When working with transition-aged youth, it often feels like youth are at a disadvantage. Many times, the needs of young people are complex, and it can be challenging to ensure youth receive all the support they need to thrive. As we strive to provide young people opportunities to have a voice and choice in the services they receive, we must keep in mind that young people are often expected to adjust to very complex and frequently unfair expectations of them. Giving young people a sustainable voice in their care is easier said than done, and we must remember that we should also adapt to the needs of youth and do so through an equitable and social justice-driven framework. To best provide youth a voice in the services and care provided to them, we must remember that we should also adapt and strive to meet youth where they are and accept them for who they are. Using social justice as a framework when working with youth, we are adapting to their needs and creating a more equitable and accepting environment for them to strive in.

A huge part of using social justice as a framework is to ensure youth have opportunities to share their authentic voice in non-judgmental environments. This includes state and local collaboratives, child and family team meetings, and community meetings. As supports, we must pave the way for youth to advocate for themselves and their communities, and this should be done in partnership with the youth. Youth forums are a great way to share their needs and strengths with the community. Also, getting involved with youth advocacy groups such as Youth MOVE is an excellent way for youth to grow as young adults and advocates.

Finally, to best use social justice as a framework when working with youth, we must ensure the services they receive are equitable and strength-based. If young people are expected to go to meetings, therapists or health providers, or even Youth leadership activities, ensuring they have reliable transportation and that these services are accessible is paramount. Is the literature and signs at these services in multiple languages, or use trauma-informed language are things to keep in mind. In order for youth to best receive the services they need to grow and flourish, we must strive to ensure that it is approachable to youth and that they are receiving the best care possible.

As we adapt to the needs of youth and families using social justice as a framework, we must remember that youth have been required to make many changes in their lives. Whether it be with their challenges or adapting to an ever-changing world, we shouldn't hesitate to strive to ensure the services we provide to them are accessible, focus on the youth's intrinsic skills and value, and are in alignment with their culture and identities. When we put those necessities at the forefront of our work, the youth will have an easier time being the great people they are.

 

 

During May, we bring awareness to Children's Mental Health. What does that look like for the communities and families we serve? What does that look like for someone who works in the community to collaborate with others and to uplift the voices of youth and families? I hope to use the National Federation Of Families theme, Lighting the Path to Social Justice for Children and Youth. What does that look like, and how will we explain this to our children and youth in a way they understand? I like to use props and lived experiences to engage with our children and youth and help them understand the importance of positive mental health and how it affects our daily lives. When I go out to different schools and meet with our children and youth, I always talk about treating others with respect, speaking to others, smiling at others, and asking someone how they are doing and whether they know them. How could that one small chat make a difference in someone's life then and during that time? This also applies when you are mean, rude, and bullying others. I explain that you never know what someone is going through and how your words can affect others. So, this year, as we continue to educate our children and youth, we will help them light their path by providing them with fluorescent green shoelaces that will serve as a reminder that we can light the path we want to walk in. That we determine how our path can affect others and ourselves. 

A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union states that North Carolina students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately referred to law enforcement, raising questions about the impact of school resource officers on campuses. Student discipline more broadly — including suspensions and expulsions — has for decades been disproportionately used with students with disabilities, according to state data. The ACLU argues that the increase in school officers leads to these young people being charged with disorderly conduct, causing many of those same students to a potentially more severe form of punishment, such as referral to law enforcement. “Disorderly conduct, as applied in North Carolina and beyond, could be refusing to follow orders, cursing in hallways, or minor infractions between students”, says Sarah Hinger, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU's Racial Justice Program. Many students who live with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges can quickly end up with an adverse interaction with the school resource officer because many of their behaviors mimic the behaviors above, leading to referrals to juvenile justice services.

During the 2017-18 school year, according to the ACLU, law enforcement officers and school staff referred Black students to law enforcement agencies 2.4 times as often as they referred white students. They referred students with disabilities 2.5 times as often as those without disabilities.

Still, another report suggests that NC should invest more in mental health services and support than school resource officers. The number of school resource officers on K-12 campuses is rising, especially with recent multimillion-dollar state funding increases.

We can all agree that safety is on every parent's mind when sending their child to school. Safety is one of the most critical aspects of our children's school day. We all believe in "Safety First”.

My question is, why should the need for a child to remain safe at school be a stumbling block to meeting the individualized needs of a child living with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges?

One school resource officer put it this way: "Being a school resource officer is about building relationships with kids, families, and employees, he said. They should know almost everyone's name. Many support students in other ways, like providing snacks or school lunches when they don't have lunch money. They greet kids when they enter the building or parents and guardians outside."

This viewpoint leads us to the idea that what we already have can support what we all want to see. "Seeing the change means Being the Change."

We must begin to take advantage of opportunities to utilize the skills of those who serve to establish and build unique relationships between families and school staff to create safer, more impartial, unbiased, and productive school settings. Please see a few tips below to develop or enhance the relationship with Your SRO.

developing the policies, programs, and practices of the child-serving system.

Tips for Parents

Introduce your child to the SRO at your child's school at the beginning of the school year.

Get to Know Your SRO. Introduce yourself to your SRO and get to know them.

One thought is to build a relationship with your SRO at the beginning of the school year. Invite the school resource office to join your child's Child and Family Team meeting. The Child and Family Team process provides a child with mental health challenges and their families a safe space and a proactive way of setting safeguards to identify strategies that the children or youth themselves can share what helps and what harms when they are having a moment of crisis. Often, all the child/youth needs is to make it through that moment. Some families and teams have found that inviting the SRO as a child and family team member fosters a healthy relationship between the SRO and the child from the beginning and prevents future negative interactions.

Share helpful information with the SRO about what helps and what will harm your child—preferably from the child himself/herself.

Invite SROs to attend school events in which your child is involved, such as sports or plays.

Utilize the expertise of the SRO: SROs are often trained in conflict resolution and can provide valuable advice on handling difficult situations. If you are facing a challenge at school or home, don't hesitate to ask for their input. They can provide a fresh perspective and help you find a solution.

Participate in Programs: Participate and support programs that promote positive behavior, advocate against alcohol and drug misuse, and prevent bullying that the SRO at your school is involved in.

Show Appreciation. Remember to show your appreciation for your SRO. This can easily be done by simply saying thank you or giving them a small gift that lets them know that you value their involvement and support of your child/youth.

***Note: If all efforts fail and the child is referred to juvenile justice, we must support family engagement in juvenile justice. This involves establishing a collaborative relationship in which families are partakers in their children's treatment and in developing the policies, programs, and practices of the child-serving system.

 

Social justice is a concept that refers to ensuring fairness and equality
for all members of society by addressing and correcting systemic
inequalities based on factors like race, gender and class. NC Youth and
Family Voices Amplified aims to amplify the voices of youth and families
in mental health systems that support their mental health and wellbeing.

The push for inclusion of lived experience in decision-making processes
has gained momentum over the years, recognizing the invaluable
perspectives and insights that individuals with direct experience bring to
the table. The purpose of the inclusion of youth and family voice at
every level is to ensure that all members of society have physical and
psychological safety. This gives every person the opportunity to live up
to their full potential and to support others in doing the same.

The sharing of lived experience not only serves to bridge the gap
between theory and reality, but also to challenge stereotypes, raise
awareness, and advocate for meaningful change within mental health
systems. By speaking out, individuals with lived experience, not only
assert their rights and needs, but also contribute to a broader societal
dialogue on mental health which, destigmatizes issues and promotes a
culture of understanding and support.

As much as I am proud and passionate about sharing my lived
experience, I am just as dedicated and determined to continue using my
lived experience in every area of my reality. Whenever someone hears
my story or sees the work that I contributed to in even the smallest way,
I hope hope becomes more of a reality for them. Writer and professor,
Audre Lorde said, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even if her
shackles are very different from my own.”

In essence, the integration of lived experience in discussions on mental
health and social justice is of the utmost importance for cultivating a
compassionate, inclusive and equitable society. By valuing and
centering diverse perspectives, we can work towards dismantling
barriers, promoting justice and creating communities where all voices
are valued, respected and incorporated in shaping a future where well-being and fulfillment are attainable for all.