Cleveland Metropolitan School District Family Academy
The Family & Children First Council has played an integral role in assisting the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in developing a network of programs and services individually tailored and delivered to children and their families in their neighborhood. These services address barriers to learning and youth development. The Family Academy builds upon the strengths and assets that already exist for CMSD families to create healthy home learning environments. The Family Academy seeks to actively build strong community partnerships among businesses, churches, universities, community organizations, parent groups, student groups and government institutions. These partnerships provide opportunities and/or resources for school district families to engage in their neighborhood through family development programs and events, community development programs and events and family education.
Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Committee
This county-wide initiative is led by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. A team of local and county agencies works to identify and assess where DMC for juveniles is taking place. With this information, the Committee is working toward intervention strategies with the goal of reducing DMC over time.
Health Care
The Family & Children First Council is represented on the Cuyahoga County Health Care Council which focuses on family health care and includes teams that focus on the health care of youth. These committees are comprised of health care professionals and community agencies, along with local city and county representatives.
Mental Health in Schools
Works with schools, parents and students to identify mental health issues and makes necessary linkages to mental health services.
Transitional Youth Project
This county-wide initiative is led by Voices for Ohio’s Children, the Cuyahoga County Transitional Youth Project group. It has two sub-committees: Youth Space and Policy and System Change. The Family & Children First Council holds the position of chairperson for the Youth Space Committee. The Youth Space Committee will generate opportunities in which youth can network, communicate, access information, programs and services. The Policy and System Change Committee is currently formalizing a strategic alliance between Voices and the Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) by identifying a leadership team from Voices and the MHAC to lead this project and holding facilitated discussions to develop a Transitional Youth Project work plan.
Currently, the Transitional Youth Project and its partners are organizing a youth summit scheduled for January or February 2009. The youth summit will give participants an opportunity to engage in workshops, panel discussions and activities to address challenges and issues relating to healthcare/behavioral, housing, workforce development and education relating to young people.
For more information please contact Yvonne C. Hunnicutt, at 216.881.7860
Truancy Prevention Through Mediation
Families work with school staff, and social service agencies, to address the root causes of attendance problems. Research has shown that the combination of mediation and counseling along with connections between the family, other family supports, the schools and the community can significantly reduce truancy.
What is Scenarios USA?
Scenarios USA is a national non-profit organization that gives teens the reins to create their own media on issues that shape their lives, such as HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, peer-pressure, communication, drug/alcohol use, violence and self-esteem. The mission is to help young people make healthier and safer decisions about their lives and relationships by sharing their ideas, imagination, and knowledge with their peers.
When was Scenarios USA founded?
In 1998, by Maura Minsky and Kristen Joiner. Maura has worked in film and television since 1987 and Kristen has worked internationally in reproductive health rights since 1991. They still run Scenarios USA as Co-Executive Directors.
What does Scenarios USA do?
Scenarios USA hosts the annual “What’s the Real Deal?” Contest in which youth, ages 12-22, are asked to write stories about their choices and behaviors in relationships, particularly during crucial decision-making moments. The winning writers, partnered with feature film directors, make their stories into short films for national distribution. The films are produced in the hometowns of the teen writers, where they are involved in every step of the process. The young people and directors premiere their films in New York City, which launches their distribution across the country.
How many teens have participated in the Scenarios USA program?
10,000 teens have written stories for Scenarios USA since 1999.
How many films has Scenarios USA made thus far?
Twelve films, and we’re making four more in 2006-2007.
Who are the directors who have worked with Scenarios?
Michael Apted [Gorillas in the Mist], Jamie Babbit [The Quiet], Adam Davidson [The Lunch Date - Academy Award®-winner], Griffin Dunne [Practical Magic], David Frankel [The Devil Wears Prada], David Koepp [Secret Window], Hector Galán [The Forgotten Americans], Tamara Jenkins [Slums of Beverly Hills], Doug Liman [Mr. & Mrs. Smith], Jim McKay [Everyday People], Alison Maclean [Jesus’ Son], Jesse Peretz [The Chateau], Gina Prince-Bythewood [Love & Basketball], Kinan Valdez [El Teatro Campesino], Eva Vives [Raising Victor Vargas], Hannah Weyer [La Boda], and Ben Younger [Prime].
Where do the films get distributed?
The films, distributed with teaching guides, are used by schools and community groups nationwide and in 3 countries; screened at film festivals and conference worldwide; aired on Showtime and MTV; used as the media source in college health textbooks; and streamed on the web. An estimated 15 million people a year see a Scenarios USA film.
Have the films won awards?
Yes! Scenarios USA has received the Award for Excellence and Innovation in Social Marketing from Porter-Novelli, a major public relations firm; the Award for Excellence in Film and Digital Media from the Council on Foundations; the Paul Robeson Award for Excellence in Independent Filmmaking from the Newark Black Film Festival; and the American Library Association named Scenarios films Best Young Adult Videos for 2004.
What are the benefits of the Scenarios USA program?
Scenarios gives teenagers a creative forum to consider the issues shaping their lives and have their ideas and opinions heard; offers educators an innovative teaching tool and expands health education into English, Social Studies, Science and Drama classes; engages communities to address teen health issues that are often ignored until they become a problem.
2008 Winner
The 2008 winner of this contest is Earlaina Kemp. During the 2008 contest cycle, she was a Junior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School. Her teacher and long-time supporter is Mr. Rik York. Earlaina is supported by a strong family, including her mother Charlotte Jones, and her stepfather Keith Jones. Earlaina plans to study law when she graduates from high school; her ambition is to become an attorney. Earlina's winning entry is called "MANchild." It begins: "Place: Cleveland. Marcy Projects.
For more information please contact Steph M. Wahome, Scenarios Greater Cleveland Coordinator, (216) 443-2030