Linda Ashman: Caseworker!
Christmas Celebrations at YSB
Thank you for a fun Halloween!
K. A. R. S. S. Program
Join us at the YSB Fall Playgroup!
The Youth Service Bureau will be holding a fall playgroup on Wednesday, September 28th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm!
What: Youth Service Bureau Fall Playgroup
Where: Haynes Park, Portland, Indiana
When: Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 4:30-6:00pm
Who: All local families with children through preschool age
The fall playgroup is sponsored by the Portland Rotary Club. This event will be held at Haynes Park. All local families with children thru preschool age are invited to attend. There will be craft and activity stations for families to participate in and snacks and a book will be provided. The Youth Service Bureau invites families that are part of the Healthy Families program, as well as families in the community. The Youth Service Bureau would like to thank the Portland Rotary Club for sponsoring the event and providing the supplies for the fall playgroup!
Thank You!
Hi Alison!
You have been recognized by a DCS team member for being there when it counted!! We are all so busy and it is hard to keep track, but there are so many times when our Service Providers truly show up when it counted and those are the times that make all the difference. Thank you for being there for our families and for us when it counted and for truly going above and beyond to provide a meaningful moment.
When it Counted Staff: Alison Strausbaugh
When it Counted Agency: YSBJC
When it Counted Service: Supervised Visitation
When it Counted Moment
“I want to recognize Allison for being there When it Counted! Alison has worked really amazing with a parent which is not always easy. This parent has strong opinions about their DCS Case and Alison continues to work with him and support his needs. Alison is a calming presence in this father’s life! He trusts her and responds really well to her. We truly appreciate Alison’s hard work and dedication to this father as well as his little girl. Thank you so much, Alison!!”
New Home-Based Program Director
I have been a Home-Based Caseworker with The Youth Service Bureau for 7 years. I have recently taken the position of the new Home-Based Program Director. I am beyond excited to take on this new role and continue to build this program in our communities.
I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Social Work from Olivet Nazarene University in 2013. After graduation, I enjoyed working with children at an Autism Clinic, but I desired to work with children and families within the DCS system.
In 2015, I entered into the casework position at YSB where I quickly learned how passionate and caring the YSB agency and workers were for our clients. I enjoy working with all clients from the little children, to teens, to the parents. This program allows us to help our clients take steps to better their situations and for them to realize and achieve their greatest potential.
As Program Director, I am excited to be able to continue working with clients and also to continue building a passionate home-based team so that we may be able to have an even greater impact in our communities.
Home-Based Family Services are intervention services that work with families involved with DCS or probation. A wide variety of services from Parent-Aid, Casework, Therapy, Supervised Visits, and Family Preservation help preserve intact families and support families as they seek reunification. Strength-based and trauma-informed services help build family resiliency to assist our clients in reaching their greatest potential.
Katie Helm, YSB Home-Based Program Director
Healthy Families would like to introduce our new Family Support Specialist, Tina Myers.
My name is Tina Myers. I am 31 years old. I have 3 younger sisters and 1 brother. My husband Greg and I adopted two children in 2019 Macie (6) and Quentin (5). We also just had our baby girl Elena (Raynie) in January. Our animal family consists of 2 dogs, 2 rabbits, and 11 chickens.
Our family likes to spend our free time camping, fishing, and traveling. We have been camping at Paradise Pointe for 10 years. Our goal is to make a home away from home where all of our family can make fun and precious memories that will last for years.
In my previous careers, I have either worked in Customer Service or worked with young children. Throughout my life, I have found that my biggest joy is helping others whether they’re older or younger. I believe that at some point, everyone needs help, even those who are afraid to ask for it. That’s one of the reasons why I am so excited to be a part of this program. Not only will I be able to help others with the help and training I receive from this team, but I, myself will also learn new ideas and new information
and get other perspectives along this journey.
Children in the Middle
Children in the Middle is a program designed to minimize the impact on children when parents divorce. As children often suffer needlessly when parents’ divorce, this program can assist parents in the adjustments children must make during a divorce. Some of those adjustments may include changes in family finances, changes in family structure, addressing feelings of guilt and anger, and feeling like they are caught in the middle.
Did You Know?
· 36.6% of all marriages in the US end in divorce.
- Roughly one in two children will see their parent’s marriage breakup.
- There is a 16% increase in the risk of behavior problems if the child is between 7 and 14 years old when their parents’ divorce.
- Children of divorced or separated parents are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to live in poverty and engage in risky sexual behavior as they get older.
- Estimates suggest children from divorced parents have an 8% lower probability of completing high school, a 12% lower probability of college attendance, and an 11% lower probability of college completion.
Roughly 50% of all American children experience the break-up of their parent’s marriage. Unfortunately, about half of these children will then see the end of their parent(s) next marriage. About one in ten children with divorced parents will experience the end of three or more of their parental marriages.
While divorce is often very difficult for children and can lead to several undesirable outcomes as evidenced by the statistics above, these outcomes are not inevitable. Through education and support, we can work to make the situation better for everyone involved.
More Information
Register For Classes In Person Or By Phone At The:
Youth Service Bureau of Jay County, Inc.
603 West Arch Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: 260-726-8520