Dear Emma,

Youth First school social workers  would make every effort to support the teen and make referrals for prenatal care as quickly as possible.  If there are concerns about exploitation and or abuse of the teen, proper authorities are notified.  In each school system we serve, Youth First staff follow the policies outlined therein regarding assistance to pregnant students.

Dear Angie,

I assumed you live in the Evansville area.  Youth First can only direct you to other resources for this situation.  I hope you find some assistance with one of these options:

If you have not exhausted all efforts with Vecten customer service department, contact the service department through normal channels at 800-227-1376. 

There is also a local customer advocate line, 812-492-6160, that connects you directly to a supervisor so some of the normal call center protocol is by-passed.   Ask the customer service person to see if you qualify for an extension, can make arrangements, or how to access some of the other options below:

To learn about payment arrangements visit this link to Vectren.com:  https://www.vectrenenergy.com/web/eenablement/learn_about/services/payment_arrangement_i.jsp

CAP agencies administer the Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for income eligible customers: http://www.in.gov/ihcda/files/Community_Action_Regions_Contact_Information.pdf

One other possibility is Help Thy Neighbor: http://www.heatingfund.org/

Dear kayla,

Prevention of substance abuse, promoting healthy behaviors, and maximizing student success is our mission.  Homelessness is a late stage problem rather than an early consequence or early sign of problem behaviors, but Youth First can help or offer guidance. 

A team of Youth First school social workers in area schools offer support to students & families struggling with a vast variety of issues.  Many of these issues are risk factors for getting involved with, or consequences of, substance abuse.  Family conflict, mental illness, anger, stress, poverty, famiy history of addiction/alcoholism, academic or learning difficulties, chronic illness, delinquent behavior, physical/sexual abuse, and homelessness are just a few examples.  Substance abuse, and the associated consequences, can also lead to homelessness. 

Not many students visit Youth First school social workers with a primary complaint of "homelessnes."  Nevertheless, a student can seek help from a Youth First social worker in these situations.  Youth First social workers assist with a variety of issues including need for food, clothing, and I'm sure they've worked with homeless kids to solve this problem as well.  Referral to another agency for specialized attention would be one of the options considered.

Dear Johnathan,

I assume you are referring to the expired grants funding Youth First social workers in Evansville public schools.  I'm happy to let you know that we have received some new funding, but services were reduced compared to prior years. 

Notes like yours are the "fuel" that keeps us going.  It's great to hear that things are going well for you. Youth First is helping over 30,000 individuals yearly, but the fact that you took the time to send this caring feedback means a lot.  Sustaining our good work when grants, or other funding streams, expire, is hard work and requires individual, corporate, state, and federal financial support and advocacy. 

Individuals and families who have been helped can be effective advocates.  I'm going to forward your message to Parri Black, President and CEO of Youth First.  She may ask you to write letters, or provide a testimonial, that would inspire others to begin, or continue, helping.  I know she'll be in touch and will be pleased to hear from you. Thanks Johnathan.  I appreciate your offer to help.  Stay in touch and take care of yourself.

Dear KO,

I can only make general suggestions based on the limited information you provide.  You are dealing with some difficult decisions.  Above all, I suggest you seek help.

If you are a student, check with the Principal's office to see if you have a social worker available in your school.  The school social worker can evaluate your situation and, usually, make some helpful suggestions for assistance.  Discuss "confidentiality" policies with her before your session.

If you are below the age of 18, and truly want to change this behavior, you may need parental consent for additional visits with a school social worker or to see a counselor/therapist/doctor outside of the school setting.  If over 18, in most cases, you can be treated as an adult.

Your parents may honor your privacy if you seek help, but, on the otherhand, they could also be a source of great support in trying to overcome such a difficult problem.  Keeping any addiction a "secret" sometimes makes recovery more difficult.  Support from your parents or another appropriate adult can be helpful.  Take care of yourself by seeking help without further delay. 

Dear babybird,

Don't keep this a secret. In this situation, I would encourage you speak to your friend's parents, or someone in a position of authority, about this situation without further delay.  Don't wait for another "crisis".  Encourage the parent or guardian to help him obtain a mential health evaluation and proper treatment.  If there is a psychiatric emergency, and he refuses evaluation, a they can seek an emergency detention for evaluation.  You are not in a position to determine if he is serious or not, and there are limits to what a friend can do. Don't try to be his therapist.  In an emergency dialing 911 for help is always another option.

Dear Casey,

It would be helpful to know where you live (city/state), what medical facility you used, how long you were there, and what they recommended you do to stay clean when you were discharged.  If you want to send another email with that info, I may be able to make more specific suggestions.

Some experts think that "once addicted, you're always addicted".  In other words, it's a chronic illness that will need your attention for a lifetime.  Even if you stop using, the addiction is still there.  You will be either dry/clean/sober and coping better or using. 

Wanting to quit is a first step.  "Cutting down" is usually not successful because you'll usually slip back.  Loss of control over use is part of addiction.  How many cigarette addicts do you know that can just smoke one a day?...Not many!   Therefore, I suggest you seek to remain abstinent. 

Change the people, places and situations that you associate with using.  This means a change of friends, changing what you do for fun and changing how you deal with good or bad feelings.  A "coach" or counselor would be helpful in monitoring your progress.  Find one that understands addiction.

I also suggest you try Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.  You'll find that you are not alone in this struggle.  Your parents might need to get some help too.  Once they are acquainted, your counselor can make some suggestions for them.  Thanks for asking Youth First.

Dear Nicole,

"Goodbye" might be the best option. You will be "known" by the friends you associate with and by the decisions you make regarding your own behavior. If your boyfriend really cares for you, he will make changes in his behavior and his friends.  If he doesn't, or can't change, you should look for greener pastures.  You are not responsible for hm.  Just take care of yourself.  You have a decision to make. 

Dear babybird,

Great questions!  Thank you for asking Youth First. 

Tobacco and marijuana are addictive drugs.  Increasing tolerance, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or quit; continuing use despite social, psychological, physical, and occupational problems caused by use; increasing time spent using & recovering over time; and withdrawal symptoms (mental cravings or physical symptoms) are all signs of mental and psychological dependence.  With your circumstances, there are no easy solutions but it is certainly not hopeless.  You can help yourself and get professional help.

Both your smoking (pot and tobacco) and that of your parents (passive smoke) are harmful to you in many ways.  One basic principal of addiction is that you cannot control the behavior of others.  If you quit, your parents may feel more pressure to do the same, but there is no guarantee they will do so.  Focus on helping yourself.

You are on the right track with your "wanting to stop".  This is one of the first steps in recovering from an addiction.  At 18, you are legally an adult and can enter into a counseling program without your parents consent. 

You can also look at options to remove yourself from this enabling environment and speak with your parents about what you are trying to do and what you may be forced to consider if they continue to permit use and tempt you by smoking tobacco or marijuana around you.  Just be sure you are prepared to take the actions you consider to do before making such "threats".

Your best plan should include removing yourself from people, places and situations that are associated with your use.  This means severing relations with using "friends", finding other ways to deal with stress or to have fun, associating with a group of people who are also trying to quit (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or another support groups are listed in the phone book and are free, smoke-free meetings are common). 

Formal counseling services may be available in your community.  Some treatment options will work with you on payment and others will accept private insurance or receive state money to assist persons without adequate resources to pay.

Do not to give up.  Keep trying to quit.  Quitting is often associated with intermittant relapses before sustained abstinence is achieved.

Dear Scott,

All Youth First school social workers have master's degrees.  Many are Licensed Clinical Social Workers.