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See how our Youth Development Program is Helping its Participants Excel

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Chris Pack is a 20-year-old graphic design major at IUPUI. He’s taken part in Adult & Child Health’s Youth Development Program for three years.

As he sat at the program’s annual art show, displaying his photography, he talked about his future plans. They include becoming a creative director somewhere, and establishing scholarships to help kids in similar situations.

“This program is amazing,” Pack said. “I’ve always wanted to inspire people through my artwork. I don’t want to just do it for me. I want to be for other people. What’s the point of achieving anything if you can’t impact people?”

The art show is just one of several activities and initiatives the program pushes to improve its youths’ lives.

Chris Pack shows off his photography Aug. 14 at the Youth Development Program Art Show.

RELATED CONTENT: Spotlight on Youth Development

What else is Youth Development doing?

The Youth Development Program’s efforts don’t stop with an art show. Here are a few of its latest initiatives:

  • Transportation is the highest rated barrier around youth accessing services through the Youth Development program. The youth partnered with IndyGo to host a transportation day to learn and grow their confidence using public transportation. They went to the Julia Carson Transit Center downtown to learn how to read bus route maps, basic bus etiquette, and practiced the difficult bus locks on the front of the bus.
  • Additionally, the Central Indiana Bicycling Association provided Adult & Child with a $750 grant to distribute bicycles, helmets and locks to youths.
  • They offer the Healthy Teens Connections Program through the Marion County Courts. A judge will refer a youth to an Adult & Child staff member. The staff member and the youth will meet 1-on-1 to provide the youth with sexual and reproductive health education. They’ll also link youth to community resources based on each youth’s needs
  • Health Care Education and Training Inc. (HCET) awarded Youth Development team funds to implement a new adolescent leadership program. Lead clinician Angel Crone is leading a group of eight youths called PATCH (Providers And Teens Communicating for Health). The PATCH Teen Educators share their insights into the concerns, preferences, and realities of today’s youth in health care settings. They challenge providers who attend the workshops to consider ways in which they could be more “youth friendly” through policies and practice within their own organizations.

How Healthy Teens Connections works

“Our goal in this was to really try to reduce teen pregnancy and increase access to equal sexual and reproductive health care from the court bench on,” said Amanda Reuter, Youth Development team leader, referring to the HTC programming. “Having key stakeholders buy in from the start of an innovative program allows community partners and other organizations to carry value and importance to the overall goal.”

Youth Development’s Healthy Teen Connections Program offers individual hourlong meetings at A&C and in Marion County courts. Youth lead and drive the meetings; they’re not forced. Reuter said they’ve served over 400 system-involved youth in the last two years.

A&C partners with Children’s Bureau, Valle Vista, V.O.I.C.E.S. and its own Therapeutic Foster Care program to connect and provide HTC programming to system-involved youth. HCET also provides support for this project.

Reuter presented the HTC program June 25 at the 2019 Family and Youth Service Bureau Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grantee Conference in New Orleans. The presentation focused on the innovative approaches on building supports, and partnering with courts to improve adolescent health care access.

RELATED CONTENT: Learn more about our School-Based services and how they help students excel.

The Youth Development team consists of [front row, L to R] Duane Curry, Caitlen Brandt, Amanda Reuter, Hannah Milner and Anthony England, along with [back row, L to R] Angel Crone, Katelyn Shewman and Mason Wanders.

Who’s on the team, and how is it funded?

The Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction awarded the Youth Development Program its Transition Aged Youth grant each of the last four years. It amounts to $150,000 each year, and helps fund two full-time Youth Development Specialists and a part-time peer position.

The team meets with youth four times weekly in a group setting and then transitions into the community to address individual treatment goals.

Thanks in part to the grant money and the team’s efforts, the group meets with youth ages 12 to 24 frequently. Reuter works with youth development specialists Duane Curry, Anthony England, Hannah Milner and Mason Wanders, along with Healthy Teen Coordinator Caitlen Brandt and Crone, a lead clinician.

Throughout TAY programming, Youth Development embeds community service and pro-social activities  into the program. This allows youth to participate in different experiences throughout their community, which allows self-efficacy as they transition into adulthood.

“There’s such a stigma about mental health,” Reuter said. “This (program) provides a safe space for you to be you, and allows youth to receive support around future goals.”

RELATED CONTENT: I Took Mental Health First Aid Training. Here’s Why You Should, Too.

Youth Development’s fun activities

This is one example of the artwork that was on display at the Youth Development Program’s Aug. 14 art show.

The art show drew about 25 youth participants, along with trusted adults, including parents, educators and other mentors. It included paintings, drawings, cutouts, photography, poetry readings, musical performances, storytelling and other expressive acts.

The group’s currently planning an outdoor Fall Bash, which is a recruitment event of sorts to encourage youth to join the program. Reuter said they’ve done the event, which includes a DJ and food, for about five years.

The youth set the structure for several of the Youth Development programs. That’s intentional, Reuter said, “because it increases investment in programming. The youth development program leads with youth choice and voice at the forefront of their mission.

“Seeing youth comfortable in taking ownership in this space and helping advocate and bridge the gap between services and resources in this community is rewarding,” Reuter added. “They show up as they are, and it helps reduce the stigma around mental health in our community, which allows them to get connected to services in a meaningful way.”

RELATED CONTENT: How Our LGBTQ Taskforce is Making our Agency and Community More Inclusive

Support for this project is provided by Health Care Education and Training, Inc. (HCET) through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) Competitive Grants under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) HHS-2015-ACF-ACYF-0984.

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Parental Mental Health Tips

Across the behavioral health field, we recognize the importance of offering support to caregivers, whether they sought our help on behalf of their children or for themselves. We also know there are many caregivers who don’t walk through our doors who need and deserve help.  In August, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents and guardians.   “(Caregivers) are navigating traditional hardships of parenting — worrying about money and safety, struggling to get enough sleep — as well as new stressors, including omnipresent screens, a youth mental health crisis and widespread fear about the future,” Dr. Murthy wrote in a New York Times opinion column at the time of the advisory’s release.  When caregivers come to us with these concerns, Brightli’s partners help the full families of the clients we serve to thrive. Whether that’s by providing childcare in recovery services inpatient facilities, connecting caregivers of youths in substance use recovery with family support specialists, offering safe and judgment-free group therapy options tailored to caregivers’ issues or through other avenues, we strive to help. Below, you’ll find tips and support opportunities from our behavioral health experts that can help anyone address some of the key issues presented in the surgeon general’s advisory.  Ways to build community and address loneliness among caregivers  Two-thirds of parents say they don’t talk about their stress for fear of burdening others, according to an American Psychological Association study cited in the advisory. At the same time, parents and guardians – and especially single parents and guardians – experience loneliness at higher rates than other U.S. adults.  Loneliness is a challenge many autism caregivers can experience as they address situations that are new to them, said Seth Allen, a leader in Autism Services at Brightli.   “It is really important for autism caregivers to get connected with supports for their own well-being and self-confidence,” Allen said. His team works to create support groups among clients and to also point clients to groups in the communities he serves.   Intentional connections can benefit any caregiver experiencing loneliness. Here are some ways caregivers can build them:   Building your child’s self-worth can help you build your own  Keylee Tesar, who helped establish a program that strengthens relationships among foster and adoptive parents and their children, said that empowering children to believe in themselves also helps caregivers nurture their own sense of self-worth.   “When we show children love, respect and encouragement, we remind ourselves of our own strength and value,” Tesar said.   The program features an element called “character praise,” in which caregivers highlight and celebrate behaviors they see in their children that they want to flourish. Some examples include:   Character praise not only enhances positive behaviors in children, but also provides immediate rewards for caregivers by activating the brain’s reward system through the release of dopamine and oxytocin. This practice boosts mood and reinforces positive behavior while fostering connection and well-being for caregivers and children. Practicing character praise with the caregivers in your life can provide similar rewards. As the surgeon general’s advisory reminds us, “Caregivers need care, too.”  Practice the six elements of self-care  Amy Hill, a leader in youth learning and development, has worked with caregivers for years to address their stress levels and improve mental well-being. She encourages caregivers to practice these six elements of self-care (with examples included):   As a whole, Hill said, they can help you practice mindfulness and become more aware of thoughts, feelings and the surrounding environment in the moment. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental focus and boost compassion, among its benefits.  It takes a village to care for a child; we want to contribute to yours  Our Be Well team offers a monthly Self-Care Challenge, an activity designed to help you improve your mental health through intentional practices. November’s challenge is tailored to caregivers and offers a Bingo card filled with activities that offer caregivers time to take care of themselves so they can continue to best support our youth. They include items like:   You can access the full November Self-Care Challenge anytime you need it by clicking this link. And you can keep up with the latest Be Well efforts by bookmarking bewellcommunity.org.  It’s OK to seek professional help.  Caregivers are doing the best they can with the information, resources and experiences they have had in their lives. Giving parents a safe and judgement-free space to learn, grow and heal benefits them, their children and the community. That space is available in a therapeutic behavioral health setting. If you need help, please reach out to our professional team to learn about the many options we offer. If you need immediate help in a crisis, it is only a call or text away by dialing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line.  
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Veteran’s Day 2024

November 11th became a nationally recognized day to honor and acknowledge the contributions of all living American Veterans in any branch of service when Public Law 380 was approved on June 1, 1954. Since then, communities throughout the United States have celebrated with parades and ceremonies to show gratitude for those who served their country. Veterans take many risks in the line of duty that take can take a toll not only on their physical health, but also their mental well-being. Exposure to high-stress situations, long periods of time away from home, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and difficulties in adjusting to civilian life after service are just some of the factors that can contribute to poor mental health for veterans. An increasing number of veterans experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and/or substance use disorders, which can sometimes lead to additional difficulties such as poverty or homelessness. Please click here to see statistics provided by the Housing Assistance Council. For over 12 years, Adult & Child Health (A&C) has provided necessary care and resources through the Supported Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program, having served over 400 Hoosier veterans and their families this year alone. The purpose of the SSVF program is to promote housing stability among low-income veteran families who reside in, or are transitioning to, permanent housing. In addition to providing housing assistance, the program provides services that include (but are not limited to) the following: case management, assistance to obtaining other VA services/benefits, financial planning, food resources, transportation, childcare, linkages to primary and mental health care, and outreach. Our SSVF teams serve Marion, Johnson, Boone, Clay, Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, Parke, Tippecanoe, Shelby, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. Please click here for an informational flier that includes program qualifications. In addition to serving Indiana veterans, A&C is proud to have several veterans on staff including Emily Pence and NaTasha Allen who have shared their experiences for a special Veterans Day Employee Spotlight. It is with tremendous gratitude that we honor Emily, NaTasha, and the thousands of others who have served our country. Thank you for your service. Employee Spotlight: Emily Pence I was a member of the United States Army (Hoah!) in April 1989 and ended my service in June 1990. I initially began my service in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), then went to Fort Jackson in North Carolina (as it was named at the time) for basic training. Afterward, I went to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas to complete my A.I.T., which job-specific training – my Military Occupational Specialty (M.O.S.) was Patriot Missile Crew Member. I served in this role in Ansbach, Germany for my permanent duty station. While stationed in Germany, I personally experienced an event with one of my leaders, memories of which led to my developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My lived experience as a veteran with a diagnosed mental health disorder has allowed me the unique capability to assist veterans who have gone through similar situations while understanding “veteran talk.” Employee Spotlight: NaTasha Allen I served in the served in the US Army for a total of three years. I entered the military as a Private and later transitioned to a Non-Commission Officer (NCO) with the rank of Sargeant. While stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, 101st Airborne/Assault Division, I deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom and completed two tours in Iraq war zones – Kuwait, Mosul, Q-West, Baghdad, and beyond. My military time taught me strength, courage, and the importance of perseverance despite obstacles. I learned to speak up for myself, to see my worth and value rather than viewing myself as “just a number”. It taught me leadership, compassion, discipline, and the true value friendship. These skills have allowed me to be empathic with Veterans from all walks of life – from Privates to Generals, everyone’s treated with respect and dignity, without judgement of age, race, ethnicity, gender, beliefs.   In my current role at A&C, I have the privilege to meet with Veterans where they are in their journey of healing and recovery to provide support and resources as they work toward adjusting to civilian life.

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Miller, Sarah

Sarah Miller, PMHNP-BC

Sarah Miller works with the addictions team, general psychiatry for adolescents and adults, and the competency restoration team. She is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her specialties are working in addictions and with people who experience serious mental illness.

Miller graduated from Indiana University with a psychology degree and went back to school for nursing. She received her nursing degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and worked in a nursing home and also spent time working in a group home with adolescents. She received her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

She enjoys hanging out with her family and her two dogs, and going to sporting events.

Joanna Chambers, MD

Dr. Joanna Chambers is a psychiatrist who began seeing Adult & Child Health patients in November 2021. She graduated from Medical College of Georgia with her Doctorate of Medicine in 1996 and completed her residency in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to bringing a wealth of experience, she currently serves as an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine where she teaches Clinical Psychiatry. She is certified in Addiction Medicine and has a special interest in treating pregnant and postpartum women. She is President of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry Organization as well as a sitting member of many medical association boards. Recently, she has won the Residents’ Award for Teaching Excellence in 2020 from Indiana University and has received “Best Doctors Award” in 2010, 2011, and 2014. Dr. Chambers is incredibly active in the medical, academic, and research realms of medicine. She is currently accepting new patients on Wednesdays.