Youth Service Center Staff
Janet White, Coordinator,
Bridgett Gambrel, Assistant Coordinator
School Based Clinic
Rebecca Hensley, RN
Hope Clem, Support Staff
Harlan Comprehensive Care Counseling
Thanh Helton, Mental Health Counselor
Michelle Helton, Mental Health Counselor
Purpose
The Harlan County High School Youth Services Center’s mission is to improve student achievement through the removal of non-cognitive barriers to learning. This will be accomplished by promoting the flow of resources and support to families in ways to strengthen their functioning and enhance the growth and development of individual members and the Family Unit.
Who Is Served
The Center is open to all Harlan County High School students and their immediate families. The Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex religion, age or disability in the provision of services.
Services
Services provided by the Center are based on student, school, and parent needs assessments and components outlined in the grant. The following is an example of programs the Center provides during the school year in each component:
FRYSC Corps - Literacy Tutor/Coach
FRYSC CORPS Mission:
FRYSC CORPS is an AmeriCorps project, with members committed to serving the children of Kentucky in partnership with caring families, supportive schools and resource centers, active communities and dedicated volunteers, providing literacy-rich opportunities to assist K-12 students in improving their reading skills which has an impact on the rest of their lives.
FRYSC CORPS works with the state’s Division of Family Resource and Youth services Centers. The Corporation for National Community Service funds FRYSC CORPS through a competitive federal grant that provides a living allowance, health benefits and training for 25 individuals to become reading tutors at host FRYSC's throughout districts in targeted Kentucky counties. FRYSC CORPS members are AmeriCorps members who commit to a year of service with a possibility to serve a total of two years. They serve under the supervision of FRYSC coordinators in cooperation with principals and teachers to provide individual and group reading tutoring with students identified as at risk for academic failure.
The Literacy Coach for HCHS is Josh Cole. To make a student referral and for more information on how to become a member, please use the following documents:
› Mission
› Student Referral Form
› Data Brochure
› Member Application
Referral to Health & Social Services
School Based Clinic – The Center contracts with the Cumberland Valley Health Department to provide medical services to our students, their immediate families and school staff. The Clinic is located in the school for student convenience. The Clinic is open during regular school days from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Referral to Mental Health Counseling
The Center contracts with Harlan Cumberland Comprehensive Care to provide Counseling to students, their immediate families, and school staff. The counselors office is located in the Youth Service Center Conference
Room. Referrals are made to the counselor for anger management, truancy, bullying, coping with problems that occur in families and
Various classes or assembly programs about emotional maturity, self esteem, social problems, etc. are provided throughout the school year.
The Counselor is open during regular school days from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dental and hearing referrals.
STD, birth control, and teen pregnancy programs
Baby Think It Over Program – YSC provides Baby Think It Overs and an Empathy Belly to the Family Living class. Teacher uses these items to teach students about abstinence and parenthood. Students or parents can also check out these items at the YSC.
Referral to Parents as Teachers – A program for expectant teen parents provided through the Harlan Health Department and Hall Parent as Teachers program.
Referral to Social Service Agencies
Employment Counseling, Training & Placement
Career and job skills materials and videos - kept in the Center for student, teacher and parent use.
Student exposure to employment opportunities – field trips, Job Fair, Career Day, job shadowing etc.
Job Skills Workshops – tax preparation, reality store, interviewing, etc.
Community Service Projects for students
Summer & Part Time Job Development
Summer Career Training Program – The Center employs 10-15 students every summer to work in careers they wish to obtain after graduation. Businesses volunteer supervision and experience while the Center pays the students minimum wage to work 20 hours a week for six weeks during the summer.
Refer students to Employment Services, SYETP, WIA and local businesses for job openings
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Counseling
Comprehensive Care – YSC contracts with Comprehensive Care to do after-school drug/alcohol counseling for students and their immediate families.
Various Drug/Alcohol abuse class and assembly programs and activities are provided throughout the school year.
Educational materials concerning Drug/Alcohol abuse are kept in the Center for student, parent, and teacher use.
Game Room – the YSC game room is open after school until 4:00 p.m. for students to have something to do after school.
Comprehensive Student/Family Services
The Center helps families in need find resources or provide items necessary for students to come to school and achieve. (clothing, hygiene products, food, etc.)
Refer students to tutoring
Provide computers and space for students to do their homework after school until 4:00 p.m.
Incentive programs to promote high achievement, attendance, and social improvement.
Arts and humanities and school safety programs
Prom Dress Program – YSC has approximately 50 prom dresses for student or family use.
Clothing Closet – YSC has a clothing closet open to students and families.
YSC gives away items donated as we receive them or during planned give-a-ways.
Recreational & Social Activities
Game Room – open after school until 4:00 p.m.
Provide various recreational activities for students during the school year.
Y-Club – YSC sponsors the Y-Club. It is affiliated with the YMCA and students are involved in various community service projects, recreational activities and learn about our government and the governments of other countries. To join student needs to get a form at the Center.
Parental Involvement
Provide a welcoming atmosphere for parents at the Center and the school.
Parental Workshops and informational programs – financial aide, Scholarship Night, Job Fair, Freshman Orientation, Open house, etc.
Advertise YSC and school events for parental awareness.