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Community Education Digest
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Welcome to our Community Education Digest! As a refresher, 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 Safe Stay Youth Shelter Program.
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Safe Stay
Safe Stay is Ozone House's emergency shelter program for youth ages 10-17 years old. Safe Stay offers a welcoming place for young people when they need a safe place to stay or a break from conflict at home. When young people and parent/guardian agree to participate in Safe Stay, youth engage in a 2-3 week program that involves daily therapy and skills groups along with a continuation of the youth's educational plan. If possible and safe, Parents or Guardians often engage in family therapy to move toward better communication and family reunification. During a young person's stay they can expect to participate in:
- Individual & family therapy
- Group therapy
- Life Skills workshops
- Educational support
- Safe recreational activities
When leaving Safe Stay, Ozone staff help youth return to a safe home with a personalized action plan and ongoing therapy and services. If you know of a young person who might be in need of emergency shelter please contact Ozone's Crisis Line at 734-662-2222.
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Meet Laurin Tuxbury-Elliot
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Laurin joined Ozone House in February 2013. coming up on her 4
th
year with the organization, Laurin is Ozone House's Intake Coordinator, a facilitator for PrideZone and a member of the clinical staff, supporting with individual counseling for some clients. In her position as intake coordinator, Laurin has the opportunity to interact with almost every young person engaging in formal services through Ozone House. Whether a youth is entering Ozone's Safe Stay program or hoping to start individual counseling or case management, Laurin facilitates their intake process. Laurin's favorite thing about conducting intakes is that she has the opportunity to meet, assess the needs and provide support for young people across all our programs.
Originally from downriver, Taylor, Michigan, Laurin started her social work education in undergrad at Sienna Heights and continued on to get her Master's degree in Social Work from University of Michigan. She loves that Ozone House focuses on positive youth development and also empowers its clinicians and staff to use their best judgment to help and support the young people we serve. Laurin loves doing arts and crafts, play games and spending time outside in nature. She often incorporates these things into her work at Ozone during group facilitation. When not at work, Laurin relaxes at home with Netflix and her pets: two dogs, Hazel Grace and Scout, and two cats, Romeo and Mina.
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Resources in our Community
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Young people in our community encounter domestic violence in many different ways. This month we wanted to highlight SafeHouse Center as a resource our youth and families can access if experiencing domestic violence.
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SafeHouse Center
SafeHouse Center provides support for those impacted by
domestic violence or sexual assault. SafeHouse provides free and confidential
services for any person victimized that lives or works in Washtenaw Co
unty. Services include emergency shelter for those in danger of being hurt or killed, counseling, legal advocacy, support groups, and especially, hope.
Their mission is to provide safety, support, advocacy and resources for survivors of sexual assaults and domestic violence and their children, and to work relentlessly to change the systems and attitudes that allow this abuse to continue.
Services include:
*Counseling & Advocacy
*Legal Advocacy Assistance
*Outreach Services
*Support Groups
*24/7 Help Line: 734-995-5444
To learn more about any of SafeHouse's services go to www.safehousecenter.org or call their 24 hour help line 734-995-5444.
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The Education Project Updates
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Tell us what supports you need!
We have school supplies, toiletries, socks, and underwear, but can work to meet the specific needs of youth in your school. Let us know how we can support. Additionally, coats and winter gear will be coming into the office soon, along with plans for Holiday gifts. We are working with each district to make sure each student is being supported.
As a reminder there is a new Education Project referral available for fall 2016. 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:
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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
ephycontact@washtenawisd.org, 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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