RY News

Last updated 04/20/2007 11:36 AM

April 20, 2007 - 2007 RY Conference at Silver Bay to be held MAY 4TH 2007. Click here to look for more.

March 1st - TEAM Reconnecting Youth Coordinator, Christopher Montville, who recently returned form a training in Seattle, WA with other RY folks from various parts of the country and the authors and researchers behind the RY curriculum.  The purpose of the training was to train new trainers of the program and begin the process of trying to develop more Master Trainers for schools, communities, and other organizations who implement the program to be resources in the training and skill acquisition of future RY facilitators. Topher (short for Christopher; long story) says that he plans to continue to work with the Reconnecting Youth Inc. trainers to develop his facilitation skills and gain expertise in the training process. His long term go is to "hopefully help to create a future resource center in the region for people and agencies or schools to be able to access training more efficiently and making the process more affordable for communities, schools, and non-profits like ours."

 He adds, "my goal when I started at the Prevention TEAM was to make RY self sufficient in Essex County by the time life afforded me to move on to another or different phase of my career. That goal was in 2000, it is now 2007 and the TEAM has successfully implemented the program in many schools in our service area. As I get closer to finishing up on my Masters Degree in School Counseling, life is going to be shifting my focus within the next few years."

"Now, a new goal of mine, after meeting the wonderful people at Reconnecting Youth Inc. and going through a phase of the Training for Trainers process, is to make RY easier for this region of the country.  This can be done through appropriate levels of collaboration with existing trainers and/or help RY Inc. create a resource or some type of 'RY Institute' of sorts where folks in the Northeast can come and be trained by professionals who are immersed in the program and want to help make the program a success with the highest level of fidelity."

"It is important that people be trained in the program and have the appropriate skill set to go with the 'it factor' that people that connect with youth have.  It is not only important for an individual program's success but it's effectiveness after the kids go beyond RY and their High School experiences. "

"Anyone can buy a 'Model Program' or some curricula, but it is the skills and techniques that are learned through professional training (through Reconnecting Youth Inc.) and keeping to the programs fidelity that is critical.  Like one of the authors told me in a story illustrating this point, 'What you are doing in that class is fabulous and so wonderful for the kids, but it is not RY.'  That last statement, and her Cheshire Cat grin when saying it, exemplifies, to me, the power of the program and the importance to follow the curriculum with fidelity; including getting appropriate training for appropriate facilitators prior to implementation."

"I will do whatever I can, and that life will permit me opportunity-wise, to make this goal a reality. It may be just a dream now, but there are a lot of people who want to make a difference out there and they will help this become a reality one day. With the support I have had over the years in various projects and activities for our community's youth, I have no doubts that it will happen one day."

To find out more on how you can help make RY a reality in your school in Essex County or to learn more on how to help Reconnecting Youth be successful in your community, email our RY Guy, Christopher Montville at: chris@preventionteam.org or call (518) 585-7424 ext. 108 and he will be happy to assist you. 

As Topher would say, however, he is not a substitute for the real deal... The folks at Reconnecting Youth Inc.  have worked hard over the years to make this program a reality and a success (they are the real deal).  Any training or research questions should be directed to these folks, use either the email link to the program developers and/or to Beth McNamara, Information and Training Coordinator at: ry.info@comcast.net  with your question or "Reconnecting Youth Question" in the subject line.

Also, check the program out on the SAMHSA website to find out many frequently asked questions or concerns individuals have by clicking on the link here.