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Mission: Cuyahoga Community Team works across systems to improve physical, mental, and educational needs and increase access to appropriate resources and services for youth in Cuyahoga County.
Vision: Cuyahoga County children and families will be socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically resilient and productive citizens.
While we may be ready for the thaw that means spring is near, that pesky groundhog Phil says it's too early to cheer! So, we must settle in for a few more weeks blanketed in snow! Fortunately, the topics of awareness for February show us that while it may appear cold and dreary, it is also a time to boost strength and thoughtfulness in ourselves and others! And, as the writer Kahlil Gibran says, "Kindness is like snow, it beautifies everything it covers."
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month:
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a recent survey demonstrated that one in 10 teens reported being hit or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend. In addition, one in 10 teens reported being kissed, touched or physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they didn't want to by someone they were dating. Dating violence occurs between two people in a close relationship. The nature of dating violence can be physical, emotional, or sexual, and includes stalking. The good news is it doesn't have to happen at all.
Expect Respect is a program of SAFE that engages youth, parents, schools, and communities in building healthy relationships and preventing violence and abuse. Serving local schools since 1988, Expect Respect offers a comprehensive approach to supporting vulnerable youth and creating safe and supportive learning environments.
Click here to view a video about our program.
Their program offers both free and fee-based resources for educators, parents, and youth. They also offer information on support groups, youth leadership, and educational theater. Trainings and materials are also available.
Click here to learn more about the resources available through Expect Respect.
Click here for links to five sequential lessons supporting character development, healthy adolescent development, and positive peer culture. The activities address bullying and cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and healthy dating for adolescents.
Click here to view the CDC's initiative to end teen dating violence - Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Health Teen Relationships.
More resources:
Click here f
or the Ohio Domestic Violence Network's 43-page Teen Relationship Violence Resource Guide & Safety Tips.
Click here for the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness's Tips for Responding to Students, Curriculum Ideas & Parent Strategies.
Click here for the Domestic Violence Resource Centre's 32-page Healthy Relationships Booklet for ages 14-20.
Click here for information on the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Or call/text 216.619.6192 or 440.423.2020.
Click here for information on
Love Doesn't Shove, a Cleveland-based training and speaking event "Dedicated to educating the community about the dynamics of healthy relationships as a means to end teen dating violence and promote a safer, happier society."
African American History Month:
Negro History Week started in the 1920s as a way to recognize Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln's efforts for equality in the US. In 1976, President Ford declared the week should be extended to the full month as a celebration and opportunity to emphasize the achievements and history of African Americans.
Please go to our Partner Spotlight to learn how one of Project AWARE's partner districts, Cleveland Heights-University Heights is celebrating and recognizing African American History Month in the community and schools.
Click here for more school activities related to African American History Month.
National Boost Your Self-Esteem Month:
Individuals who exhibit positive self-esteem are those who accept responsibility for their actions, have integrity, take pride in their accomplishments, who are self-motivated, willing to take risks, capable of handling criticism, loving and lovable." Further those with a healthy level of self-esteem seek "the challenge and stimulation of worthwhile and demanding goals, and take command and control of their lives." (National Association for Self-Esteem)
Click here for facts about self-esteem, a Rate-Your-Self-Esteem assessment, and activities to boost self-esteem.
Click here for 10 Ways to Feel Good About Yourself Right Now!
Click here for quick trips to boost self-esteem in less than an hour!
For classroom PBIS strategies to enhance self-esteem, please go to our Skills Corner!
February Awareness Weeks:
National School Counseling Week 5th-9th
Don't forget to thank the hardworking school counselors in your life for all they do! If you are looking for ideas on how to celebrate your counselors, the American School Counselor Association has many activities, resources, and strategies that draw attention to the unique work school counselors contribute to our schools.
Random Acts of Kindness Week 11th-17th
Click here for the Friendly February Kindness Calendar from the organization Action for Happiness.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 23rd - March 1st
The Emily Program - Cleveland helps people of all ages and genders who struggle with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and related mental health and body image issues.
Click here to view the website
or call 888.364.5977.
Other resources:
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Click here for the February 2017 Information Brief - Teen Dating Violence: What Schools, Parents, and Youth Need to Know.
Click here
for the Youth Coping Strategies Info Brief
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Cleveland Heights-University Heights:
Black History Month is being celebrated across the District in Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools. Each school has its own unique activities, assignments, and events planned to highlight to students the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history.
At Heights High, the student group MSAN is sponsoring many events during the month including a presentation about African Americans in Science, a Soul Food Dinner and Lip Sync Battle, and a Dashiki Day for students and staff to wear Dashikis in honor of African roots and African American history.
Heights Middle School will cap off the month with a Harlem Renaissance Assembly on February 28 to create an understanding of the Harlem Renaissance and a deeper awareness of the role Harlem played in the development of American art and culture.
All of the CH-UH elementary schools have many schoolwide and classroom-specific activities planned for the month. Roxboro Elementary is hosting a Cleveland Heights Black History Success Stories event on February 23. Fox 8's Wayne Dawson will be the moderator, and several CH-UH graduates will participate in a panel discussion with our students.
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Students can sometimes show poor self-esteem in the classroom, and if unaddressed, these traits may morph into negative behaviors in the classroom. If a student has poor self-esteem or a lack of responsibility form him/herself, the following behaviors may be seen in class:
Appear sad or depressed
Be withdrawn
Exhibit a negative body image
Be a perfectionist
Have a lack of friends
Make negative comments about work
Say they cannot do something
Click here for PBIS strategies to assist students showing poor self-esteem.
Developmental Assets Framework:
Search Institute has identified 40 positive strengths and supports youth need to succeed. Some assets are external and focus on relationships and opportunities youth need in their families, schools, and communities. Other assets are internal and focus on social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments. Fostering these 40 assets can help youth develop a stronger sense of self. Click here to learn more about the 40 assets.
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School Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers
Counselors and Social Workers, Project AWARE would like to assist you in your efforts! If there are any specific topics you'd like featured in the newsletter and/or resources you need, please reach out to Mary Wise at
[email protected]
or at (216) 901-4201.
Mental Health, Social-Emotional, and Behavioral Screening and Evaluation Compendium (2nd Ed.)
The purpose of this compendium is to provide a comprehensive source of information for practitioners engaged in mental health work about both no-cost and at-cost mental health, social emotional, and behavioral screening tools for children and adolescents.
We hope this will be a helpful resource to practitioners looking for screening tools; however, we also encourage individuals and schools utilizing this compendium to consult other sources for additional information when selecting the most appropriate screening tool(s) for their needs. When consulting this or other resources, any potential screening instrument should be evaluated on a variety of dimensions, including: (1) its appropriateness for the intended use (e.g., content and population fit); (2) its technical adequacy (e.g., reliability and validity); and (3) its usability (e.g., ease of administration and acceptability) (Glover & Albers, 2007).
We would like to acknowledge the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMSHA) and the Ohio Department of Education for supporting the creation of this compendium through Ohio's Project AWARE.
Northeast Ohio School Counselor & Social Work Network
Next meeting:
February 22, 2018 12:00-2:30 pm
Topics:
Suicide prevention protocols, forms and discussion
*Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome
Resources will be provided to all attendees
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Kognito Ohio Campaign for Hope: Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative
Free research-proven training offered to educators, staff and students to: 1) recognize when someone is showing signs of psychological distress or trauma and 2) manage a conversation with the goal of connecting them with appropriate support.
Click here
for FREE Online Training/Resources for Staff & Students
20
th Annual Summer & Beyond Fair: For Children & Youth with Disabilities
Sponsored by the State Support Team Region 3, come visit and talk with representatives from camps and organizations from around Ohio. For further information, contact Theresa Richardson at 216-446-3818 or
[email protected] or
click here.
Date: Saturday February 17, 2018
Location: Woodside Event Center at St. Michael's 5025 Mill Rd. Broadview Heights, OH 44147
Time:10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Supporting Families Affected by Parental Incarceration
This is a FREE Art Therapy opportunity for families of an incarcerated parent beginning on March 3. It will occur the second Monday of every month and includes dinner. While it is free, space is limited and requires registration.
Click here
to read about this free service as well as the times, location, and registration link.
Ohio Suicide Prevention
Save the Date(s):
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) offers five opportunities for behavioral health professionals to obtain training in suicide prevention.
Click here to view the flyer for training dates and registration instructions.
The OSPF also announces workforce development in suicide prevention for mental health professions.
Click here to view the flyer for training dates and registration instructions.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Become a First Aid Responder and learn skills to identify, understand, and respond to youth with signs of behavioral/mental health concerns and crisis action steps to take to connect them to the resources available in our communities.
Available monthly or by schedule.
Choose Professional Development/Calendar of Events.
PBIS Tier I Train-the-Trainer
The Ohio Positive Behavior Support and Intervention (PBIS) PBIS Network is currently accepting applications from Ohio school districts who wish to participate in a "PBIS District Train-the-Trainers" staff development opportunity to support the Tier 1 implementation of Schoolwide PBIS within their district, community school and/or ESC.
Click here
for more information and to submit your team registration form.
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Mary Wise, M.S.W., M.S.C.E., Coordinator | 216-901-4201
Project AWARE Ohio is a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education, the Center for School Based-Mental Health Programs at Miami University and the Educational Service Centers within three pilot communities: Cuyahoga County, Warren County and Wood County. It is funded through a grant received in 2014
through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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