Community Education Digest
 
March 2019
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 Counseling Services.

IN THIS ISSUE
Counseling Services
Education Project Interns
Resources for Youth in our Community
The Education Project
Need Ozone House materials?

Ozone House Counseling Services

Ozone House's counseling services are free and confidential. Our licensed Social Workers provide crisis intervention and individual and family therapy. Counseling services are available to any youth ages 10 - 20; if a youth is 14 or older they are able to access counseling without parental consent. Counseling support is also an integral part of our SafeStay program and then continues for up to three months after youth exit shelter. If you know of any young people dealing with any of the following issues or others, please support them in contacting the Ozone House crisis line 734-662-2222.
  • Conflict with family
  • Thoughts of running away
  • Conflict with friends or other people at school
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Desire to make changes in behaviors, but don't know how
  • Concern about relationships not being safe or healthy
Whether youth are participating in residential services or just need a safe place to talk, counseling support is available. To learn more, visit the Ozone house website or contact our crisis line at 734-662-2222
This month we want to take a moment to introduce you to the interns working with the Education Project in 2019. We currently have three interns that joined us for Winter 2019 and will continue on through the summer: De'Myra Dawson, Mackenzie Haglund, and Dominic Schuler.

De'Myra is from Detroit and in the process of earning her Bachelor's of Social work from Eastern Michigan University. She is passionate about helping families and individuals in need and is interested in becoming a school counselor. She is excited about interning with Ozone House and the Education Project to further develop her knowledge around supporting youth and families as she works toward her future goals. When she is not busy with school, work or her internship, De'Myra just enjoys spending quality time with her family and creating memories.

Mackenzie is from Royal Oak and a senior at Eastern Michigan University where she will be receiving her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a minor in Pre-OT (pre occupational therapy). She is enjoying her internship and loves the opportunity to learn in depth about working with youth experiencing homeless and youth in crisis. She is a huge animal lover and spends a lot of time out of work and school hanging out with her pet bunny and her two dogs!

Dominic is originally from Toledo, Ohio and is in the MSW program at Eastern Michigan University with a focus on clinical social work in mental health and chemical dependency. Dominic is enjoying the internship and really values developing a larger understanding of the needs and experience of individuals experiencing homelessness. In their spare time, Dominic is a vocalist in studio band and enjoys working in the garden. Dominic is passionate about food justice and teaches classes on raised bed and container gardening efficiently in small spaces and rental spaces.

We are incredibly excited about our intern team, and you will continue to hear more from them throughout the remainder of the school year! We look forward to using this additional capacity to be more present in school spaces and the community! Please don't hesitate to reach out and say hello!
Resources for Youth & Families in our Community

 
Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM)
Provides free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals, families, and older adults in  Washtenaw Counties. LSSCM also provides legal services to older adults of St. Joseph County.

The Family Law Project (FLP) 
An affiliate program of Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) that provides legal services to indigent survivors of domestic violence. Founded in 1979 by University of Michigan law students, FLP is the primary organization providing legal services to survivors of domestic violence in Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw County Office:
(Includes Michigan Advocacy Program Administration)
15 S. Washington Street
Ypsilanti, MI  48197
Phone: (734) 665-6181
Toll-free: 1-888-665-6181

Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC)
The mission of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan (FHC) is to end discrimination in housing and public accommodations and to promote accessible, integrated communities. We investigate complaints of illegal housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin,  sex, disability, familial status, marital status and age.

P.O. Box 7825, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 
1-877-979-FAIR (3247)
Fax: 734-340-6598
info@fhcmichigan.org


Do you feel down? Anxious? Stressed? Overwhelmed? If you said yes to any of those, come join Corner Health for the Mood Lifters program. Mood lifters is a mental wellness program that improves mood and helps people live the life that they want. Join us every Monday from 5:30- 6:30pm. Want a $100 VISA gift card!? All you have to do is attend 12 out of 15 sessions!

Register by emailing jmacleod@cornerhealth.org


     

***WARMING CENTERS ARE SCHEDULED TO CLOSE APRIL 1St***

T he Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED) and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) announce the opening of winter warming centers for those experiencing homelessness during severe cold weather.
 
Jointly funded for the fourth year by the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County and lead by SAWC; thewinter weather response provides expanded winter shelter services for the homeless.
Expanded services include an:
  • overnight warming center at the Delonis Center from 7pm - 7am accommodating up to 50 people in the shelter's dining room and common areas; and 
  • daytime warming centers at area churches that will be available to the homeless population throughout the winter.
A current list of daytime center locations and hours are available  here.
 
For individuals needing to escape adverse cold conditions (real or wind chill air temperature at 20 degrees or below) before continuing on their destination; temporary weather havens are also available. These sites are for all Washtenaw County residents and will be activated when the weather reaches extreme temperatures, requiring public school closings. A current list of weather haven locations and hours are available  here . 
 
The Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development is committed to ensuring that all Washtenaw County residents are protected during severe weather condition

The Education Project Updates
Education Projects Supports and Services 

Below is the 2018 - 2019 referral. Please use this referral when working with students and families this school year.  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 Liaison. Any questions about the referral or referral process can be directed to or call us at 734-994-8100 x1518.  

Click here to obtain a copy:

If you have new staff or want to provide current staff with a refresher around the McKinney-Vento Law and how to support students in your school, please let us know.  We will come  trainings for teachers, administrators, school counselors, social workers or anyon I e in the community. 


Summer Camps, Field Trips and Graduation!
We will be providing senior gifts again this year! Please reach out and share your list of graduating seniors so that we make sure all graduates receive a gift! Additionally, please connect with us about any students who may need support for end of the year field trips, or summer camps!
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THE EDUCATION PROJECT
__________________________________________________________________________________ 

The Education Project is a joint program of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) and Ozone House. The Education Project 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 serves children & youth, ages 0-21, from the 9 school districts and thirteen public school academies (PSA) in the county.  Each district and PSA has a McKinney-Vento liaison and we work directly with them as well as allies within each school to provide support to students and families experiencing homelessness.
 
The Education Project works closely with community partners: Hospitals, clinics, shelters and other non-profits to make sure that students get the wraparound support they need.

   _________________________________________________________________________________

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 https://washtenawisd.org/services/ephy/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.

The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm.
 
How can I help?
  • Volunteer to pack backpacks and organize supplies
  • Host a supply or gift card drive for:
    • Back-to-School
    • Holiday
    • Graduation
    • Or any time!
  • Donate funds, gift cards or in-kind donations from our wish list, including: clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, bus tokens and more.
  • Advocate to your federal legislators to keep the McKinney-Vento Act funded
Visit the Ozone House website to learn more about how you can help.
 
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.

If you know a youth or family who could benefit from Ozone House services,
please have them call,text,or chat our 24-hour Crisis Line:

734.662.2222

There is always somebody here to listen. 
 
Need More Information About Ozone House?
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Ozone House Poster

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

Ozone House INFO Card

Ozone House Outreach Card
Ozone House Outreach Card
 

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