In every groundhog community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision and need to know that someone cares about them.
Promotes Competences
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Grants To Cities And Tribal Communities
As part of Attorney General Holder’s Defending Childhood Initiative, grants to eight cities and tribal communities have been awarded. These grants are aimed at developing strategic plans for comprehensive, community-based anti-violence efforts, including anti-bullying programs. In Boston, Massachusetts, for example, they’re supporting work to implement state-wide school bullying intervention and prevention legislation. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, they’re funding efforts to expand restorative justice services for youth involved with bullying. And in Portland, Maine, they’re helping to train teachers and other school staff in bullying prevention strategies.
A Message From Attorney General Eric Holder
Since the launch of the Defending Childhood Initiative in 2010 the Justice Department has been working with leading researchers to take an in-depth look at the problem of children exposed to violence. What they have learned has been a wake-up call, and warning bell, for all of us. They found that the majority of our kids have been exposed to crime, abuse, and violence — many in their own homes. And both direct and indirect exposure to violence is having a profound negative impact on the mental and emotional development of young people across the country.
Engagement With Youth Is Essential
Local, state, and regional child-serving initiatives and agencies should be directed to involve youth as leaders, planners, problem solvers, and communicators and be given the support they need to do this. Engagement with youth is essential in order to develop effective solutions to the complex problems leading to and resulting from children’s exposure to violence
What Parents Can Do
The best way to help children is to make sure that they feel safe (for example, creating a predictable environment, encouraging them to express their feelings by listening and hearing their stories) and ensuring that they know that the violence they witnessed or experienced was not their fault.
Ways Parents Can Help
Remaining calm and reinforcing a stable and safe environment;
Keeping a regular schedule or routine for meals, quiet time, playtime, and bedtime;
Helping children prepare for changes and new experiences;
Spending more time together as a family;
Being patient and letting children identify and express feelings; and
Providing extra attention, comfort, and encouragement.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
It’s a big step for your little one, but you might find the enrollment in Big Brothers Big Sisters will give them a chance to see their unlimited potential and develop into even more responsible, successful, well-rounded individuals. To get started, contact the National Office listed below:
450 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 100
Irving, TX 75062
(469) 351-3100- phone
Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog
Involve Youth Prairie Dogs As Leaders
Bullying Defined
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
Aggressive Behavior
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include an Imbalance of Power. Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people and happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying Includes Various Actions
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Working in the Community
When the power of a community is brought together, bullying can be prevented, Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities.
Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”
Groundhog Bullying
You are encouraged to access the U.S. Government information “one-stop” link on bullying topics. We believe that you will find the material an excellent resource: StopBullying.gov
Met With Youth And Adult Leaders
Recently, at the 2012 National Inter-tribal Youth Summit, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, Mary Lou Leary, met with more than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native youth and adult leaders from 53 tribal communities across the country.
Held At 4-H Conference Center
The conference ran through August 2nd at the 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and at various locations in Washington, D.C. “I was inspired by the enthusiasm of these remarkable young people who are so strongly invested in the future of their communities, and so eager to help bring about positive change” she stated.
Critical Indian Country Issues Discussed By Teens
During the summit, the teens discussed the critical issues facing them in Indian Country. The participants had a chance to develop their leadership skills and engage in interactive discussions with tribal elders and leaders, youth advocates, and field experts on cultural values and community-based solutions to these pressing issues. They talked about their concerns with officials from Congress and the White House, and from the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services and Education.
Respond To Requests From Tribal Leaders
The Justice Department launched the Youth Summit initiative to promote long-term improvement in public safety in tribal communities. The Department was responding to requests from tribal leaders for the development of culturally appropriate prevention, treatment and reentry programs for tribal youth and families. The Summit provided an important opportunity for the Department to ask the young people themselves how they perceive the problems and what they recommend in formulating solutions.
Hear Directly From Youth Representatives
As Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West said at the opening ceremony: “This summit is an opportunity for those of us in Washington to hear directly from youth as representatives of their tribe. The choices that young leaders make will help define the future of their tribal nations. Working together, we can develop solutions to the challenges that they, their families, and their peers face each day.”
Creating Positive Change
The 4-H program is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, reaching more than 7 million 4-H youth in urban and neighborhoods, suburban school yards, and rural farming communities. Fueled by University-backed curriculum, 4-H’ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, healthy living, and food security.
Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”
Prairie Dogs Watch Representative From Sicangu Lakota Tribe,
Singing The National Anthem In Her Native Language
Lorna HerManyHorses, from the Sicangu Lakota Tribe, opens the morning session by singing the National Anthem in her native language. More than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native youth and adult leaders from 53 tribal communities across the country attended the event. Photo Credit: Lonnie Tague for the Department of Justice
