YAP's work has gained national attention. See the stories below to learn how YAP is changing biographies across the country.
YAP Featured in Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune featured a story on YAP's involvement with the highest-risk students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system, a program that is facing budget cuts as a result of the end of federal "Stimulus Bill" funding.
Spotlighted is the dedicated work of advocate Stevie Powell and the four students he mentors. Powell has intensively supported the teens, focusing on their strengths and interests, modeling positive relationships, and connecting them with employment opportunities and community supports.
Although the Chicago Public Schools' environment remains a violent one, YAP CEO Jeff Fleischer believes those students in the YAP program have been shielded. "The vast majority have been very safe. And if we are able to keep the high-risk kids safe, imagine if we are able to get the other kids into the program."
Chicago YAP Featured on NBC News with Brian Williams
Recently, NBC News with Brian Williams featured the work of Ron Huberman, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools in its "Making a Difference" report. Huberman contracted with YAP to provide advocacy/mentoring services for those Chicago High School students most at risk of injury by gang violence. YAP was the first vendor to work with Huberman's Violence Prevention Initiative which has gotten national attention as a unique approach to reducing school and community violence and increasing educational success of those students. The piece features one of our Chicago Advocates and his student. view here
For parents concerned that their child is experiencing restraint or seclusion at school, information can be hard to come by. Now a new guide is offering practical advice for dealing with the issue.
"Shouldn't School be Safe? - Working Together to Keep Every Child Safe from Restraint and Seclusion in School" is a 23-page document being put out by the disability advocacy group TASH is designed to give parents a straightforward look at the steps they can take to prevent the use of restraint and seclusion, identify if it's occurring and react.
The guide offers specific recommendations on the type of language that should and should not be included in a student's individualized education program, or IEP, and advice on spotting signs of restraint and seclusion even if a child is unable to talk about it.
Using a new legal strategy making it easier to prove intent to discriminate, the TimeBanks Racial Justice Initiative will begin putting judges and their communities on formal notice of the injuries resulting from juvenile confinement practices and of much more effective and affordable alternatives. Included in the video below are Yakua Banks, graduate of Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.; Dana Newman, YAP Deputy CEO; Bart Lubow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation; and Dr. Edgar S. Cahn, YAP Board Member and Co-leader of the Racial Justice Initiative.
YAP's Chicago Programs Named In New York Times Piece
On July 2, 2010, The New York Times published a front-page story featuring YAP Chicago's efforts to prevent public school students from engaging in or being harmed by violence in Chicago. YAP is one of several non-profits partnering with the Chicago Public Schools' ambitious Violence Prevention Initiative. The article highlights YAP's first few months of the partnership, including a sharp increase in school attendance and staff commitments to developing meaningful relationships with the students. Click here to read the article and view the accompanying slideshow.
