Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success.
Youth First Social Worker
student lives
were touched by a
20,201
Last school year,
Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success.
Our mission is to strengthen youth and families through evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student success.
Youth First partners with schools churches businesses communities local agencies to provide
a menu of proven programs and strategies.
News
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How You Can Support Local Youth
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A generous donor wants to ensure our future is bright with a matching gift opportunity. If we raise $100,000 each year for the next 10 years, it will be matched by this donor!
Helping Your Child Transition to High School
Counties, Youth First BlogBy Valorie Dassel, LCSW, LCAC The transition from elementary or middle school to high school can come with a wave of emotions for both students and parents. Often there is excitement surrounding the new environment, both socially and academically. Anxiety is also commonly experienced among incoming freshmen. These anxieties often stem from social and academic […]
Getting Back into the Groove of School
Counties, Youth First BlogBy Christine Weinzapfel-Hayden, LCSW – July 29, 2022 – I know you feel it. The new school year is looming. A new school year always comes with a variety of emotions, excitement, nervousness, and dread (Looking at you, common-core math…). One of the hardest things about starting a new school year is settling kids into […]
Regulating Stress Responses
All Posts, Counties, Youth First BlogBy Kacie Shipman, LSW – July 20, 2022 – Children and adults may react to stress in different ways. Trauma and stress can cause the brain to feel challenged or threatened, and the part of the brain that reacts is often on high alert. Our instinct is to protect ourselves, often by fleeing, fighting, or […]
Staying Grounded in an Ever-Changing World
Counties, Youth First BlogBy Lizzie Raben, MSW – July 17, 2022 – The last few years have brought new sources of uncertainty and unforeseen challenges to everyone’s lives. As we’ve moved forward from a global pandemic, we’ve all adjusted to embrace new ways of living to accommodate the needs of our society. It takes time to adapt to change; […]
Recharge Your Brain with Downtime
Counties, Youth First BlogBy Deena Bodine, LCSW – Updated July 7, 2022 – As a Youth First Social Worker, I have been fortunate to facilitate several Reconnecting Youth programs with small groups of high school students. One semester, the group I was working with selected some inspirational “pay it forward” activities to complete. One of the activities involved […]