Title

Building a Path to Resilience

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

West Virginia University

Second Presenter's Institution

West Virginia University

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Vernon

Strand #1

Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

We all have different coping mechanisms for dealing with stress. Unfortunately, children in low income, poverty and/or dealing with parental substance abuse issues have more than their share of stress and may have role models who deal with stress in unhealthy ways. Researchers have termed this stress "toxic stress." This workshop will address the social & emotional skills needed by children living in high risk environments. A tool chest of appropriate ways to release stress and learn resiliency will be addressed, to build mental and physical health. Activities are hands on and have been effectively utilized with disenfranchised youth in drug ravaged communities via 4-H, mentoring programs, by teachers during the school day as well as out of school time programs. This session is led by two Extension professionals with over 60 years combined programming successes with youth with high risk indicators. Free and/or inexpensive resources will be made available to participants to take back and utilize immediately with direct engagement of youth.

Brief Program Description

This program is a series of free lessons which will be provided to help youth learn about the many different levels of stress and how their response can not only be a choice, but an important part of their resilience. Adolescents can build assets that will protect and promote their ability to improve their personal health and well-being. These lessons will serve to assist youth to know when stress is overwhelming what their choices of reaction can be. The goals are to assist youth to understand what factors they can identify and control in their otherwise chaotic lives.

Summary

Educators will be provided with a series of hands on lessons that help youth learn about the many different levels of stress and how their response can not only be a choice, but an important part of a youth's resilience - or success story. The workshop will provide educators with the ability to help youth identify and build assets that will protect and promote their ability to improve their personal health and well-being.

There are many stress events in a child's life. Learning how to cope effectively with stress can enhance a child's positive self-identity by helping them feel more control over their destiny. The essential skills of critical thinking, planning, and decision-making are needed for cognitive and social-emotional competence and can result in lifelong repercussions.

After this workshop, educators will be able to help youth learn that it is helpful to know when stress is overwhelming and what their choices of reaction can be. The lessons presented will also assist with identifying internal and external assets to help youth with situations beyond their control. Youth will understand that taking no action is, in fact, a choice and action. The purpose of this workshop is to give educators a series of lessons that will help youth:

  • examine ideas and facts about the effects of stress
  • expand their ideas around the concept of courage
  • understand that taking small steps toward goals can help them feel empowered
  • broaden their understanding of who to seek out for resources and support in times of stress/distress

Participants will be given a jump drive with all materials presented and links where additional materials may be located.

Evidence

This workshop will utilize research and materials including Youth Thrive: Protective and Promotive Factors, Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, A full literature review will also be presented and shared that includes the latest research from peer reviewed journals such as Social Work Today, NW Children's Fund and others.

Biographical Sketch

Nila Cobb, has 16 years of experience with West Virginia University Extension Service as a 4-H Agent and has worked with the West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network for 7 years, currently the Assistant Director for WVSAN. Previously, working in Social Work, much of her experience has focused on working with youth living in distressed areas of West Virginia. She has enjoyed many successful years of sharing her research and knowledge in Extension and afterschool trainings, both throughout the state of West Virginia and nationally. In her relatively new role, Nila is working as an Extension Specialist focused on Health Promotions and Youth at Risk.

Brenda Pruett has enjoyed her work as the Mercer County Extension Agent for 4-H for over 20 years. During that time, Brenda has focused on Youth living in high risk environments utilizing such national program models as Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR). Brenda's knowledge of working with youth, combined with her efforts to develop a working curriculum to share with others has extended her work beyond the boundaries of her county and state.

Keyword Descriptors

toxic stress, coping, resiliency, protective factors, goals and empowerment

Presentation Year

2017

Start Date

3-7-2017 10:15 AM

End Date

3-7-2017 11:30 AM

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Mar 7th, 10:15 AM Mar 7th, 11:30 AM

Building a Path to Resilience

Vernon

This program is a series of free lessons which will be provided to help youth learn about the many different levels of stress and how their response can not only be a choice, but an important part of their resilience. Adolescents can build assets that will protect and promote their ability to improve their personal health and well-being. These lessons will serve to assist youth to know when stress is overwhelming what their choices of reaction can be. The goals are to assist youth to understand what factors they can identify and control in their otherwise chaotic lives.