Programs & Services For Youth & Families 2010 - 2011 School Year

• Assets in Action
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse / Delinquency Diversion
• Ambassador Program
• Captain's Table
• Community Monitoring
• EYF (Envision Your Future) at the Middle School
  
• EYF (Envision Your Future) for Boys
  
• Family Solutions for Teens and Parents
• Fifth Quarter
• Girls Circle
• Juntos (Joining & Understanding Now, Teens Overcome Separation)
• Keeping Homecoming & Prom Safe
• Los Alamos Middle School Activity Support
• LAYL - Los Alamos Youth Leadership
• LAYFP - Los Alamos Youth Food Project
• Leaders in Training
• LifeSkills Training
• Natural Helper Training
• NovaNet / Write to Learn
• Parenting After Divorce
• Parent to Parent
• Peer Jury Model
• Pikes Peak
• Restorative Justice
• Senior Sidekicks
• Sixth Grade Transition Project
• Speakers on Community Issues
• Teen Court
• Teen Court Case Management
• Tobacco Use Prevention and Control (TUPAC)
• Truancy Intervention
• Youth Mobilizers

View the latest Los Alamos JJAB brochure...

Los Alamos - Youth Leadership (LAYL) - Programs 

A youth leadership program for high school students which begins in August and ends in May of each year.  High school students learn relationship strategies, keys to success, increase confidence and work on projects that benefit the community.

The program is contracted to the YMCA, 662-3100.

Download a LAYL Application here: Application

LAYL 2008-2009...  
LAYL 2007-2008...  
LAYL 2006-2007...

LAYL 2011/12

Team GRR 

Team Sigma Delta

Team G.I.T. Dark (Glow In The DARK)

JUNTOS -- Building better relationships with our neighbor, Española

JUNTOS (Joining and Understanding Now, Teens Overcome Separation) is a youth leadership effort addressing issues that keep young people from Los Alamos, Espanola and Pojoaque separate. Teen and adult leaders from all communities meet regularly to promote authentic dialogue aimed at eliminating the divide that has persisted for decades between these geographically close communities. The young people provide the ideas for bridging the gaps with activities, education, history, art, music, dance, etc., while adults help locate funding sources and provide guidance and coaching.  For more information, please call the Los Alamos Family YMCA at 662-3100.
More Information...

Youth Mobilizers

A program where youth partner with adult leaders in a collaborative process of research and reflection on youth-identified issues with the goal of community change. Three to four youth are responsible for connecting, collaborating, and communicating with their peers on issues, projects, and activities they would like to pursue. The Youth Mobilizers build their skills and capacities as decision makers, problem solvers, advocates, and leaders. This program is contracted through the YMCA, 662-3100.    Please contact the The Family YMCA for more information.
 
At the end of 2008 the Youth Mobilizers conducted a survey and studied the buying habits of teens in Los Alamos.
See the Teen Spending Report...

Exploring Teen Drug Use at LAHS - Using Peer Interviews

Distracted Driving - Exploring Teen’s Unsafe Driving Habits in Los Alamos

Katarina Juarez (KJ), Myles Burule and Anna Pabian

Fifth Quarter

An after home game program at Los Alamos High School for youth to socialize, listen to music, snack, and participate in games and activities. This program is contracted through the YMCA.

Keeping Homecoming & Prom Safe

Contracted through the YMCA, post Prom and Homecoming activities involving food, movies and games are promoted to and coordinated for students.

 Girls Circle 

This program empowers girls ages 14 - 19 by providing a supportive environment to focus on improving decision making skills, self-esteem and resilience.  Girls talk about body image, friendship, media influence, exclusion, stereotypes, and other issues that affect the life of adolescent girls.  The sessions foster trust, respect, and self-confidence.  Girls Circle is held for six weeks for two hours each session and in order to successfully complete the program, participants must attend 4 our of the 6 sessions.  For more information, please call Family Strengths Network at 662-4515.

Envision Your Future for Boys

How can teen boys make their dreams a reality? This program supports young men aged 14 - 19 who are on the path to being productive, successful adults, and helps youth on the wrong path make better decisions. More information...
www.envisionyourfuture.org
Monitor article: May 30, 2007

LifeSkills Training

The LifeSkills Training High School program is a highly interactive, skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for high school youth. This program helps adolescents navigate the challenges of the high school years, and prepares them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults. The program helps students achieve competency in the skills that have been found to reduce and prevent substance use and violence. The program is held in partnership with Los Alamos Family Council and is offered at no charge to participants. Each session is held for six weeks for one hour each week. Please contact Cheryl Pongratz at 662-3264 for further information and class schedule.

Parent to Parent

Are you concerned about teenage alcohol or drug use in Los Alamos? Are you worried about your teen's moodiness, and want to know what other families experience? Does your teen tell you "everybody else is allowed" but you aren't sure that is true? Parent-to-Parent is a forum for parents of teenagers to discuss issues they are facing and to share strategies for dealing with common problems. Each session features a speaker and discussions on topics such as alcohol and drug use, the role of police, the PRIDE survey, and other issues. This program has been requested by parents in the community needing assistance and is offered by the Family Strengths Network (662-4515).  Program includes education, evaluation of the family, and strategies for dealing with difficult youth. More information...

Alcohol and Substance Abuse / Delinquency Diversion

A program where participants must meet with a counselor and complete an assessment of mental health (stress, depression, etc.) and substance abuse. Participants and their parents must attend a half-day Saturday program. Participants must also complete community service. The program includes education on legal and medical aspects of alcohol and drug use and strategies for avoiding further involvement with drugs or alcohol.  Families are provided with an assessment and a written recommendation addressing both the needs of the family and the youth as well as a post 90-day program follow-up.  For information, please contact Los Alamos Family Council , 662-3264.

Natural Helper Training

This prevention program trains high school students in suicide and substance abuse prevention and builds mentoring skills.
High school students nominate their peers for this program. Diane Toups, High School Counselor, manages. Contact: 663-2510, d.toups@laschools.net.

Family Solutions for Teens and Parents

This program is for parents and teens to take together to deal with various issues from school failure, negative peer involvement, court involvement, feelings of hopelessness, and tips on handling teens' changing needs and challenges. The program addresses: ending chronic family conflicts, development of problem-solving skills, improvement of family communication, clarification of family values and discovery of family strengths, improvement of youth's decision making skills, and empowerment  of youth to effect positive change.

Program meets for 6 weeks for one and one-half hours and is provided by Family Strengths Network.  Please call 662-4515 for information.

Assets in Action

The 40 Developmental Assets are 40 common sense experiences and qualities which are highly important to raising children, especially adolescents. They include things such as family support, communication, and creative activities. More information...

The Assets in Action program of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce uses the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets approach in a project to educate and engage the community around the common goal of building, “Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth”.

The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

Click Here to register to receive free weekly emails containing tools and tips for developing Assets for all ages. Email Bernadette Lauritzen at Bernadette@losalamos.org if you have any difficulty signing up. www.assetsinaction.info

A Family A Fare Presentation

The next "A Family A Fare" is on October 20th. View details on this FLYER.

Teen Court

Teen Court is a nationally recognized program for alternative sentencing of juvenile first or second time offenders. This is a voluntary program, where teens who accept responsibility for their low-level infractions or misdemeanor crimes are sentenced by a jury of their peers.  Teen Court accepts youth defendants that are 12 to 18 years old. More information...

Restorative Justice

An alternative to the traditional justice system.  The program gives the victim and the community a voice in holding offenders accountable for their actions.  The Community Health Council provides the program through Family Council.  Referrals for the program are through the Juvenile Probation Officer. All information is kept confidential.

Truancy Intervention

Participants must meet with a counselor and complete an assessment of mental health (stress, depression, etc.) and substance abuse.  They must also attend with their parents a day Saturday program that highlights the importance of education and complete 10 hours of community service.  Families shall be provided with an assessment and a written recommendation addressing both the needs of the family and the youth, as well as a post 90-day program follow-up.  Referrals are made through the schools.  Please contact Los Alamos Family Council at 662-3264 for more information.
Referral Process for First Time Offenders...
Referral Process for Second Time Offenders...

Ambassador Program

This monthly, lunch-time program meets at Los Alamos High School and has been developed to assist high school students in setting and following through on career goals. It involves Los Alamos High School alumni speaking to the students about their careers.

Captain's Table

A once a month, lunch-time leadership program for the various captains of high school sports teams. Captain's Table meetings focus on issues within the athletic program and ways in which the programs can be improved. Participants discuss the roles involved with being a captain and what that means—from sportsmanship to dealing with drugs and alcohol issues.

Community Monitoring

Juvenile Case Management contracted through Los Alamos Family Council. Assists juveniles in complying with probation requirements. Contact Los Alamos Family Council at 662-3264.

EYF (Envision Your Future) at Middle School

Classes for 7th and 8th graders which help kids set goals, build strengths and map routes to success. This program is contracted through Family Strengths Network.

Los Alamos Middle School Activity Support

This funding affords opportunities to support Middle School activities.

  LA Youth Food Project

The LA Youth Food Project is working to create a service-learning community garden at the Los Alamos Middle School.  We’re in the beginning stages of development. Our overarching goal for this project is for the garden to be available at some level for K-12 LAPS students, community organizations, and individuals. We are working to provide a hands-on learning opportunity for LAPS students AND community members as well.

This is a very new project with a LOT of unknowns, BUT we encourage our community to take part in the planning and implementation process!  Contact us if you have ideas or want to volunteer, and subscribe to our blog to stay updated on the project!

LAMS teacher Stephanie Krantz displays the LAYFP check.

LAYFP Blog: http://layouthfoodproject.wordpress.com/

LAYFP Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Alamos-Youth-Food-Project/255726924460825

Leaders in Training

The Leaders in Training Program is a “feeder program” for the YMCA Councilor Training program and LAYL, contact the Y at 662-3100.

NovaNet / Write to Learn

A research-based, web-based, flexible courseware for high school students. This curricula meets state and national standards and can be utilized for credit accrual, dropout prevention, summer school, credit recovery and more; contact Los Alamos High School at 663-2510.

Parenting After Divorce

This interactive workshop helps participants explore some of the most thorny issues divorced parents face and offers suggestions for staying sane and effective. Contracted through Family Strengths Network at 662-4515.

Peer Jury Model

This program augments the truancy program funded by the schools. Participants are referred to Teen Court; sentencing includes a mentorship program, contact Teen Court at 662-8099.

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak Learning Center Discovery Programs are on-line courses, activities and curriculum for positive youth development. Contracted through Los Alamos Family Council, 662-3264.

Senior Sidekicks

A mentoring program where incoming high school freshmen are partnered with Los Alamos High School Seniors, contact LAHS at 663-2510.

Sixth Grade Transition Project

Teachers are able to identify and refer students whose behavior may result in problems as the student transitions from 6th to 7th grade. This summer program offers tools to help students successfully manage this transition. Contracted through Los Alamos Family Council, 662-3264.

Speakers on Community Issues

A public education event informing interested members of the public about adolescent and/or community issues. Contact JJAB at 412-9371.

Teen Court Case Management

Teen Court Case Manager oversees a program for 2nd and 3rd time offenders who have already participated in Teen Court., contact 662-8099.

Tobacco Use Prevention and Control (TUPAC)

A program focused on school smoking policy, cessation programs and services, diversion services, organized anti-smoking youth advocacy, and anti-smoking activities. A grant from the State of New Mexico, New Mexico Department of Health originally funded this for three years. Funding has most likely ended. This program will continue as Anti-Tobacco through Los Alamos Family Council, 662-3264.