Community Education Digest
 
May 2018
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 WorkZone Program.

IN THIS ISSUE
WorkZone
Camille Jones
Resources for Youth in our Community
The Education Project
Need Ozone House materials?

WorkZone
 
WorkZone is the Ozone House employment training and paid internship program for at-risk youth. All young people in the program participate in a two week training to start and then move into a paid internship or a job-specific training. During the first two weeks youth learn about:
  • Finding a career you are good at
  • Finding a job you like
  • Resume writing
  • Mock Interviews
  • Succeeding in your job
  • Getting promoted
  • Working with your boss
Participants then move into their 100 paid internships with a local business, nonprofit or company. Throughout the whole program, youth meet with a job coach to provide support through the internship and job search. WorkZoners also have the opportunity to work with an Ozone House Case Manager to address other needs, around housing, child care, insurance, food, etc.
 
The program runs three times a year, with the summer session being the largest. During the summer session Ozone House collaborates with Food Gatherers to offer training to youth ages 16-20. This year's session begins June 18th, follow the links for printable program info and applications
 
Any questions you might have can be direct to Scott Phillips our Youth Employment Coordinator at 734-485-2222 or [email protected]

Meet Camille Jones

Camille Jones is the first face that folks are likely to see upon walking through Ozone House's doors. Camille works as the Intake Coordinator and administers intake assessments for youth and families who may benefit from Ozone House services. Camille was born and raised in Ypsilanti, MI and has always been passionate about working with people that are impacted by mental illness. Camille received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and later, a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Prior to working at Ozone House, Camille worked for Safehouse Center, where she provided support to people impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. It was through her work at Safehouse Center that Camille developed a strong interest in working in a residential setting doing crisis intervention work. Camille also has experience as an outpatient therapist for youth who have Serious Emotional Disturbances. 
 
Camille has been in her role for the past 5 months and is always thinking of ways to meet people where they are at and to get them connected to resources and support as they navigate through a difficult time. Camille chose Ozone House as a place to work because she values how mission driven the agency is, and that the staff truly see each other as family. As a person that admits to "challenging the status quo," Camille expressed that she appreciates being a part of an agency that is willing to be innovative and make changes. When asked what she likes most about her job, Camille replied, "It means a lot when I can do an intake with someone who is in a lot of pain and after 90 minutes, they are smiling and filled with hope that they're going to make it through."
 
When Camille is not at Ozone House, she is usually hanging out with her partner, making jewelry, at the gym, or scrolling through pug Instagram pages like the pugdashians.

If you are interested in speaking with Camille more, she can be reached through our business line at 734-662-2265 or [email protected]
Resources for Youth in our Community
May is National Foster Care Month
This May we recognize that we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. Find resources and information to help ensure that their future is bright.

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw
County
4925 Packard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

CSSW offers foster care for children who have been separated from their birth families for reasons of abuse and/or neglect. Through the family-to-family approach, CSSW licenses foster families to provide a safe, loving temporary home until the child is able to be reunified with their birth family. Contact Foster Care Program at for answers to questions about the foster care process and what it takes to become a foster parent through CSSW.

Fostering Futures

3300 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 260
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Office: 734-481-8999

Fostering Futures is a non-profit, child placing agency founded on a strong commitment to providing the best services to children and families in the foster care system. Fostering Futures will provide safe haven for all that receive services or employment under the auspice of its name. Fostering Futures is based on the foundation of sound clinical practice and a goal to meet the therapeutic needs of children and their families with a systemic and psychotherapeutic approach to treatment.

Our House

2737 Holyoke Lane 
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
1-734-476-0600

Our House assists Washtenaw County youth who have experienced foster care (age 14-25) to successfully transition from foster care to adulthood. Our mission is to help young people (age 14-25) successfully transition from foster care to adulthood. Our vision is that they become successful, self-sufficient and can live independently with confidence.

M.O.R.E Support

(734) 662-2222

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 House has partnered 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.

*Support for Foster Youth wishing to attend University of Michigan can visit:  



Support Groups
Support groups can help give you the skills you need to cope with the stress of Foster and Adoptive parenting, and address the unique needs of the special kids in our care. Thankfully, Washtenaw County offers a number of great local support groups and training opportunities for Foster and Adoptive families.
Fostering Futures' Foster/Adoptive Parent Collaborative Training and support group
1st Wednesday 
From 6:15 to 8:15 PM at Fostering Futures, 3300 Washtenaw Ave., Suite 260, Ann Arbor, MI. On the first Wednesday of every month, we meet to learn, support, and share with other foster and adoptive parents in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. The group is open to foster parents licensed through any agency, parents of children adopted through foster care, and anyone interested in learning more about foster parenting. Guided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, discussion topics for each week are driven by the needs of the group. The time counts toward your Foster License annual training requirement, plus free pizza and child care are provided!

Ann Arbor Support Group
4th Wednesday
This FASD-Specific Group meets from 7:00-9:00pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month except November (meets 3rd Wednesday) and December (no meeting). St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Education Center, Classroom #5 5305 East Huron Dr., Ann Arbor. Contact: Betsy Soden for more information at [email protected]

Fabulous Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group
1st Monday
From 6:00 to 8:00 pm at 242 Community Church, 648 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI (between Liberty and Jackson). Park near and enter through the door with the large yellow border; one of the PARC staff will be there to greet you and direct you to the youth space. Pizza is provided, and you are invited to bring a dish to pass. After dinner we break into three groups: Adults, Youth group (teens and older tweens), and childcare. Please RSVP, especially if bringing children! Contact: Lynne Havlik [email protected]

Raising Kids Affected by Trauma
2nd Sunday
From 2PM to 4PM at The 5th Corner Teen Center, 211 Willis Road, Saline
Free childcare provided. This group is for any family raising children who have been affected by trauma. All family structures are warmly welcomed, whether foster, adopted, biological, single-parent, LGBT, kinship, etc. The discussion for each meeting will be sparked by a trauma-related article, book excerpt, video, or even an occasional guest speaker! 
Please RSVP with number of children, their ages, and any special needs, so we can be sure to offer adequate childcare coverage. Contact: Tammy Talvitie at [email protected] or call/text 734-657-7172. Join us on Facebook between meetings... click on: 
 or just search for "Raising Kids Affected by Trauma"



UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES
 this month!
Global Tech Academy Community Festival!
   Saturday, June 2nd
Noon - 3pm


Ozone House: MomZone
MomZone will continue to run through May and June and young mothers are welcome to join at any point click here for a printable flyer


The Education Project Updates
EPHY ACTIVITIES ASSISTANCE

Are you working with a student who could benefit from being involved in an extracurricular activities but needs support with participation cost (fees, gear, and travel etc.)?  If so, please contact EPHY for more information on "activities assistance" eligibility. Some activities covered include:
  • Summer camps and Summer Tutoring
  • Athletic/Sports Participation Fee or Gear
    • Examples: YMCA, Dance Class, School or Recreational Sports...
  • Art  Program Fees or tools
    • Examples: Drawing/Painting Class, Drama Club, Instruments...
  • Youth Community Leadership Program Fees
    • Examples:  Registration, Memberships, Conferences...
GIFTS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS!
Senior Gifts are being distributed! If you are working with a Graduating Senior, email us to make sure they are included in our graduation gift effort! 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Below is the 2017 - 2018 school year! Please use this referral when working with students and families this school year. Any questions about the referral or referral process can be directed to [email protected] or call us at 734-994-8100 x1518 

Click here to obtain a copy:  

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. 

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

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. 
   _________________________________________________________________________________

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. Visit the Ozone House website to learn more about how you can help.
 
The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 4pm. 

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.

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. 
 
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