Sue Scheff: Homeless Teens
by Sue Scheff on Mar 17, 2010
We know about homeless people and the challenges they face. Many homeless people suffer from a mental illness, some have lost their jobs and homes.
However hearing about homeless youths can be disturbing. After all, these are truly children that have had to grow up fast. No matter what the circumstances are, whether they were in an abusive home, are addicts, or their parents simply don’t want them; being homeless is a place where no one wants to be or even talk about.
In South Florida, the Covenant House offers relief for homeless teens. Covenant House Florida serves runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth under 21 including teen parents and their babies.
Each year, we reach hundreds of kids in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando via street outreach, crisis shelters, transitional housing projects, and aftercare, making Covenant House Florida one of the largest private agencies serving runaway and homeless youth in the state of Florida.
Services offered:
- Street Outreach by van and foot
- Shelter Care — nourishing meals, clean clothes, and a safe place to sleep: current capacity Ft Lauderdale 68 Youths / Orlando 20 Youths (both locations accessible to young mothers and their babies)
- Counseling, Case Management, and Referrals
- Health Services at on-site clinics
- Family Reunification
- Substance Abuse Intervention
- Pregnancy Prevention/Teen Parent Education
- Education
- Job Readiness
- Life Skills Instruction
- Transportation Assistance
- Pastoral Ministry
- Rights of Passage Transitional Housing
- Aftercare/Walk-In Services
To contact the Covenant House for more information, call toll free at 1-800-683-8338.
Must watch video and read more. Help get young people off the streets.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Homeless Teens, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Animal Assisted Therapy for Teens and Elders
by Sue Scheff on Mar 15, 2010
Does your teenager (18 years old and up) have a passion for their pet? Do they enjoy helping others? If so, The Humane Society of Broward County offers a rewarding program. Animal Assisted Therapy Programs (AAT) is a rewarding experience for your teen and their companion animal.
First you will need to attend the Humane Society of Broward County’s Volunteer Orientation. Volunteer Orientation is scheduled through their Volunteer Services Department at 954-266-6814.
The Animal Assisted Therapy Program (AAT) is not only for young adults; parents and people of all ages can help make a difference in many lives. If your teen is seeking a career in psychology, social work or veterinarian, this could be an excellent introduction. For adults, it is a great way to meet others that share your love of animals and helping others.
Once you have completed the Volunteer Orientation, you will be required to attend a 2 ½ hour AAT class without your animal. This class will teach you all about our Animal Assisted Therapy Program and what skill requirements both you and your animal must possess in order to be considered for our program.
After the AAT course is completed, you and your animal might require further training. Training is determined by the type of program you and your animal will be participating in, and what skill sets you and your animal have or need to have in order to participate. AAT Advanced Obedience Training classes are held at the Humane Society and are scheduled once a week for 6 weeks. The Manager of the AAT program will decide if you and your animal require further training before being evaluated for the program. – Humane Society of Broward County
If you are interested in joining AAT program, please contact the Humane Society directly at 954-266-6856 or email them at therapy@hsbroward.com .
Not in Broward County? To find the nearest Humane Society near you, click here.
Watch slideshow of animals and read more on Examiner.
Tags: Assisted Animal Therapy, Canine Therapy, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Teens Coming Out – Gay Bashing
by Sue Scheff on Mar 12, 2010
Homosexuality is a topic that can make some people uncomfortable, however it doesn’t condone bullying, teasing and creating fear in those that are openly gay – especially teens. Words can hurt, and the emotional scars can be long lasting.
Teens that are openly gay risk being teased, bullied and treated as an outcast. Sexual orientation in adolescents has previously been linked to increased rate of victimization. A study in the journal Pediatrics showed that those students who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual had a disproportionate risk for problem behaviors, including suicide and victimization.
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCCSF) believes everyone has a right to be themselves, to be different, to enjoy self respect and love. The GLCCSF proudly supports all members of the LBGT community.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) cautions parents that “gay and lesbian teens can become depressed, socially isolated, withdrawn from activities and friends, have trouble concentrating, and develop low self-esteem. They may also develop depression.” It is important for parents of gay and lesbian teens to understand their teens sexual orientation and provide support. The AACAP encourages parents and family members to seek understanding and support from organizations such as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).
The American Psychological Association provides these tips for teens who fear they may be a target of violence:
- Above all, be safe. Don’t spend time alone with people who show warning signs of violence, such as those with a history of frequent physical fights, and those who have announced threats or plans for hurting others.
- Tell someone you trust and respect about your concerns and ask for help ( a family member, guidance counselor, teacher, school physiologist, coach, clergy, or friend)
- Get someone to protect you. Do not resort to violence or use a weapon to protect yourself.
Source: Connect with Kids
The Today Show featured a segment on “Teens Coming Out” on the difficulties both parents and teens can face. Watch the video and read more on Examiner.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Tags: Bullying, Gay Bashing, Gay Teens, Homosexuality, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues
Sue Scheff: Myth vs Fact: The truth about reform in Florida’s education system for teachers
by Sue Scheff on Mar 11, 2010
Myth vs. Fact: The Truth about Reform – This is interesting information about Florida’s system of our on of our most valued people; teachers. Teachers are who we trust with our children for many hours a day - five days a week. Teachers are the people that help us mold our children and prepare them for a bright future. There has been conflicting information about teachers and their salaries with consideration to what our children are learning.
Source: Foundation for Florida’s Future
Modernizing Teacher Evaluations, Tenure and Compensation for the 21st Century
Myth: The current process for evaluating teachers is fine the way it is.
- Fact: Last year, 99.7% of teachers in the state earned a “satisfactory” evaluation, yet 50% of our high school students, 35% of our middle school students and 30% of our elementary students didn’t make a year’s worth of progress in reading. (And 60%, 40% and 30%, respectively, were not reading on grade level.) That’s fine?
Myth: The bill will eliminate tenure in Florida.
- Fact: The bill doesn’t eliminate tenure for teachers in the classroom today. The courts have determined that tenure is a property right and can’t be taken away by the Legislature. The bill does end the practice of granting lifetime guarantee of employment after just three years in the classroom. Instead, new teachers will have annual performance contracts.
Myth: Annual tests are not a good measure of teacher effectiveness.
- Fact: Annual tests are an objective measure of the knowledge and skills students gain from one year to the next. If you believe teachers impact how much a student learns, then annual tests that measure progress are an objective measure of their effectiveness in the classroom.
Myth: It’s unfair to base teacher evaluations on student learning.
- Fact: Right now, teacher performance reviews are based on the observations and opinions of their principal – making these evaluations 100% subjective. Using data for 50% of the annual performance review makes the evaluation more objective – and therefore, more fair.
Myth: The bill punishes teachers whose students are below grade level.
- Fact: The bill doesn’t punish teachers whose students are not on grade level. The bill requires progress – what students learn during the year – to be considered. Teachers can’t control what their students know when they show up on the first day of school, but they do influence what they learn during the year in their class. In fact, measuring progress may benefit teachers who teach students with disabilities and low-performing students the most.
Myth: The bill cuts teacher pay.
- Fact: Under the bill, the more students learn, the more teachers earn. The bill requires at least half of teacher salaries to be based on whether students are learning. It also raises salaries for teachers in high-poverty schools and teachers of subjects that are in high demand, such as math and science.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Education, Foundation of Florida Education, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Students, Sue Scheff, Teachers
Sue Scheff: Increasing Your Teens Study Skills
by Sue Scheff on Mar 10, 2010
Motivating students today can be a challenge. Many children are very bright, intelligent and have the ability to get excellent grades, however are underachievers. This can be extremely frustrating to parents as well as teachers.
PS Youth Outreach Center located in Lauderdale Lakes, offers Broward County youths an opportunity to learn better study skills, prepare for SAT’s, ACT’s as well as GED preparation. PS Youth also helps teens and young adults with career development by offering assistance with resume writing, interview tips, filling out applications and computer classes.
Paula Scott, President of PS Youth Outreach Center, said they are planning a Summer Camp which will also foster educational growth and retention during the summer months as well as incorporate some fun, educational activities. PS Youth’s one-on-one tutoring rate is very low, in comparison to other tutoring and private educational services.
PS Youth Outreach Center, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which serves at-risk youth between the ages of 5-22 who reside in Broward County. The agency was founded in 2006 as a reaction to the numerous youth of Broward County who are under-served or unaware of the many services available.
Education is a privilege which many of our youth become discouraged to follow through with. Whether discouraged by social distractions, familial distractions, or simply a lack of guidance, these youth need to be helped through education.
PS Youth is approved by FDOE and the School Board of Broward County. Call today and learn more! 954-358-0625 or email at info@psyouth.org . Are you able to sponsor a student or have school supplies to donate? Learn more, click here.
Be an educated parent, it can help your child reach their greatest potential.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: ACT, FCAT, Parenting, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, PS Youth Outreach, SAT, Study Skills, Sue Scheff, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: Dr. Drew Talks about Cough Medicine Abuse
by Sue Scheff on Mar 09, 2010
Recently I was privileged to be part of an interesting and educational conversation with Dr. Drew and Jeff Wolfsberg.
Jeff Wolfsberg posted an excellent outline of our discussion. For parents that are raising teens today, it is imperative you understand the dangers of cough medicine abuse as well as other medicines in your home.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Cough Medicine Abuse, Dr. Drew, Drug Use, Parenting, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Substance Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Troubled Teens
Sue Scheff: Teens with Depression
by Sue Scheff on Mar 06, 2010
With the recent headlines of the suicide of Marie Osmond’s son and TV teen actor of Growing Pains, Andrew Koenig, we are learning and hearing more about depression in children as well as a keen awareness to suicidal signs in our teens.
Do you suspect your child is suffering with depression? Are you concerned your teen is becoming more withdrawn, secretive, isolated? Childhood and teenage depression is often in hiding.
What is pediatric depression?
It’s normal for children and teenagers to have sad or moody days, but when those feelings last for two weeks or longer, it could indicate that something more serious is going on. As adults, it can be hard for us to accept that children can also have depression, but research is going on now to help find new medicines for children with depression in the future.
If your child has been displaying one or more of these signs of depression for at least two weeks, and they are interfering with his/her ability to function, then he/she may be depressed and eligible to take part in this research:
- Frequent sadness, or crying
- Decreased interest in activities
- Persistent boredom; low energy
- Social isolation
- Low self-esteem and guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
- Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
- Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
- Poor concentration
- A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
- Talk of, or efforts to run away from home
Source: Kids With Depression
Are you worried or concerned that your child or teen is struggling with depression? Visit www.kidswithdepression.com and learn more.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Depression, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Depression, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen Sadness, Teen Suicide
Sue Scheff: Free Science Games to Excite and Inspire Your Kids
by Sue Scheff on Mar 05, 2010
Janet Murray recently posted a fantastic Blog that offers parents free and exciting games to inspire their children. She asked me to share it with my readers. As summer is around the corner, here are some great ideas to help your children have fun while they are learning!
60 Free Science Games to Excite & Inspire Your Kids
By this point, everyone realizes that there need not be any delineation between education and entertainment. Parents and teachers alike can supplement a student’s knowledge of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines with literally hundreds of free games available online through a multitude of sources. The following list compiles 60 of the most popular ones, mostly involving some of the more popular subjects among children.
Funschool
1. Zoo Crew : Zoo crew teaches children interested in animals and animal behavior the proper terminology for certain groupings of species.
2. Animal Homes : In Animal Homes, kids pair up a number of different species with their appropriate habitats and learn the very basics of ecosystems and environments.
3. Wild Animals : With this interesting matching game, participants must identify animals based on their distinguishing characteristics such as horns, tails, and fur patterns.
4. Animal Safari : Functioning as both a scientific and vocabulary exercise, this game is perfectly suitable for very young audiences that teaches them the proper names of various popular animals.
5. What’s My Class? : More advanced young children may enjoy What’s My Class? if they want to learn about what animals qualify as what taxonomic category.
6. Animal Spot : This very easy matching game appropriate for the preschool set asks children to look at a pair of horns, coat pattern, or tail and pick the corresponding species.
7. Space Watch : Explore the Solar System with Space Watch, an interactive odyssey with excellent artwork and information on every planet.
8. Animal Tracks : Budding outdoors enthusiasts will have quite a bit of fun with this game that asks users to match animals with their respective footprints.
9. Space Patrol : The Space Patrol needs to save Planet X229, and the only way to do so is with a basic knowledge of the universe.
10. The Heart Facts : Learn all the fundamentals of one of animal life’s most integral organs and eventually test memory retention with an informative quiz.
11. Pet Party : Responsibility, pet care, and basic biology all factor into this unique game revolving around how to properly keep an animal companion safe, happy, and healthy.
12. Birds of a Feather : Any child fascinated by the birds flitting about outside will enjoy matching a series of birds up with their appropriate habitats as well as their shadows.
13. Fun Science : The life cycle of both plants and animals comprise the content of this game, where the objective involves placing different points in development in the proper chronological order.
14. Computer Whiz! : Computer Whiz! makes for a lovely educational tool revolving around the history of computers and technology.
15. Incredible Edibles : Teach kids all the fundamentals of proper nutrition and food science with this informative game that starts them on the road to healthy lifestyle choices early.
16. Earth Day : Pollution and its negative impact on the environment inspired this game, which asks kids to find the factors that cause contamination and hurt the planet.
17. Food Groups : Another nutritious game, this one involves dragging different foods into containers identifying the 6 food groups.
18. Element Lab : Discover the Periodic Table of Elements – the very core of chemistry – by matching different substances with their respective symbols.
19. Fun in the Garden : Home economics, botany, and food science collide with Fun in the Garden, which teaches children how to differentiate between fruits and vegetables.
20. Hungry Monkey : Appropriate for preschoolers and kindergartners, Hungry Monkey illustrates the differences between different types of fruits.
Apples4theteacher.com
21. Mammal Match : Participants are asked to match up a given animal with its appropriate sound, making for an excellent introduction for children interested in how other mammals communicate with one another.
22. Space Vocabulary Memory Game : Build a kid’s vocabulary and understanding of the universe beyond Earth with this simple memory game, which asks them to match a word with its corresponding picture.
23. Hangman Game : The classic game of hangman gets a biological makeover, and children playing this updated version walk away with a greater knowledge of animal classifications.
Weather Channel Kids
24. WeatherREADY Emergency Supplies : In this extremely useful resource, users must scramble to find the appropriate emergency supplies for instances of severe weather before the clock runs out.
25. WeatherREADY Severe Weather Challenge : Another excellent scientific and safety lesson for children from the Weather Channel, this game aims for an older set and teaches them about how to react to severe, potentially dangerous conditions such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and other forces of nature.
Discovery Kids
26. Make a Volcano : Learn all of the fundamentals regarding one of the most awe-inspiring – yet painfully devastating – geological formations on the planet with a fantastically detailed and informative game on all the different types of volcanoes and their eruptions.
27. Darcy’s Wild Life Quiz : A quick little overview of animal life that asks some rather advanced questions of older participants fascinated by zoology.
28. Stinky Animals Quiz : Another fun, low-pressure quiz for kids to enjoy, this time focusing on some of the more pungent beasts in the biosphere.
29. Shark Quiz : Sharks enjoy quite a bit of popularity amongst the younger set due to their sheer power and dangerous, mysterious habitat. With this short quiz, they can learn more about the giant cartilaginous fish they love so much.
30. Penguin Quiz : Children also enjoy the waddling quirkiness of penguins, and they can test their knowledge of these beloved birds against a series of short multiple-choice and true-or-false questions.
31. Croc Quiz : Fans of crocodiles and other large reptiles may find a bit of fun and enjoyment with this brief quiz that challenges everything they know about the animal.
Magic School Bus
32. Gets an Earful : Alongside Mrs. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus gang, children can learn about how sound works by matching up a noise with its appropriate maker.
33. Maze Craze : This engaging and extremely fun gave requires participants to navigate through a maze, picking up plants and animals to place in their proper environments along the way.
34. Monster Bugs : Educating and nurturing creativity are the two main goals of Monster Bugs, which asks kids to identify the proper body parts for certain bugs as well as create their own unique critters.
35. Pop Quizzes : Children have 8 different fun quizzes to choose from based on their areas of scientific interest, including insects, space, and the human body.
36. Space Chase : Mrs. Frizzle sends out clues regarding her location, and participants need to pick the planet based on her hints.
37. The Great Habitat Match-Up : Another game revolving around placing animals in their corresponding habitats.
38. The Adventures of Weatherlizard : Venerable Magic School Bus mascot Liz asks a series of questions regarding tornadoes, thunderstorms, and blizzards.
Energy Quest
39. Watt’s That?! : Host Flip Switch offers up a game show-style quiz asking questions about electricity, energy, and how to conserve them.
40. Watt’s That?! Jr. : With 6 different styles to choose from, a younger audience has another opportunity to learn about how power is generated and how it may be best preserved.
41. Test Your Energy IQ : Through California Energy Commission’s official website, the U.S. Department of Energy offers up two brief quizzes on conservation and generation.
KS2 Bitesize
42. Changing state : The BBC hosts a slew of games on its KS2 Bitesize site, and this one focuses on how matter can shift from a liquid to a solid to a gas – and back again.
43. Characteristics of Materials : Receive a quick overview of the different properties of some common materials such as glass and metal with this interesting little game.
44. Gases, liquids and solids : Another interactive activity regarding the different properties of matter, this time asking for participants to correctly categorize items as a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
45. Keeping warm : Children learn all the basics of heat transfer and warmth with this informative resource that asks them to find the best possible insulator in different situations.
46. Different changes : Receive a brief education in chemical and physical changes by trying to differentiate between the two with a series of varying scenarios.
47. Rocks and soils : Budding geologists get a chance to play with virtual rocks and understand their properties and categorizations.
48. Solids and liquids : Discover the very fundamental physics of hot and cold by achieving an objective demanding participants to find the freezing and melting point of various substances.
49. Living Things : These 10 mini-games cover everything from basic biology to health-related issues, with something to offer almost any interest.
50. Physical Processes : With 10 more games, participants can receive an education in the fundamental principles that drive the physical world.
Miscellaneous
51. Why Gravity Causes Things to Fall : Physics factors into this painless, easy game that has users drop balls from different famous landmarks and generates a real-time approximation of the event.
52. 4th Grade Magnetism and Electricity Review : Aimed at 4th graders, the Magnetism and Electricity Review allows at least 2 players to compete in related trivia.
53. Chemical and Physical Change Lab : Offered through Ohio University, the Chemical and Physical Change Lab helps participants learn how to tell the two different matter transitions apart.
54. Ocean Trivia Machine : This enjoyable little game generates a series of questions regarding oceanography for up to 2 players.
55. The Incredible Megacell : Kids who love biology will find plenty to love about this interactive activity, which educates them on all the different parts of a cell.
56. Who Wants to Win $1,000,000? – The Science Game : Compete against other students with a series of questions regarding all different areas of science – not for real money, however.
57. Lights Out! : Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs in a harried race against a burning house that also serves as a lesson in conserving energy.
58. Hot Stuff : Play 3 quick, traditional true-false, word scramble, and matching games relating to geothermal energy. All of the answers can be found elsewhere on the website.
59. Quiz Your Noodle: Astounding Animals : National Geographic offers up a great little quiz game feature facts about some of the most popular animals on the planet.
60. Cloud Matching Game : This simple matching game asks kids to pair up pictures of clouds with their respective labels in a quick meteorological lesson.
With these 60 games – and the myriad others available free of charge over the internet – both educators and parents alike can illustrate the basic principles of many areas of scientific studies in a way that engages children without talking down to or completely boring them. Whether they enjoy or need a leg up in geology, physics, chemistry, biology, or other studies, there is a game out there to help guide them through all the necessary fundamentals.
Source: MRI Technician Schools by Janet Murray janet.murray83@gmail.com
Tags: Education, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Science Games, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Fake Pot – Do you know what your teens are smoking?
by Sue Scheff on Mar 04, 2010
As parents scramble to keep up with the challenges of raising teens today, they are now thrown another curve ball. Most know that smoking pot, although not legal and seems to becoming more addictive among youths, is a trend that some parents brush under the rug with the justification that “it is only pot.”
Recently after speaking with a parent of an at risk teen, she said her therapist actually told her teen it was “okay” to smoke marijuana. Excuse me? This parent was horrified and this only empowered the teen. Obviously they are not returning to that therapist, but how many others feel this way?
Parenting is hard enough, and it is the parent that is the strongest tool in helping our teens to understand the dangers of drug abuse.
Now we have what is being called, K2 – or “Spice,” Genie” and “Zohai” – that is commonly sold in head shops as incense and referred to as the “fake-pot“. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing. – AP
K2 costs between $20 and $50 for three grams, similar to the street price of marijuana, but with the key advantages of being legal and undetectable in drug tests. The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration has classified it a “drug or chemical of concern.”
Kansas and Missouri already have bills to ban the mystery substance. What is your state doing about this latest trend?
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Drug Use, Fake Marijuana, K2, Parenting, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Peer Pressure, Smoking Pot, Substance Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teen Health, Teen Help
Sue Scheff: The Consequences of Sexting
by Sue Scheff on Feb 27, 2010
Sexting is a word that years ago we would have not heard about. Today teens and tweens are not only familiar with this word, many have suffered the consequences from it.
A Thin Line debuted on MTV this month that educates and informs parents, teachers, kids and everyone about the dangers of the digital world.
What is Sexting?
Sending or forwarding nude, sexually suggestive, or explicit pics on your cell or online. For some people, it’s no big deal. But real problems can emerge when the parties involved are under 18, when people get pressured into sexting, and when sexts go viral. – A Thin Line
What are the consequences of sending or receiving one? There are many, however the most common are the feelings of humiliation, embarrassment and much worse. The person that is in the photo can potentially suffer from extreme depression and even feelings of suicide.
For the person sending them to go viral, there could be potential criminal charges. You could get arrested. Taking, sending, and possessing naked images of a minor is a federal crime. Sex offenders’ registry? Not the honor roll you were hoping for.
Parents need to take the time to sit down and talk to their kids about sexting and how it can potentially ruin lives for a long time. Review their phones or computers if you suspect that your child is participating in this activity. Remember, there comes a time when safety trumps privacy and this could be one of those times.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens.
Watch A Thin Line on Sexting in America. Watch the four-part series with your children.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Cyber Safety, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sexting, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues, Texting
