Backpack Heroes outfit children for school ... 3

Celebrity style benefits Youth Villages ... 3

A Tribute to Excellence, Garrard honored ... 6

Family Victories from Youth Villages Mississippi Winter 2014

A CLEAN SLATE Through Youth Villages’ MYPAC, Ladainian is rewriting his story

A complete turnaroundMom and family come together to help Sean succeed at home and school

2 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi

A message from our director

Helping Mississippi children succeed, one at a time

Our ongoing partnership with the Mississippi Division

of Medicaid has allowed us to reach out and help more

than 1,000 children through our Mississippi Youth Pro-

grams Around the Clock program. This is a milestone

that reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff as

well as the commitment of the state of Mississippi in

offering community-based alternatives to youth with

significant mental health problems.

About six years ago, Youth Villages became a

MYPAC provider through the Division of Medicaid

to help children and families where they need it

most — at home. Our goal is to work with families and assist them in creat-

ing a strong support network around the child and family to help ensure

long-term success — more than 80 percent of youth are successfully living at

home even two years after discharge.

Inside this newsletter, you can read about two youth, Ladainian and Sean,

who are doing well at home and school after receiving help through Youth

Villages’ MYPAC program.

In addition, we also highlight some of our community events, includ-

ing our recent Backpack Heroes campaign, which provided much-needed

school supplies to more than 120 children.

Our Holiday Heroes program helped hundreds of children and families

in Mississippi. As a Holiday Hero, your efforts made sure children receiving

help at Youth Villages were able to share wonderful experiences and build

happy holiday memories. But we also need your help during the rest of the

year. Call or e-mail me to find out how to get involved.

We continue to expand our foster care and transitional living programs so

more children find permanency and become successful young adults. In ad-

dition, Youth Villages has become a private mental health provider licensed

under the state of Mississippi to help ensure that all youth enrolled in our

programs have access to needed behavioral health services. Whether it is

through MYPAC, foster care or transitional living services for teens aging

out of foster care, our partnerships across the state produce positive results.

Thank you for supporting Youth Villages.

Katja Russell

Katja Russell

Executive Director of Mississippi

katja.russell@youthvillages.org

601-572-3727

YOUTH VILLAGESBOARD OF DIRECTORS

MISSISSIPPI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Bryan Jordan, Chairman

Jimmy Lackie, Vice Chairman

Matthew Tarkenton, Secretary

Paul Bower, Treasurer

Jim Barton Jr.

Eric Bolton

Marietta Davis

Judith Edge

Nicholas R. Ehlen

Jack A. Eiferman

Bill Giles

Willie Gregory

Joanna Jacobson

Karole Lloyd

Mark Medford

Johnny Pitts

Pat Ritz

Michael Rose

Richard W. Talkov

Scotland Thede

David Tyler

Patrick Lawler, CEO

Mike Bruns, Chairman Emeritus

Mississippi

Tupelo

Jackson Meridian

HattiesburgMcComb

Columbus

Hernando

Biloxi

Greenwood

Amanda Jones Tollison

Jill Beneke

Karla Steckler Tye

Kathryn Simmons

Michael Forster

Stephanie Rippee

Susan Smith

Wesla Leech

Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 3

MISSISSIPPIPROGRAM SUCCESS

The graph above represents the status of youth at one year after discharge from MYPAC through December 2013. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 60 percent.

OutcomesAt one year post dischargeAt one year post discharge

0

20

40

60

80

100

86% 81%88%

At hom

e with fam

ily

No involvem

entw

ith the law

In school or graduated

*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.

To support the

Youth Villages

Backpack Heroes

program, the

Trustmark Bank

branches of Jack-

son, Madison and

Ridgeland donat-

ed nearly $5,000

worth of backpacks and school supplies to Mississippi

children receiving help for emotional and behavioral

problems through Youth Villages.

The backpacks and school supplies helped children,

many of whom live below the poverty line, make a suc-

cessful start to the new school year.

Several Trustmark Bank branch vice presidents

gathered with Youth Villages staff to fill more than 150

backpacks with school supplies.

Stand tall for America’s most vulnerable children in

fabulous shoes.

The online custom shoe retailer Milk & Honey has

teamed with five generous celebrities to offer Youth Vil-

lages supporters an exciting new way to help children.

Kristin Chenoweth, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Cari-

Dee English, Ashley Williams and Kayla Farhang have

designed shoes for Milk & Honey to benefit the children

being helped by Youth Villages.

When you purchase a pair of these specially designed

shoes, 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Youth Villages.

Visit www.milkandhoneyshoes.com and choose your

shoes today for an easy and stylish way to help the kids

who need it most.

CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL PREPAREDBackpack Heroes provide school supplies

Program SuccessAs a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured

outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

A STEP TOWARD HELPING CHILDRENwww.milkandhoneyshoes.com

4 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi

Ladainian was already labeled as

the child who couldn’t be helped.

The stigma followed him to school.

Difficult. Physically aggressive. Au-

ditory and visual hallucinations. Fights

all the time at home and at school.

“I did get into a lot of fights,” Ladai-

nian said. “But the last two years I’ve

worked on how to not get into fights.”

His labels weren’t necessarily

unwarranted, but they went further.

People weren’t giving him a chance.

His parents felt as if no one under-

stood. His medication was constantly

changed. He was picked on at school.

Although very bright, Ladainian was

suspended or written up often at

school, and was put into a special class

for safety reasons. His family began

working with Youth Villages through

Mississippi Youth Programs Around

the Clock.

“I think he decided he was tired

of getting into trouble,” said Brian

Townsend, Youth Villages MYPAC

coordinator. “But there was a lot that

changed all at the same time that

helped him as well.”

Brian and a previous Youth Villages

coordinator showed Ladainian dif-

ferent ways to cope with frustrating

or difficult situations. Brian worked

with the family and the school and

discussed triggers that caused Ladai-

nian’s behavior issues, explained what

Ladainian had learned and how to

best handle those situations. Brian

showed the family ways to spend more

time with Ladainian so he didn’t feel

left out among his seven siblings. He

began to go fishing and spend time

together with his parents.

“I think Ladainian finally realized

he had some people on his side and

had some support,” Brian said. “Then

he saw the rewards of making good

decisions.”

Ladainian went out for the city foot-

ball team. He ran for class vice presi-

dent at his school.

“I lost by one vote,” Ladainian said.

“Next year, I’m going to run for presi-

dent.”

Now 12 years old, Ladainian’s true

personality is showing — his wit, his

charm, his energy and the countless

other things that make you smile

when you speak to him or see him.

He’s back in regular school and do-

ing well. When faced with a difficult

situation, he walks away. He’s become

closer to his siblings and his parents.

Most importantly, he’s back to being a

regular kid again.

“Brian believed in Ladainian and

showed us ways to help him,” said

Ladainian’s mom. “We also found out

we had to do some work as well. It’s so

much better now than what it was.”

LADAINIAN DECIDES ON A NEW FUTUREThe goal of the MYPAC program is to provide intensive support and assistance to families in building support

networks that will enable the child to be successful long-term in his or her own home.

The Youth VillagesMYPAC program

provides intensive home-based services through a team-based wraparound approach. In-home therapy, family

therapy, individual therapy, as well as psychiatric services are available to youth and their families if needed. In addition, our coordinators and therapists are on call 24/7 to provide support and crisis

intervention services.

Ladainian with Youth Villages MYPAC Coordi-nator Brian Townsend

Ladainian ran a close race for class vice presi-dent. He’s also playing sports.

Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 5

Sean will soon turn 12.

He’s looking forward to

junior high school, play-

ing football, continuing his

artwork and the upcom-

ing mental challenges of

being in his school’s gifted

program.

His mother, Amanda,

talks about her son with

a mother’s pride. But her

pride in her son also con-

tains the context of his jour-

ney. Not just his journey,

but the family’s.

When he was in kinder-

garten, Sean was diagnosed

with ADHD. Subsequent di-

agnoses followed as a result

of numerous behavior prob-

lems – defiance and physi-

cal and verbal aggression.

Amanda worked a difficult

schedule that required her

to be away from the home

for long periods of time,

and extended family and

babysitters then cared for

Sean.

“We went through numer-

ous babysitters,” Amanda

said. “I never knew what to

expect when I was home,

and I was anxious when I

had to work.”

She got called many

times.

“They’d say, ‘We can’t

do anything with him,’”

she said. “He’d lash out at

them, his peers and anyone

else. He was disrespectful

to adults. He even cut open

mattresses.”

He was failing at school.

But the cause was more

than Sean’s medical condi-

tion. His father lived in a

different city, and he didn’t

know how to cope with his

mother’s job that kept her

away from home every

other week. Relatives and

babysitters supervised him

differently. The mixed mes-

sages caused more prob-

lems with Sean’s behavior.

It was untenable.

Katina Veal, Youth Vil-

lagage’ Mississippi Youth

Programs Around the

Clock Primary Service

Coordinator, first met the

family at a fast-food restau-

rant and explained what

would happen.

“Sean was very well-

behaved and informative,”

Katina said. “During the

family’s first team meeting,

we created a behavior plan

for the home and a de-esca-

lation plan.”

Sean had to accept direc-

tion. Most importantly,

he had to respect author-

ity and accept being told

no. Youth Villages Mental

Health Therapist Kim-

berly Rose helped Sean

cope with his environment

through breathing and re-

laxation techniques. Fam-

ily meetings with aunts,

grandparents, babysitters

and even Sean’s friends

resulted in consistent mes-

sages.

“Each adult had strengths

to use toward decreasing

Sean’s negative behaviors,”

Katina said. “We showed

school officials what we

were doing, and they got on

board with helping Sean.”

Kimberly continued

working with Sean. They

found effective and ap-

propriate ways for Sean to

communicate his feelings

as well as ways to dissipate

his aggression.

And then, there was foot-

ball. In addition to being a

great way for Sean to re-

lease aggression, the sport

also introduced discipline

and responsibility.

Sean is back in regular

school. Amanda says he

still has episodes, but he

acts and behaves more like

a typical 11-year-old.

“It just shows how things

can change when everyone

gets on board to help,” she

said. “We’re continuing to

work, but it’s so much bet-

ter now.”

COLLECTIVE APPROACH WORKS BEST FOR SEANFamily, school and Sean work together to achieve success

MYPAC provides intensive services to youth with significant emotional and behavioral problems and their families where they need it the most — at home. For information, please call Reginald Starks toll-free at 866-604-6255

or e-mail Reginald.Starks@youthvillages.org.

Sean, Katina, Amanda and Kimberly

6 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi

HONORING EXCELLENCEYouth Villages Missis-

sippi recently honored

Susan Garrard, presi-

dent and CEO of the

Mississippi Children’s

Museum, at its first an-

nual Tribute to Excel-

lence.

The event recognizes

community leaders

who have made a great

impact in the lives of

Mississippi’s children

and showcases Youth

Villages’ outcomes in

restoring and strength-

ening families. Through her leadership, Garrard

has created a place where thousands of Mississippi

children can be inspired and learn in a fun and

positive environment. Nearly 200 people attended

the event at the Country Club of Jackson and the

event raised more than $23,000 for Youth Villages

Mississippi.

Garrard was honored for her efforts to care for and educate Mississippi children privately and as president and CEO of the Mississippi Children’s Museum.

Above, Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler with Garrard, center, and Fred Burns. Below, Katja Russell, executive director of Youth Villages Missis-sippi, with Hu Meena, CEO of C Spire Wireless

PlatinumC Spire Wireless

GoldMagnolia Health Plan

Thank you to our sponsors

SilverCapitol Resources LLC

Tellus Operating Group LLC

Table SponsorSusan and William Smith

BronzeBankPlus

Butler Snow

Amanda Jones Tollison

McNeely Plastics

SupportingBreese Law Office PLLC

Community Trust Bank

Jack and Sigrid Conway

Karla Steckler Tye

Kathryn Simmons

Dr. Michael Forster

Nick Greener

Pileum Corporation

On Demand Medical Testing

Maggie and Seymour Pooley

River Hills Bank

Speed Commercial Real Estate

Nerhus Properties

Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 7

There are numerous ways to

help. Mentor or foster a child,

volunteer or financially donate

to our programs.

Your support can have a

direct impact on the future of

hundreds of children we help

every day in Mississippi.

Often, our children come

from extremely disadvantaged

situations.

In Mississippi, we can accept clothing or

household items for children of all ages and

families. For information on how you can make

a difference, please contact:

JOIN OUR EFFORTS

Become a force for families

Whether you’re planning

such a gift as writing a will or

setting up a trust for Youth Vil-

lages, we have a portion of our

website devoted to donations

and planned giving.

It contains information that

may be valuable to you. Sim-

ply go to youthvillages.org/

plannedgiving and you’re

there.

You will find an introduction to planned giv-

ing, and a category titled “How Can I ...,” which

lists all the vehicles included in a plan, including

wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock or

gifts of real estate. In addition, there is a section

on “why do I need a will,” a glossary of terms, an

estate intention form and much more. For infor-

mation, please contact Steve Benskin at 901-251-

4820 or e-mail steve.benskin@youthvillages.org.

Thinking of a planned gift?

Steve Benskin

André Conway

YV Protector ($5,000 to $9,999)

C Spire Wireless

YV Builder ($1,000 to $4,999)John & Lind Bussey

Capitol Resources LLCHiram Creekmore

Terry Godfrey Magnolia Health Plan

Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling HallTellus Operating Group LLC

Friend of Youth Villages (up to $999)Martha Andre BancorpSouth

BankPlusHenry Barbour

Buddie BarksdaleKenneth and Lucette Bennett

Dean and Ann Blackwell Paige Branch

Robert E. Branch Kim & Katie Breese

Breese Law Office PLLCBrooks BuchananBuffalo Wild Wings

Casey Butts Lorene Christmon

Kimberly Hampton Clark Jack & Sigrid Conway

James Corley L. P. Daniel

Ralph DanielRichard David

Polly Dean Mary Everett

Mayo & Renee FlyntAlton Folks

Michael Forster Senator Hillman Frazier

Friends of the Ridgeland LibraryJohn & Jan Gadow

Nick Greener Carlvin A. Greenway

Russell Harrison Thomas Hawthorne

Tish & Haden HughesGayle P. Johnson

Michael Jones Martin & Betty Jue

Savitri Kamath Charles & Virgi Lindsay

Darden & Molly Macwade John C. McCantsMcNeely Plastics

Scott & Starr MillerJude and Fred Muse

David Napier Nehrus Properties

Sherry NoxOn Demand Medical Testing

Carolyn Pillow Paula Pixler

Seymour & Maggie Pooley Stephen Rozman

St. Philip’s Episcopal ChurchKathryn SimmonsCharles R. Smith

Cynthia Smith Susan SmithButler Snow

Speed Commercial Real EstatePaul & Cindy Tauchar

Amanda Tollison Tracy Topps

Carolyn Townes Trustmark National Bank

Prentiss Turman Karla Steckler Tye

Irene Walton Ashley Warren

Lee WeeksPaula Whitfield

Kelley & M’Lee WilliamsGeorgia Wise

Brandi Worthington

Honorariums

Lee Rone Frances Morrison Waymond L. Rone

Susan Garrard Bill & Hope Bynum

The following donors made

gifts of $50 or more to Youth Vil-

lages between Jan. 1 and Oct.

31, 2013. The board of direc-

tors and staff of Youth Villages

gratefully acknowledge these

thoughtful contributions.

If you made a contribution

during this time but it is not

listed, please call the Youth

Villages Community Relations

department at 601-572-3750.

Thank you

André Conway

601-572-3750

Andre.Conway@youthvillages.org

YOUTH VILLAGES805 South Wheatley Street, Suite 240Ridgeland, MS 39157(Address Service Requested)

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES

Please e-mail andre.conway@youthvillages.org or call 601-572-3750 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

New Heights Mississippi is published by Youth VillagesManaging Editor: Katja Russell

Associate Editor: Chris Pennington

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to providing the most effective local solutions to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. We help more than 22,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders.

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than22,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities:Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, DothanArkansas: Jonesboro, Little RockFlorida: Lakeland, MiamiGeorgia: Atlanta, DouglasvilleIndiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, Jeffersonville, MadisonMassachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, WorcesterMississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, TupeloNew Hampshire: ManchesterNorth Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, WaynesvilleOregon: PortlandTennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City,Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, ParisWashington, D.C.