New Beginnings
As we look back
on 2005, we see that it was a banner year for TLC. There were some
very significant accomplishments, most of which you have read about
in our 2005 newsletters. But the most important accomplishment of
2005 is that we served a record number of children, youth, and
families!
We could not
have served the thousands of kids we did without a highly committed
staff, generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and resource families
(foster parents) who literally opened their hearts and homes to
abused and neglected kids.
As 2006 unfolds,
there will be great challenges that TLC's children, youth and
families will face. I have no doubt that with the dedicated work of
our staff, the high level of commitment of our volunteers, and the
generosity of our donors, this year will be one of the most
successful in our history.
In closing, I
simply want to remind you that TLC is a community of people with
different talents and interests but with a common mission to provide
hope to the neediest children in our service area. Please partner
with TLC in 2006 to again be a provider of hope.
Warmest personal
regards,
Bob Drummond,
Ed.D
President and
CEO
CHANGING
LIVES...
Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center
Recently, TLC
had the opportunity to touch the lives of four very special
children. A group of siblings ranging in age from 7 to 13 had been
taken into custody by law enforcement after one of the children
reported that her father was sexually abusing her. Her mother and
other siblings were aware of the abuse, and yet nothing had been
done to stop it. The four children were taken to the Juvenile Intake
and Assessment Center (JIAC) and matters were complicated upon
discovering that the children's parents were in the United States
illegally.
The children
agreed to participate in the JIAC assessment process and it was
determined that they should be placed in TLC's Resource Family
Services (foster care) program. While waiting on word as to whether
there was an available foster home, the children enjoyed snacks and
movies. Word came that one of TLC's resource families would be able
to take all four children into their home, which gave the children
much pleasure to know that they would be able to stay together.
Before departing
the JIAC for their new foster home, the children thanked the JIAC
staff for giving them food and snacks. One child voiced to a TLC
staff member, “You are all so nice here, thank you.” The staff at
JIAC was amazed to see the positive change in all the children's
attitudes. They had come to them scared and crying but left playing
and communicating openly.
The JIAC program
at TLC is available 24 hours a day to provide a single point of
contact for Children in Need of Care and Juvenile Offenders who come
into contact with law enforcement. The intake counselors provide
crisis intervention, assessment, and referral services to children
and families to deter them from further involvement with the court
system. In 2005, JIAC performed 1,858 assessments on youth ranging
in age from infancy through 17. Many of these children were
runaways, victims of abuse or neglect, truants, or juvenile
offenders. JIAC was able to refer 1,152 youth to community-based
services in order to address and better their situation.
Many youth and
children come to the JIAC program during what may be one of the most
frightening times of their life. The staff strives to make this time
as positivel as possible. They made a big difference for the four
scared siblings who left feeling safe and happy to be together.
JIAC's mission is to concentrate their effort towards the best
interest of all youth who come to them.
Juvenile Intervention Services
Another program
that TLC offers is the Juvenile Intervention Services (JIS) which
encompasses three areas: Juvenile Offender Case Management, Truancy
Case Management, and Family Case Management.
These programs
have helped many youth, like Katie a 16 year-old female who was
referred to the truancy program. Katie is a young mother who
struggled with low self-esteem and truancy from school. She also
carries the burden of most household responsibilities because her
mother does not speak or read English. When Katie was admitted into
the JIS program she desperately needed assistance in facing the
problems in her life. After working with her mentor, Katie's
self-esteem began to improve as well as her attendance in school. At
the end of the program Katie had 0 unexcused absences and 5 A's on
her report card!
Since 1999 JIS
has offered 12-week programs for youth like Katie who are seeking to
improve family relations, school attendance, and increase positive
interactions. In 2005 the Truancy Case Management program served 194
youth. In 2004 they became part of a pilot project with local middle
schools to provide education and preventative services.
In 2005 the
Juvenile Offender Case Management served 133 youth. This program
strives to prevent youth from re-offending. Of the youth who
successfully completed the program, 94% had no additional juvenile
offender charges after a 12-month follow-up.
The Family Case
Management program served 21 families in 2005. This program aims to
reduce family conflict and violence and prevent the removal of
children from their homes.
JIS has helped
many children like Katie deal with issues of truancy, family
conflict, and juvenile offenses. The case workers and staff at JIS
are thankful that during these hard times they can be a source of
guidance and hope for the youth that they serve.
Shaping the Future through Estate Planning
A thorough and
complete estate plan is one of the greatest gifts you can give to
your family. A carefully developed estate plan will provide greater
financial security for you and your family and make it possible to
support worthwhile charitable organizations like TLC.
As a “planned
giver” you may very well be able to save more taxes, increase your
retirement income, or provide more cost-effective support for a
loved one such as a spouse, child, grandchild, or an elderly parent.
But you also have the opportunity to make your own personal
statement by helping to shape TLC's future by leaving a lasting
legacy for generations to come.
Consider the
good you can accomplish and the impact you can have on children and
youth by leaving a portion of your estate to TLC. For additional
information about gift planning ideas or to request our free
E-brochures on a variety of estate planning topics, contact Tim
Keeton at (913) 764-2887 or click
here and visit our gift and estate planning website.
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