Working with at-risk youth

1. Working with at-risk youth Gina Castañeda Deputy Probation Officer County of Santa Cruz

2. Factors which indicate children are at risk for becoming Gang Members Family • Parents graduate from Gangs themselves. They see nothing wrong with their child being involved in gangs…encouragement (“assembly line of production”). The whole family is involved in gangs (Quinceaneras, parties, ext.).

3. Factors continued • Non-English speaking parents. Their customs are from a culture vastly different then that in California. The children adapt rapidly to the “new ways” and lose respect for their parents “old ways”. • Gangs become youth’s surrogate family fulfilling their basic needs. • Many of these factors may overlap each other.

4. Factors Continued Protection- • For protection against rival gangs. If an individual grows up in a gang neighborhood, their neighbors and friends will be gang related. Family members are involved in gangs. They may be perceived as gang members. • Non gang members, or young gang members can be pressured into standing up for themselves or their neighborhood this might be one of the first steps in gang recruitment. • Their neighborhood becomes their territory. • FEAR on the streets.

5. Factors continued Sense of Power *****Volunteer from the class***** • Gang members having a driving “need to belong”. Their gang loyalty will often be professed even as a last dying breath. • Violence has a huge impact in the role of power. • A gang members pride in their neighborhood, however poor it may be, is intense and should be considered. • Gang activity on school campuses. Acts of vandalism, graffiti, student and teacher intimidation, and physical violence. • What happens off campus will find it’s way onto campus. • Youth also find power in gangster music, videos, movies, T.V., and on the internet. These all support what they already see on the streets.

6. Factors continued Respect • Fear vs. Respect • Reputation becomes the most important possession.

7. Factors continued • Intergenerational 1st through 4th generation. • Minimal adult supervision or involvement • Adults working outside the home and have long hours and low wages. • Single parents. • One or more adults in the home are or were incarcerated. • Parental denial. • Gang members view activity differently than the general public “The Norm”.

8. Examples of Gang Activity • Violence • Graffiti • Drug Usage • Sales of Drugs • Intimidation

9. Gang graffiti

10. Drugs

11. Discouraging Kids from Joining Gangs • Discourage your children from hanging out with gang members. • Occupy your children’s free time • Develop good communication with your children • Spend time with your children • Don’t buy or allow your children to dress in gang-style clothing • Set limits for your children • Develop an anti-gang environment in your home • Learn about gang and drug activity in your community • Participate in the education of your children • Participate in the community BE A GOOD EXAMPLE. BECOME AN ACTIVE, NOT A PASSIVE PARENT.

12. Alternatives to Gangs • Youth Centers • Community Programs • Sports • Mentors • School Involvement • Religion • Clubs • Community Service • Taking Trips

13. Youth Needs

14. Impact of Gang Members on Family • Realistic Fear for their own personal safety and the safety of their family and neighborhood. • Damage to personal property • Trauma, grief, confusion and depression over the injury or loss of a loved one due to gang violence. • Personal injury or even death. • Financial burden to family due to trauma. Lack of employment.

15. Clinical Interventions • Use Strength Based techniques • Thinking for a change • Seven Challenges • Cara Y Corazon/Yoven Noble • Wraparound • Identify reasons for clients involvement in gangs. (Assessment will help with intervention) • Explore their life • Look at School life-grades, attendance, and behavior. • Look at Family life-are parents gang involved, absent from home environment? • Look at Pros and Cons of behavior • Look also at Cause and Effect • Look for signs of child abuse history and how it corresponds with negative behavior or criminal justice system. • Have them Role Play

16. Clinical Interventions Continued • Domains • Family • School • Safety • Relationships • Emotional • A place to live • Legal • Social/fun • Work • Spiritual • Finances • Culture • Other

17. Clinical Interventions Continued • Art Therapy • Look for the factors • Look for the boxes, black holes, dark areas. • Have them use their non traditional hand. • Do flash card art • Drugs/alcohol • Family-name individuals • Abuse-sexual, physical, mental, & verbal. • Gangs • Your neighborhood • Violence • And other issues pertaining to this individual. • Introduce positive things to do art about These can be general and then used in detail, as the patient connects w/ you. Always look for strengths those are the keys.

18. Clinical Interventions Continued • Mapping • Childhood • Present • Future • Make a list of positive and negative factors of gangs. • Map with the positive. • Map with the negative. • Map with both. • Weigh them out talk about cause and effect and consequences. Have them think through “Who” really gets effected.

19. Clinical Interventions Continued • Explore their life. • Define “FUN” and “HAPPINESS”. • Check to see where they have traveled to. • Do they feel safe leaving their home area? Physically/emotionally )You can start to introduce meditation here). • Make a list of thing they want to do. • Make a list of places they want to go. • Pick a reasonable one, and have them make a list of things that stand in their way. Now have them make a plan on how to over come these issues. Always remember these kids might have issues TRUST, issues with D/A, Abuse, PTSD, Low self-esteem, feel lack of love, or lack of family.

20. Clinical Interventions Continued • Writing • Journals • Short stories • You make a scenario with positives and negatives. Tell a story. • Now have them write the middle and the ending. Always discuss the ending and how they got there. How they can make better choices? Sad ending vs. happy ending.

21. Clinical Interventions Continued • Let’s define • Love • Dignity • Respect • Trust • Identity Now Define them as your: • Self • Family • Community

22. Clinical Interventions Continued • Refusal skills 1. Stay safe 2. Stay out of trouble 3. Keep your friends • Brain storm: “what gets you into trouble?” and “what do you do for FUN that’s positive?” • Home • School • Community

23. Clinical Interventions Continued • 1. Ask and clarify • 2. State the consequences • 3. Offer an alternative • 4. Leave the door open • 5. Walk away

24. Clinical Interventions Continued • Make my list: • List out what you get from gangs (good/bad) • List out what your parents (Judge, Community or teachers) believe you get from gangs • *show list

25. Clinical Interventions Continued • Anger management • What makes you mad? (colors, hand signs ext.) • Identify it! • Start to make a plan • How do you feel when your angry? • Physically • Emotionally What are positive alternatives?

26. Clinical Interventions Continued • Setting Goals • List Strengths • List Issues (Domains) • Set a goal: • What: • Who: (support people) • How: • When: • Where: (Depending on the goal set)

27. What Works

28. Do • Use their strengths • Always reflect on positive things gangs have given them. • Be their support • Show them a different way of life • Educate them • Ask when you don’t know or don’t understand • Remember to never give up • Every client is different look for different approaches • Make a connection

29. Don’t • Put them down because of their choices to become gang involved. • Include your belief system • Say things like “I would rather have died… • Compare them to other children or your own • Promise you will be there and they aren’t These things will make them feel worthless and they won’t be able to connect with you.

30. Closing • Your work is hard and frustrating! • Remember never give up! If they don’t get it today, one day they will! And they will remember you when they do get it. • Every child is different look for different approaches that work for individuals.

31. Questions??? Thank you for your time!

32. Contact information Gina Castaneda Santa Cruz County Probation Officer (831)763-8018 Gina.castaneda@santacruzcounty.us