozone House program along with related resources in our community. Many of these resources can also be found in the Ozone House Info Cards shown below.
This month we highlight our MORE Support Program.
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MORE Support Program
The MORE Support Program is a collaboration between Ozone House, Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College to provide trauma-informed counseling services for youth who are in college or are college-bound and who have experienced disruptions in their care and/or housing. Ozone is partnering with MAGIC at Eastern Michigan University and REACH at Washtenaw Community College to connect with students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness. The counseling services provided by MORE Support are available for youth at their respective schools, thereby reducing barriers to receiving emotional and mental health support.
MORE Support fills a need in supporting youth who have experienced trauma and disruptions in care achieve academic success. Youth engage in the MORE Support program for a variety of reasons ranging from a need for general emotional support, adjusting to college, and receiving help managing emerging and/or ongoing mental health needs.
For more information call (734) 662-2222. You can also check out the
MORE Support
section of the Ozone website.
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Originally from Milwaukee, Dave received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University. Prior to moving to Michigan, Dave worked for Wraparound Milwaukee as the wraparound care coordinator. He spent two years there, primarily working with youth engaged with the court system, child welfare, or juvenile justice. Dave joined the Ozone House team in 2009, when he moved to Michigan from Milwaukee. Starting as a youth specialist, Dave worked part time while completing his MSW from U of M.
After completing his degree, Dave took on the role of intake Coordinator and then transitioned to a family therapist role in 2013. After three years of primarily supporting SafeStay youth,
Dave is now our MORE Support therapist!
Through the MORE Support program, Dave works with youth who are in college or transitioning into college settings. As the MORE support therapist, Dave loves that he is working with young adults who are ready to think about what they want and how to get there. The youth are seeking out change and receptive to support. Dave really appreciates that his work through MORE support is a collaboration with youth, and values the excitement around planning and opportunities they bring to the table.
With everything Dave has done with Ozone House, he sees a true, youth-focused model that really strives for youth empowerment, both in the services offered and how the agency provides them. Dave loves the agency culture and the way that staff support each other in their work. He says it's easy to go to work in the morning when you are surrounded by people you enjoy, and of course, Pumpkin! Dave also appreciates the flexibility and mobility of his work at Ozone. He loves to exercise, travel and try new foods. However, you can also find him relaxing at home with his cats, Shibby and Jim, watching tv, a movie, or playing games.
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Resources for Youth in our Community
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College Bound Programs
*The following programs primarily focus on supporting foster youth but can also provide support for youth experiencing any disruption in guardianship or those that have experienced homelessness*
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Blavin Scholars Program
University of Michigan
- The Blavin Scholarship and Program aims to increase college access, retention, and graduation among students who have experienced time in foster care by providing comprehensive support to students pursuing a bachelor's degrees at the University of Michigan.
- The program helps students to enhance their academic, professional, and life skills while tailoring support to meet the needs of each student. The Blavin Scholarship assists Blavin Scholars in covering the financial cost of their education.
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REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen)
Washtenaw Community College
- REACH provides resources and support to enrolled Washtenaw Community College students, age 20 and younger, that have experienced time in foster care on or after their 14th birthday (or been in placement such as relative, group home, shelter, independent living, or delinquency supervised by DHHS).
- The program follows a case-management model and includes student workshops, mentoring opportunities, life skills coaching, financial support, and community connection opportunities.
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MAGIC (Mentorship Access Guidance in College)
Eastern Michigan University
- MAGIC exists to increase graduation rates among Eastern Michigan students who have experienced foster care or homelessness by providing support and helping to remove barriers that prevent young people from achieving academic success and becoming interdependent adults.
- The MAGIC program provides mentorship, opportunities for leadership and engagement, college guidance - including life skills training and academic support, and assistance in applying to scholarships, resources, and career-related opportunities.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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AACIL Spring Job Fair
Date: April 19, 2017
Time: 10am-2pm
Location:
3941 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48108
The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living is hosting a spring job fair that is open to the public. Area companies will be present and looking to fill a variety of positions. Come meet, apply and interview with companies. Participating employers will be announced soon.
JBF Spring Children's and Maternity Consignment Event
Dates: May 5-May 7
Location: 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48103 (Washtenaw Co. Fairgrounds)
Time: See website link for details
Just Between Friends is holding their spring children's and maternity consignment event. "It is our goal to help families in our communities to save money and make money on kids' clothes, toys, shoes, and equipment--in one safe, clean, organized place--saving families time and money. We also love to facilitate any way to reuse what people have and no longer need by passing it from one family to another. During our event we also help the local community by facilitating the donation of thousands of items to local charities." For more details visit,
www.annarbor.jbfsale.com
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The Education Project Updates
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Graduation Gifts are Coming!!!
Our goal is to get all graduating seniors a graduation gift and to do that we need your help. Please send a list of your current McKinney-Vento Seniors as well as the date for their last day of classes to
[email protected].
We want to make sure we have all of the students identified and are able to get them their gift!
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The referral is intended to be filled out by school staff or community partners with the students or families in need of support. Once a referral is completed, the information should be shared with the Education Project staff as well as the Local Liason.
Click here to obtain a copy:
As of December 10th Foster Youth are no longer considered McKinney-Vento and will be primarily supported through DHHS. The Education Project and the WISD will continue to offer basic supports to youth and help facilitate communication between the schools, families and case workers.
Please check in with your district or school liason if you have any questions.
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The Education Project, sometimes known as the Education Project for Homeless Youth, is designed to ensure that students experiencing homelessness or unstable living situations enroll, regularly attend, and succeed in school. Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students who are homeless must have equal access to free and appropriate public education.
The Education Project works closely with Liaisons in the school districts, Allies within each school, community partners, and families to identify and serve all youth affected by homelessness.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Education Project
Who is Homeless?
Homelessness does not always look like a family living in a car or on the street; it exists in many different versions. The primary criteria we consider are: Is their housing Fixed? Is it Regular? And is it Adequate?
Fixed: Is it permanent or not subject to change? For example, is the person staying somewhere that they have a right to live? Are they not on the lease? Could they be asked to leave?
Regular: Are they staying the same place every night? Do they have to switch locations frequently?
Adequate: Is the residence sufficient? Do youth staying in the home have a bed to sleep in? Are there health risks and unsanitary conditions in the home? Does it meet the physical and psychological needs of a child?
Although we all hope that homelessness is very temporary, it can be a perpetual experience for many families and unaccompanied youth. It is important to ask these questions and understand each family and youth's situation.
How can I access the Education Project?
The education project is housed in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The website is
http://www.washtenawisd.org/services/k-12-student-services. Here you can find information about who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, what services are offered and additional links and supports around youth homelessness and education.
How can I help?
The Education Project relies on a combination of grant support from the state and donations from members of the community. Many of the items provided to families, like toiletries and school supplies, are supplied through donations. This allows the Education Project the ability to fund other school related expenses like field trips, sports/activities, tutoring services and temporary transportation for students. Additionally, the program is always looking for volunteers to help pack up supplies for youth as well as deliver supports to schools within the districts. By having a team of volunteers ready to disperse supplies, EPHY will serve families more effectively. Click here to learn about ways you can help:
The Education Project Volunteer Flyer
The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 3:30pm.
Any questions regarding a young person's McKinney-Vento status and the supports available can be direct to
[email protected], or by phone at (734) 994-8100 x1518.
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If you know a youth or family who could benefit from Ozone House services,
please have them call our 24-hour Crisis Line:
734.662.2222
There is always somebody here to listen.
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Need More Information About Ozone House?
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| Ozone House Poster |
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We will come to you!
We provide educational presentations to middle and high school classrooms or assemblies, as well as organizations throughout Washtenaw County.
To order free printed education materials, or to schedule a presentation,
contact Dawn Espy at
call (734) 994-8100 x1518
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Ozone House Outreach Card |
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To learn more about all of our crisis intervention, housing or support services, or to get involved with Ozone House,
please visit our website at
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