July 2019
Monthly News and Updates
Bridges to the Future
Meet Robyn, our Lead Youth Coordinator. She’s one of the first people you’ll meet when you come to one of our Pop-up Activities!

"Some cultures and some people in the community like to reject seeking out help because it may deem them weak or different — which is totally not the case whatsoever. And that’s something I want to make my goal, to take away the stigma from seeking out help, and just change the dynamic to make it more acceptable.
 
I work at Bridges to the Future because I love that it’s a new and innovative model that it includes youth in the planning process, and it’s completely youth-friendly and youth-driven.
 
What inspires me the most to work at Bridges to the Future is to continuously see all the the youth reach their goals, whether it’s youth getting their jobs for the first time and getting that first paycheck, or seeing them walk across the stage and thinking that they would never be able to get that diploma, and seeing that smile on their faces as well as their families’ faces. That’s what makes me come back each and every day.” 

#MeetUsMondays
#meettheteam
#minoritymentalhealthmonth. #minoritymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #mentalhealth #fightstigma 
Robyn Horsey: Lead Youth Coordinator for Bridges to the future

Job Posting: Manager of CWIN (Children with Intensive Needs)
The Manager of CWIN (Children with Intensive Needs) supports the continuum of care which introduces and recommends effective services and supports for children and adolescents with behavioral and health disorders and their families with increased availability focused to the Spanish-speaking communities. Though the Collaboration Council does not provide direct services, the Manager of CWIN is responsible for utilizing a coordinated network of available resources that will integrate care planning and management across multiple levels and which are culturally and linguistically competent and build meaningful partnerships with families and youth at service delivery, management and policy levels. Click here to read the job description and application process.
Reengagement/ Drop-In Center
On August 20, 2019, the Reengagement/Drop-In Center will host its first Youth Advisory Council meeting. The Advisory Council will consist of nine young adults from Montgomery County, ages 17 to 24. Danielle Blocker will be the Youth Advisory Council Facilitator. Danielle has strong ties to the youth in Montgomery County and has extensive experience in community organizing as well as in engaging youth. 

The purpose of the Reengagement/Drop-In Center Youth Advisory Council is to include youth perspective and voice in program development; we believe that this will cultivate youth participation in programming that will be provided and also serve as a commitment to growing youth involvement and leadership in our decision-making processes. This kind of equal partnership reduces the power dynamic as both adults and young people will be fully engaged, open to changing how things are done, and share a unified vision for the partnership. 

Reengagement committee meeting
Prevention
Recognized on August 31, 2019, International Overdose Awareness Day aims to increase education and awareness of drug overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug related death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death from an overdose occurs when too much of a drug overwhelms the body and interrupts the body’s natural drive to breathe. It is important to recognize the signs of an overdose and act fast to prevent death. 

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

  • Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
  • Small, constricted pinpoint pupils
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Pale, blue skin 

If there is some uncertainty about whether a person is experiencing an overdose, it is best to treat the situation with urgency. 

  • Call 911
  • Administer Naloxone (Narcan), if available
  • Try to keep the person awake and breathing
  • Lay the person on their side to prevent choking
  • Stay with the person until emergency medical personnel arrive

For more information on how to protect you and/or your family from opioid overuse, opioid use disorder and opioid overdose, click here to visit the CDC’s website. 

Additionally, if you are over the age of 18 and wish to register to be trained in administering the lifesaving drug Naloxone (Narcan), please contact Montgomery County’s Overdose Response Program at (240) 777-1836 or OverdoseResponseProgram@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Community of Practice

The Youth Development Community of Practice presented for the first time , Understanding the Brain: How to Guide Youth and Young Adults to Success . Youth development practitioners from 10 county youth serving organizations increased their knowledge of the adolescent brain and learned strategies to strengthen developmental relationships with young people.

In addition, twenty practitioners received Youth Mental Health First Aid Certificates in the two day Youth Mental Health First Aid Training also offered in July.
Maryland United 4 Youth Conference
The 2019 Maryland United 4 Youth Conference is designed to support change-makers to feel unified, supported and inspired. The work of changing the status quo is challenging, making it essential to prioritize connection and personal well-being in the process.

Click here to register.