Hoyleton Youth & Family Services

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In late September, Youth Villages hosted a Partner Summit in Chicago, uniting LifeSet collaborators from ten different states for training sessions and networking events. At the conference, Sharon Schultz, the Director of Child Welfare, highlighted how Hoyleton, a Youth Villages partner since 2019, has effectively integrated the LifeSet program and the significant positive impact it has had on the young adults they serve. LifeSet is specifically crafted for youth aged 17 1/2 to 21 who are transitioning out of the foster care system, preparing them for independent living. This intensive, individualized, evidence-based, and community-focused program provides essential support to young adults who might lack a reliable support system. LifeSet Specialists engage with these youth in person at least once a week and maintain additional contact through texts, emails, or phone calls as necessary. Participants in the LifeSet program receive guidance and training in various life skills, including building healthy relationships, securing safe housing, managing finances, and making informed employment and education decisions. Starting this December, young adults in our transitional living program residing at Lehre House and Hagar House will become eligible for the LifeSet Program. This opportunity arose when DCFS approved a continuum contract for high-acuity youth with complex care needs. Extending the LifeSet program to our our TLP clients further exemplifies Hoyleton's commitment to its mission of enabling all people to realize the wholeness of life.

We'd like to congratulate this year's Hoyleton Career Assistance Scholarship recipients: Lorinda Macon and Crystal Taylor! Lorinda is diligently working toward a degree in Social Work at Indiana Wesleyan University. Crystal is furthering her education in accounting at Lake Land Community College. With special assistance from the Hildebrand family, Hoyleton created the Career Assistance Scholarship as a way to support our client’s ability to reach their full potential. This scholarship is available to anyone who has received services from Hoyleton Youth and Family Services or Puentes de Esperanza.

Alexis McGaughy teaches LifeSkills classes to the middle school grades at Freeburg Elementary. On September 24, Alexis and Na'Kayla Eldridge, Prevention Specialist, took part in a Social Media Awareness Night for parents, community members, staff, and students. The purpose was to educate parents about social media and consequences for using it in an ill manner. Na'Kayla and Alexis were present for mental health needs, and increased awareness on how social media can affect a child's mental health using Illinois Youth Survey data. They provided resource guides and referral to services such as behavioral health and Crisis care. They were also able to highlight risk factors of substance use and how our prevention services in the school act as a protective factor for substance use. A presentation was given by St. Clair Co Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson, Circuit Judge John O’Gara, Circuit Judge and IJA Officer Heinz Rudolf, and Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet. Illinois State Senator Christopher Belt also spoke about current legislation and further invited a group of Freeburg students to present information on Freeburg's journey to raise awareness and encourage dialogue through the Social Media Awareness Night to the Illinois Senate Education Committee. It takes a village to raise a child. We are so glad our Prevention team was able to provide guidance in this conversation!

Nothing beats a warm drink on a chilly day! Hoyleton staff enjoyed celebrating Coffee Day with a special coffee/hot chocolate bar at our Fairview and Hoyleton locations.  Thank you CHEERS, our staff engagement committee, for making this day special!

The theme for the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. As the month long celebration concludes we would like to once again recognize the work our Puentes de Esperanza team does for the Hispanic community on a daily basis. The future for many in this population has been changed for the better because of the support, resources and education provided.

Transitioning from school to adulthood can be challenging for any young person. For those aging out of the foster care system, it can be even harder. In late September Youth Villages held a Partner Summit in Chicago, bringing together LifeSet partners from across ten states for training and networking. Sharon Schultz, Director of Child Welfare spoke at the conference to share how Hoyleton has partnered with Youth Villages since 2019 and how LifeSet has impacted the young adults we serve. Hoyleton partners with Youth Villages to provide the LifeSet program for our youth who are preparing for independent living and aging out of care. LifeSet is an individualized, evidence-based community-based program that is highly intensive. LifeSet specialists meet with participants face to face at least once each week. They text, email and call young people regularly throughout the week, when needed. Specialists stabilize even the toughest situations and help young people build healthy relationships, obtain safe housing, education and employment. LifeSet is one of the nation’s first — and now one of the largest — evidence-based programs helping young people who age out of foster care. More than 20,000 young people have been helped through LifeSet across the country since the program began in 1999. Learn more about our Emerging Adult Care here: https://lnkd.in/gsSGh2yz Our youth in care are eligible for LifeSet at age 17-1/2. If you think back to those years transitioning from school to adulthood, you know a lot of it wasn’t easy. Young people who age out of the foster care system often don’t have someone to help them on their path. In December, our young adults living at Lehre House and Hagar House in our transitional living program became eligible when DCFS approved a continuum contract for high acuity youth with complex care needs. LifeSet partners play an integral role in making sure that every child aging out of foster care can access the help they need to achieve their goals. Youth Villages provides training and ongoing support to public and private agencies to help ensure the success of the program and fidelity to the model in each location. 

Check out the latest from the PEERS Press! This month we cover Global Diversity Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Diwali, Polish American Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week, and National Coming Out Day.   The #dei Advisory Council at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, called P.E.E.R.S. (PROMOTE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER, REDEFINE, SUPPORT) works to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are ever present at Hoyleton. The mission of our council is to be intentional about our commitment and to empower our staff, clients and members of the communities we serve. The P.E.E.R.S. Press is a monthly newsletter created to educate staff on social and cultural issues.

We're #hiring a new Training and Development Specialist in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to Hoyleton Board Member Ann Ferguson-Stephens for her commitment to our mission. Ann served on our board for nine years and spent one term as our Board Chair. We experienced substantial growth and accomplished lofty goals during her leadership. Thank you Ann for your passion and dedication to Hoyleton!