Safe place

Safe Place is a national program that assists youth in crisis. Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention
program for youth under 18 years old. It is a national program, with 32 counties in Indiana participating. In Jay County,
there are currently 16 sites! These sites include: The Youth Service Bureau, Jay County Jr-Sr High School, Westlawn
Elementary, Redkey Elementary, East Jay Elementary, JRDS, Portland Fire Department, Portland Police Department,
Portland Pizza King, Jay County Retirement Center, Jay County Sheriff Department, Pennville Library, Dunkirk City
Building, Dunkirk Police Department, Bearcreek Trustees office, and Bryant Volunteer Fire Department. These sites are
trained to be able to help youth, that may come in needing help!


When youth finds themselves in a crisis, homeless, or with nowhere safe to go, they can rest assured that Safe Place
can give them the help they need. When a youth enters a Safe Place site, the training employees take them to a private,
safe area and then will get an idea about what is going. From there, they will call the Youth Service Bureau to inform
them that they have youth in need, and the staff at the Youth Service Bureau will tell them what staff will be coming to
the site to help the youth. Once the Safe Place Coordinator gets the site, she will get more information about what is
going on at home, and will help get the youth resources they need. If the situation is not safe for the youth to return
home, they will be offered a place to stay at the residential home, until things are figured out at home and it is safe to
return home. If the youth decides they want to return home that nights, their parents will be called and brought in, and
resources will be given so that next time the youth feels to be in crisis, they will not feel the need to run away again

Residential Care

“The reason I initially wanted to be a part of YSB is that it aligned with my degree. I thought that YSB would help me get a good start on my career once I finished college. I knew that I would be caring for children, and that is where my heart is. The third shift does not allow me to interact with the residents often, but I do feel like the residents are a part of my life and I’m keeping them safe. I do believe in this program, and it has helped me to realize that I do not want my own classroom once I graduate. My goal is to work with children who need guidance and counseling in dealing with personal or family issues.

As far as the program goes, I think that the kids have an abundance of opportunities while being given a safe place to live. The residents can engage in extracurricular school activities and join the workforce, depending on their age. The recreation calendar is full of daily activities to keep the residents occupied and giving them the opportunity to try new things. The residents have taken trips, and they are always doing outdoor activities during the warm months. I know that there is so much more to the program. These are just a few things that I believe would spark interest because a lot of people that I have spoken with portray YSB differently. Not really in a negative way, but they see it more as a jail rather than a program providing stability and support to kids and families.

There are also plenty of free resources and training opportunities for staff. Our boss is pretty cool too.” ~Amy Wicker, Direct Care Worker, Residential

Graduation and Completion of the Healthy Families Program

Healthy Families is excited to be part of the graduation and completion of the Healthy Families Program for 8 of our current families. All 8 families have participated in the program for at least 3 years. Families will be provided with a graduation certificate and a preschool or kindergarten readiness pack. Healthy Families Staff is guiding the families with enrolling in school and future resources.

Missy, who has participated in Healthy Families for 4 years stated, she is very happy for the support and encouragement from her home visitor. Missy has obtained her high school diploma, found full-time employment, and has visited regularly with her home visitor. Missy attends playgroups and has often provided referrals for friends to participate in the program. Missy says her home visitor was her best cheerleader. When no one else thought she could do it, Missy said her home visitor was the one supporting and encouraging her to keep going. Missy has her child signed up to begin kindergarten in the fall.

Successful Graduate – B.A.S.E. Program

One of the success stories recently is a youth that has been in our program for the last four years.  He recently graduated and will obtain his H.S. diploma in May. He told BASE staff that if it wasn’t for their support and holding him accountable he wouldn’t be an H.S. graduate.  He told BASE behavioral coach, Chris Dubach – “I also wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me during my time at base.”

Life Skills

Thanks to the grant support of the Randolph County Foundation, BASE was able to purchase an Insta-pot along with a food budget to purchase ingredients throughout the 2020/2021 school year!  Students have enjoyed developing some life skills such as food preparation, washing dishes, and our favorite part… Eating food masterpieces! Thus far BASE students have made Buffalo Chicken Dip twice and taco soup which was served with sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, and tortilla chips.

 

The B.A.S.E. program is focused on youth living in Randolph County in grades 7-12..