Adoption Day / State Refunds Go Electronic / Reducing Risky Behaviors

>>> COMING UP ON THE FORUM: ADOPTION IS CELEBRATED IN A VERY
SPECIAL WAY IN NORFOLK. YOU'RE INVITED TO THE CEREMONY.
>>> NO MORE PAPER CHECKS FOR YOUR STATE INCOME TAX REFUND.
WE'LL EXPLAIN. >>> AND WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT A
SUMMER CAMP TO HELP YOUNG TEENS REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIOR.
HUMAN SERVICES FORUM BEGINS RIGHT NOW.
CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION ASSOCIATES, LLC
www.captionassociates.com >>> HI, I'M JAN CALLAGHAN.
WELCOME TO THE FORUM. EVERY YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES JOINS THE JUSTICES OF THE JUVENILE AND
DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT TO CELEBRATE NORFOLK'S
NEWEST FAMILIES. TV 48'S JOHN LINKA EXPLAINS.
>> ALL RISE. ALL RISE.
>> Reporter: THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME THESE KIDS AND
PARENTS WANT TO SEE THE INSIDE OF A COURTROOM.
ON THIS DAY, EVERYONE WAS GATHERED HERE TO CELEBRATE
NORFOLK'S SIXTH ANNUAL RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL ADOPTION
DAY. >> IT IS WHAT WE CALL THE
CELEBRATION OF BEING CHOSEN. FOR THE KIDS, CONGRATULATIONS.
WE HONOR YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE FORMED THE CORE OF A FAMILY.
NOT BECAUSE OF CHANCE, BUT BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS YEARNED TO
FIND YOU. WITH HOPEFUL HEARTS, THEY
SEARCHED FOR YOU, AND WITH GREAT JOY, THEY FOUND YOU.
AND WHEN THEY FOUND YOU, THEY CHOSE YOU OVER ALL OTHERS.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 30 NORFOLK FOSTER CHILDREN WERE
CHOSEN BY THESE PARENTS TO JOIN THEIR FAMILIES.
>> AS ADOPTED KIDS, YOU JOIN A PRETTY PERSONAL GROUP OF
PEOPLE -- PRETTY SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE.
SOME OF OUR GREATEST LEADERS AND ARTISTS WERE ADOPTED KIDS.
FROM AUGUSTUS CAESAR, THE FIRST EMPEROR OF ROME, TO JOHN LENNON
OF THE BEATLES, ADOPTED KIDS HAVE GROWN UP TO HAVE A HUGE
IMPACT ON ALL OF OUR LIVES. PEOPLE AS DIVERSE AS THE
BRILLIANT GENERAL STONEWALL JACKSON AND THE BRILLIANT
SCIENTIST GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER BEGAN THEIR JOURNEYS AS
ADOPTED KIDS. >> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE
ADOPTED KIDS, KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE CEREMONY, JILLIAN JONES.
>> WITH MY FAMILIES AND ALL THE QUIRKS AND THEIR UPS AND DOWNS,
I CAN'T IMAGINE MY LIFE WITHOUT THEM OR BEING DIFFERENT.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME KIND OF VOID IN MY LIFE THAT I'M
NISING BY NOT KNOWING MY BIRTH MOM OR FAMILY.
>> Reporter: NOT ONLY WAS SHE ADOPTED HER, BUT SHE AND HER
HUSBAND, NORFOLK CITY MANAGER MARCUS JONES, ARE ADOPTIVE
PARENTS. >> JOSHUA IS AN AMAZING SON, HE
IS FUNNY, SMART, CUTE AS A PIE. HE LOVES TO BE THE CENTER OF
ATTENTION. HE'S NOT AFRAID TO MEET PEOPLE
AND HE REALLY MAKES NEW FRIENDS VERY EASILY.
>> MAYBE THERE IS A FUTURE PRESIDENT OR SOMEONE WHO FINDS A
CURE FOR CANCER OR BECOMES THE FIRST PERSON TO SET FOOT ON
MARS. TIME WILL TELL, BUT ONE THING WE
KNOW FOR SURE, WHEREVER YOU KIDS GO AND WHATEVER YOU DO, A LOT OF
CREDIT WILL BELONG TO THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM
WHO ARE YOUR PARENTS. YOU PARENTS ARE SO SPECIAL, YOU
ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO US, SO MUCH A REMINDER OF WHY WE
CHOSE CAREERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN.
>> ME AND MY WIFE WERE DISCUSSING ABOUT HAVING ANOTHER
CHILD, AND THE ADOPTION CAME UP. SO WE LOOKED INTO IT, WE DID
SOME RESEARCH, AND THE MORE WE GOT INTO IT, THE MORE WE LIKE
IT. WE WERE FOSTER PARENTS FIRST,
BUT WHEN THESE TWO YOUNG MEN CAME INTO OUR LIVES, THEY JUST
KIND OF TOOK US AWAY. >> WE APPRECIATE THE LOVE THAT
THEIR MOTHER GAVE, THEIR BIRTH MOTHER GAVE THAT SHE ALLOWED US
TO BE ABLE TO ADOPT TO BE OUR CHILDREN FOREVER.
>> Reporter: WHAT DO SOME OF THE KIDS LIEBLG THE MOST ABOUT THEIR
NEW FAMILIES? >> VACATION.
>> THEY LET US GO OUTSIDE AND GO TO OUR GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.
>> Reporter: AFTER CERTIFICATES WERE GIVEN AND SNAPSHOTS TAKEN,
THE NORFOLK SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD SOME NEW FUZZY FRIENDS FOR ALL
OF THE KIDS. JUDGE WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS HAD
JUST ONE MORE COURTROOM TASK TO DO AND HE GOT THE HELP OF ONE OF
THE NEWLY ADOPTED KIDS IN 10-YEAR-OLD KIONNE.
>> COURT IS ADJOURNED. >> CURRENTLY, MORE THAN 42
CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN NORFOLK FOSTER CARE ARE WAITING FOR
PERMANENT, LOVING HOMES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
LEARNING MORE ABOUT FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTING, CONTACT
NORFOLK HUMAN SERVICES' ADOPTION UNIT AT 664-6585.
ALSO VISIT THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES'
WEBSITE AT WWW.DSS.VIRGINIA.GOV. >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL
FILL YOU IN ON A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE INVOLVING YOUR STATE
INCOME TAX REFUND, YOUR OPTIONS AS A TAXPAYER, AND WHERE YOU CAN
GET YOUR TAXES PREPARED AT NO COST, NO KIDDING.
>>> THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION IS IMPLEMENTING A
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE WAY INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX REFUNDS
ARE ISSUED. TO MAKE SURE THAT TAXPAYERS
UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE AND THAT YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU
NEED TO CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO RECEIVE YOUR 2012 REFUND,
JOINING ME ARE RODNEY WHITT, STATE TAX AUDITOR WITH THE
NORFOLK COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE'S OFFICE, AND JACKIE
CROSS, FINANCIAL AND MARKETING MANAGER FOR GUARDIAN FEDERAL
CREDIT UNION. THAT IS HEADQUARTERED IN
PORTSMOUTH. THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THIS IS A TIME OF YEAR WHEN PEOPLE ARE MAYBE THINKING TAXES
OR REFUNDS AND ALL OF THAT, SO WE HAVE A CHANGE THAT IS
SIGNIFICANT AND THAT THERE ARE NO MORE PAPER CHECKS COMING TO
PEOPLE WHO HAVE A STATE REFUND COMING.
AND THIS IS -- WELL, STATE PAPER CHECKS ARE -- THEY HAVE BEEN
JUST BEEN THERE AS LONG AS MOST PEOPLE CAN REMEMBER.
>> A THING OF THE PAST FOR MOST VIRGINIA TAXPAYERS.
>> OKAY, MOST VIRGINIA TAXPAYERS WILL HAVE TO GO WITH DIRECT
DEPOSIT INSTEAD. >> DIRECT DEPOSIT OR THE DEBIT
CARD. >> OKAY.
SO WITH A STATE REFUND, SAY I HAVE A STATE REFUND COMING TO ME
AND I'M EITHER PREPARING MY TAXES OR GETTING THEM
PREPARED -- WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE -- WILL THERE BE A
QUESTION ON MY FORM THAT ASKS ME THIS?
>> IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION WITH YOUR
DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION, YOUR REFUND WILL BE ON A DEBIT CARD.
>> OKAY. SO THE DEBIT CARD IS SOMETHING
THAT THE COMMONWEALTH HAS SET UP WITH A COMPANY SO THAT WHEN
PEOPLE GET THEIR REFUND, IT WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY DEPOSITED
ON TO THAT OR LOADED ON TO THAT DEBIT CARD.
>> PREPAID DEBIT CARD, YES. >> A PREPAID CARD, AND MANY
PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF PREPAID CARDS BY NOW, BUT THEY MAY NOT
HAVE HAD ONE BEFORE AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY SURE HOW THEY WORK.
BUT THAT IS HOW IT WOULD WORK UNLESS THEY HAVE, PERHAPS, AN
ACCOUNT THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE THAT MONEY DIRECTLY DEPOSITED
INTO. >> CORRECT.
>> THIS IS A BIG CHANGE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> IT IS A CHANGE. I MEAN, TAXPAYERS HAVE ALWAYS
HAD TWO OPTIONS IN THE PAST, DIRECT DEPOSIT OR CHECK.
MOVING FORWARD, IT'S GOING TO BE DIRECT DEPOSIT OR DEBIT CARD.
MANY PEOPLE USE, YOU KNOW, CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARDS, SO
NOT A BIG CHANGE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT SOMETHING TO GET
USED TO AS FAR AS YOUR STATE REFUND.
>> RIGHT. THIS IS SAVING THE STATE SOME
MONEY TOO AND I GUESS ULTIMATELY THAT MEANS THE TAXPAYER, WHEN WE
GET DOWN TO IT. >> YES.
>> QUITE A BIT OF MONEY. >> TREASURY ESTIMATES ABOUT
$200,000 IN SAVINGS. >> SO THE SWITCHOVER IS GOING TO
SAVE SOME MONEY IN PROCESSING AND WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT IT DOES
MEAN A CHANGE IN HABITS FOR SOME PEOPLE.
AND JACKIE CAN GUARDIAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, YOU HAVE A NUMBER
OF WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN ACCESS MONEY OR DEPOSIT MONEY.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT GUARDIAN DOES AND WHO YOU ARE
AND WHAT IT IS THAT YOU OFFER IN ADDITION TO, SAY, A DEBIT CARD
OR PLUS A DEBIT CARD. >> OKAY, WE'RE LOCATED IN
DOWNTOWN PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA. WE HAVE THREE BRANCHES IN
NORFOLK, AND YOU HAVE ACCESS TO 4500 LOCATIONS SO IT DOESN'T
MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU HAVE ACCESS
TO YOUR MONEY. WE OFFER THE DEBIT CARD AND THE
ATM CARD AND IF THEY CHOOSE TO HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT, THEY CAN
HAVE IT WITH US AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS BROAD, SO ALL THEY
HAVE TO DO IS CHECK OUR WEBSITE OR CALL US TO FIND OUT IF
THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP, WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM BANKS.
SO PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO THE CREDIT UNION HAVE TO BE IN
MEMBERSHIP. WE OFFER CHECKING ACCOUNTS WHICH
WE CALL SHARE DRAFT AND WE ALSO OFFER SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AND WITH
US, AS WITH ALL CREDIT UNIONS, THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT IS YOUR
PRIMARY ACCOUNT FIRST, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT AND THEN WE HAVE
THE CHECKING ACCOUNTS. AND IF THEY HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT,
THE MONEY CAN GO IN THE SAVINGS OR CHECKING AND THEY WILL HAVE
ACCESS TO IT. THEY CAN GO TO THE ATM MACHINE,
USE THE DEBIT CARD, WHICH WE DON'T CHARGE A FEE FOR THE POINT
OF SALE, OR THEY CAN WRITE CHECKS OR THEY CAN TRANSFER,
COME IN TO THE BRANCH TO CASH -- GET THE MONEY OUT.
THERE'S MANY OPTIONS AND AS I SAID, WE HAVE 4500 LOCATIONS SO
THEY DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY COME TO PORTSMOUTH TO GET THE
MONEY OUT. THEY CAN GO TO THE OUTLET TO
WITHDRAW THEIR MONEY OR WHEN THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND
MAKE A PURCHASE, THEY CAN GET CASH BACK.
>> CASH BACK, THAT ALWAYS RINGS NICELY IN ONE'S EAR.
OF COURSE, WE'RE NOT -- WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION, WE'RE
KEEPING IT SIMPLE. IT'S LIKE, YOU GOT AN ACCOUNT,
YOU CAN PUT IT -- SAY IT'S GUARDIAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
AND YOU WANT TO PUT SOME MONEY AWAY AND SAVE OR YOU WANT TO PUT
SOME ON A CHECKING ACCOUNT OR A DEBIT CARD AND SPEND.
THE OTHER OPTION IS IF YOU DON'T DO THOSE THINGS, YOU DON'T HAVE
AN ACCOUNT OR YOU DON'T MAKE A COMOIS TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE YOUR
MONEY LOADED ON TO THIS PREPAID CARD AND THERE ARE, OF COURSE,
LIKE ANY CARDS, THERE MAY BE SOME FEE.
IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU'RE WORKING WITH AND WHAT -- YOU KNOW, WHO
IS BEHIND IT, BUT ANYBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE GOING TO ROUTE, TO
KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT THE DEBIT CARD IS ALL ABOUT.
WHERE CAN THEY FIND OUT? >> THERE IS A VIRGINIA.TAX.GOV
THAT THEY CAN GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBIT CARD.
>> AND JUST THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE DIRECT DEPOSIT.
>> SURE, AND, OF COURSE, WHEN THEY RECEIVE THE DEBIT CARD FROM
THE DEPARTMENT, THERE WILL BE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ACTIVATE
THE CARD, FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARD.
THERE ARE SOME FEES, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE ATM FEES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE BANK THAT YOU DEAL WITH AND NOT WITH THE DEBIT CARD
ITSELF. >> OKAY.
>> YOU DO HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF GOING INTO A BANK AND MAKING A
ONE-TIME WITHDRAWAL ON THE DEBIT CARD FOR NO FEE.
>> SO WE HAVE BASIC INFORMATION, WAYS TO FIND OUT MORE.
IT IS UP TO THE TAXPAYER AS TO WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO AND HOW
YOU CHOOSE TO DO IT, BUT THE INFORMATION IS THERE AND IT'S
AVAILABLE AND I'M SURE ANYBODY IN THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
WILL BE ABLE TO STEER YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND ANYBODY AT
GUARDIAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU AND ANY
HUB OF THE BANKS AROUND -- NUMBER OF BANKS AROUND THE AREA
TOO CAN STEER YOU IN THE DIRECTION TO GET MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO DIRECT DEPOSIT YOUR STATE TAX REFUND OR
PUT IT ON THE PREFADE CARD. BUT YOU HAVE A LITTLE HOMEWORK
TO DO, SO IT'S NOT AS EASY AS THE CHECK IN THE MAIL AS YOU MAY
HAVE IN THE PAST. THAT'S CHANGE AND NOT EVERYBODY
LIKES THAT, BUT THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
I WANTED TO ALSO MENTION THAT THESE TWO ARE REPRESENTING TWO
DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT FREE TAX PREPARATION
SITES IN THE AREA, SO IT'S PART OF A LARGER GROUP CALLED THE
SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT COALITION AND
IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, YOU'RE LOW TO
MODERATE INCOME TAXPAYER, WORKING TAXPAYER, YOU MAY
QUALIFY FOR FREE TAX PREP ASSISTANCE, AND THIS WOULD BE --
GUARDIAN HAS A LOCATION IN PORTSMOUTH WHERE THAT TAKES
PLACE, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, 309 COUNTY STREET,
DOWNTOWN PORTSMOUTH. >> AND THE COMMISSIONER OF
REVENUE IN NORFOLK WOULD BE AT CITY HALL?
>> CITY HALL T 18 UNION STREET. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND YEAR
WE'VE HOSTED THE ROVING SITE. >> AND IT'S PROVED VERY POPULAR.
>> YES, IT IS. >> AND YOU, I'M SURE, HAVE
EXPERIENCED THE SAME. >> CAN I MAKE ONE COMMENT TOO?
IF SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE NO LONGER ABLE TO BE BANKED BECAUSE
THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, IF THEY COME TO US, TO
GUARDIAN, THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN HELP THEM TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
WITH US SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT FOR THEIR STATE
INCOME TAX REFUND. >> ALL RIGHT, GOOD.
SO DON'T JUST WRITE IT OFF BECAUSE YOU THINK I'VE HAD
PROBLEMS BEFORE, I CAN'T DO IT, THE ONLY OPTION I HAVE IS TO GO
ONE WAY AND ONE WAY ONLY. SO YOU'VE GOT THE DOOR OPEN FOR
PEOPLE TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. >> YES.
>> ALSO FOR FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES WHICH CAN BE EXPENSIVE
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO BEGIN WITH, WE CAN TALK $200
AND UP FOR FEES AND THAT'S $200 OF YOUR MONEY, SO, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WON'T SEE AGAIN BUT YOU CAN GET IT -- YOU
DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT OUT AT ALL THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. SO WITH TWO ROVING SITES AMONG
MANY AND OUR PARTNERS AT UNITED WAY HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL IN
ORGANIZING ALL THAT, YOU HAVE A LITTLE HEADS-UP ON SOME
INFORMATION AND MORE THAT WE'LL BE SENDING OUT TO YOU IN THE
FORM OF FREE TAX PREPARATION SITES THROUGHOUT SOUTH HAMPTON
ROADS AND THERE ARE SITES ALSO IN THE CITY OF NORFOLK,
INCLUDING AT OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT 201 EAST
LITTLE CREEK ROAD. A LOT OF THAT GETS UNDERWAY, TAX
FILING AND THE IRS STARTS ACCEPTING RETURNS ON THE 22nd OF
JANUARY, IS THAT CORRECT? >> I THINK SO.
>> JANUARY 22nd, SO YOU STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, BUT
IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW.
>> YES. >> GET YOUR PAPERS IN ORDER.
ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE AS THEY'RE GETTING READY TO PULL ALL OF
THAT TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED FOR TAX
PREPARATION? >> USUALLY THE SITE PROVIDES A
LIST OF WHAT THEY NEED TO BRING WITH THEM AND THAT HELPS.
IF THEY DON'T FIND IT ON THE SITE, WHEN THEY MAKE THE
APPOINTMENT, WE CAN ALWAYS TELL THEM OVER THE PHONE WHAT THEY
CAN BRING. >> OKAY, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME
DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BRING SO IT
GOES SMOOTHLY AND YOU DON'T ENCOUNTER ANY BUMPS AND GET THE
MOST YOU CAN POSSIBLY GET FROM YOUR REFUND, FEDERAL AND STATE,
AND WITH AS LITTLE PROBLEM AS POSSIBLE.
GUARDIAN'S PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITE UP THERE, SO IF YOU'RE
INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO MAYBE OPENING AN ACCOUNT OR YOU'VE HAD
PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, THEY'RE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU AND
CERTAINLY OTHER BANKS IN THE AREA WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO
TALK TO YOU AND OF COURSE THE NORFOLK COMMISSIONER OF
REVENUE'S OFFICE WILL HELP YOU AND BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS
PROVIDE FREE TAX FILING ASSISTANCE BEGINNING MOST LIKELY
IN FEBRUARY WHICH IS WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AROUND
GETTING THEIR TAXES DONE. THIS IS THE CARD THAT THE
STATE -- DEBIT CARD THAT RODNEY WAS SPEAKING OF.
SO IF YOU DON'T STEER YOUR STATE TAX REFUND TO AN ACCOUNT, IT
WILL GO INTO THAT CARD. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU
KNEW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. >> AND IN ADDITION TO THE VITA
SITE, THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, WE PREPARE STATE INCOME TAX
YEAR-ROUND AND ALSO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF YOU RECEIVE A TAX
ASSESSMENT LETTER OR GARNISHMENT IN A PREVIOUS YEAR, WE CAN HELP
YOU WITH THOSE ISSUES. >> THIS IS GOOD TO KNOW.
THIS IS NOT 24/7, BUT OUTSIDE OF THE FILING SEASON, THE
COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE'S OFFICE WILL ASSIST WITH TAXES, BECAUSE
TAXES DON'T GO AWAY AFTER APRIL 15th, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO
DO? THANK YOU FOR SHARING
INFORMATION WITH US ABOUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE AND THEY
HAVE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND GIVE YOU A CALL AND FIND OUT
MORE. THANKS FOR THE INFO AND
APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>>> WHEN WE RETURN, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT WHAT ORGANIZERS ARE
CALLING A WIN-WIN OPPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS, PARENTS, AND
THE COMMUNITY.
>>> EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG TEENS CAN INCLUDE MORE
THAN READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC.
A SPRING AND SUMMER PROGRAM TARGETING YOUNG TEENS IS
AVAILABLE TO BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS IN NORFOLK AND OTHER CITIES IN
HAMPTON ROADS. TASHA DAWSON AND KAREN WILKINS
ARE PROJECT DIRECTOR AND PROJECT COORDINATOR, RESPECTIVELY, FOR A
PROGRAM CALLED "YES! DARE 2 DREAM."
THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR AN INTERESTING, LOOK AT AN
INTERESTING PROGRAM THAT TARGETS TEENS BETWEEN 13 AND 16 YEARS
OLD, VERY CRITICAL AGE, AND TO REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIORS.
WELL, THAT CAN COVER A LOT OF GROUND, BUT I THINK
SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADOLESCENT PREGNANCIES AND
ALL THE THINGS THAT ATTEND TO THAT BECAUSE THAT CAN JUST
CHANGE A YOUNG TEEN'S LIFE FOREVER.
SO AS THIS PROGRAM IS -- IS IT AN ANNUAL EVENT OR IS IT
SOMETHING THAT IS JUST STARTING UP IN.
>> IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT. WE ARE A GRANT-FUNDED
ORGANIZATION, SO LIKE YOU SAID, JAN, IT DOES HAPPEN DURING THE
SUMMERTIME. THE PROGRAM IS 12 HOURS FOR
THREE WEEKS. ANYONE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 TO
16 RIGHT HERE IN NORFOLK AND OTHER CITIES IN HAMPTON ROADS
ARE ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN EVERY SUMMER, SO
THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR WITH THIS GRANT.
IT IS A FIVE-YEAR GRANT AND AFTER THAT, WE'LL CONTINUE WITH
MORE PROGRAMS. >> OKAY, GREAT.
SO WHAT IS THE -- WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'RE TARGETING WITH THESE
TEENS? >> WE'RE TARGETING RISKY
BEHAVIORS, COLLEGE PLANNING. WE'RE ALSO TARGETING LEADERSHIP
SKILLS AND JUST HELPING THEM TO BRANCH INTO THEIR FUTURE.
>> AND TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR LIVES AT AN EARLY AGE.
>> YES. >> AND SO THOSE SKILLS AND THE
KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO THEM.
>> YES. >> NOW, THE IDEA OF TRYING TO
REDUCE OR MINIMIZE SOME OF THE BEHAVIORS THAT MAY LEAD TO, SAY,
AN ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY, THIS IS ALL A PART OF A CURRICULUM -- IS
THIS A FAITH-BASED CURRICULUM ESSENTIALLY OR IS THIS --
>> NO. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, WE'RE
ACTUALLY LOOKING AT TWO SEPARATE CURRICULUMS.
BOTH OF THEM ARE ABSTINENCE FOCUSED, SO WE'RE TRYING TO SEE
WHICH CURRICULUM WORKS BEST IN A COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING.
THE TWO WE HAVE ARE CALLED CHOOSING THE BEST AND POSSESSING
YOUR POWER. CHOOSING THE BEST FOCUSES IN ON
IF YOU TEACH A CHILD HOW TO HAVE CORRECT BEHAVIORS WHEN THEY GET
IN SITUATIONS, THEY WILL MODEL THOSE BEHAVIORS.
POSSESSING YOUR POWER IS IF YOU CAN BUILD A CHILD UP FROM THE
INSIDE, FOCUSING ON THEIR CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, AND WHEN
THEY GET IN RISKY BEHAVIORS OR RISKY SITUATIONS, THEY WILL
MODEL CORRECT BEHAVIORS. SO WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT TWO
SEPARATE CURRICULUMS TO TRY TO SEE WHICH WORKS BEST,
SPECIFICALLY HERE IN THE HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY WITH THIS
POPULATION. >> OKAY.
SO HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE YOU'RE GOING TO OFFER?
IS IT WHEN YOU'RE THERE THAT YOU KIND OF TEST IT OUT OR WHO GETS
REFERRED TO YOU? >> WE DO HAVE AN EVALUATOR AND
HE WAS FROM BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, SO IT IS RANDOMIZED.
WE HAVE PARTNERS ALL ACROSS HAMPTON ROADS AND WE LET THEM
KNOW BEFORE THEY HAVE THEIR PROGRAMS WHICH CURRICULUM
THEY'RE GOING TO GET. EACH PARTNER DOES AGREE TO
FACILITATE THREE SESSIONS IN THE SUMMER, SO EACH SESSION CAN BE A
DIFFERENT CURRICULUM. BUT WE TRAINED THEM ON BOTH
CURRICULUMS, SO THAT'S HOW THE CURRICULUMS ARE SELECTED.
>> SO HOW MANY OF THESE TEENS ARE IN EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS?
>> FOR EACH SESSION, THREE-WEEK SESSION, WE LOOK TO HAVE 15,
MAXIMUM 25 FOR EACH SESSION. >> OKAY.
ARE THEY CO-ED OR SEPARATE? >> CO-ED.
>> THEY ARE? ARE THERE SCENARIOS THAT THEY
ACT -- THEY HAVE TO DO LIKE ROLE-PLAYING AND THINGS LIKE
THAT? >> YES.
SO WHEN ONE -- ONE OF THE CURRICULUMS, CHOOSING THE BEST,
THE FIRST CHAPTER IS ACTUALLY GUYS VERSUS GIRLS, SO IT GETS
THE TEENS, WHAT DO GUYS THINK AND THE GUYS ARE ABLE TO TALK
ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND HOW THEY THINK ABOUT SEX AND THEN
THEY ALSO ASK THE GIRLS, WHAT DO GIRLS THINK.
AND, OF COURSE, IN THE CLASS, IT GETS PRETTY HEATED AND TALKATIVE
ABOUT HOW GUYS AND GIRLS VIEW EACH OTHER DIFFERENTLY, BUT IT
ALSO GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF WHAT THE OTHER
SEX THINKS. >> I'M SURE IT DOES GENERATE A
LOT OF ENERGY AND THE IDEA -- AND I'M SURE ANGER IN SOME
RESPECTS AND ALSO JUST A LOT OF GIGGLES SINCE, YOU KNOW, KIDS
ARE KIDS. >> RIGHT.
>> SO THIS IS PROBABLY NOT SOMETHING THEY TALK ABOUT OPENLY
ALL THE TIME. >> RIGHT.
>> THAT'S THE IDEA, I GUESS, IS TO GET IT OUT THERE IN THE OPEN
SO PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY HEARING IT AND NOT JUST IMAGINING WHAT
THEY THINK THEY'RE THINKING. THERE ARE A LOT OF
MISCONCEPTIONS, I IMAGINE, THAT COME UP DURING THESE SESSIONS AS
WELL THAT KIDS THINK OR ASSUME. >> RIGHT, RIGHT.
SO EVEN IN SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, THEY GET MISCONCEPTIONS FROM
THEIR PEERS, FROM THE MEDIA. EVEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT EVERY
KID IS HAVING SEX WHEN WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT, OR THAT THEY
HAVE TO CHOOSE SEX OR, YOU KNOW, PREGNANCY IS THE RESULT OF SEX
AND A LOT OF TIMES, THERE'S MISCONCEPTIONS EVEN ABOUT THAT.
SO IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, ARE YOU STILL ABLE TO COMPLETE HIGH
SCHOOL, CAN YOU STILL GO TO COLLEGE, SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF
MISCONCEPTIONS, BUT THAT'S WHY THIS EDUCATION IS SO KEY AND
THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO JOIN THE PROGRAM SO THAT THE TEENS CAN
GET REAL INFORMATION AND MEDICALLY ACCURATE INFORMATION.
>> AND KAREN, HOW DO PEOPLE GET INTO THIS PROGRAM?
IS THIS DONE BY MAKING A PHONE CALL?
ARE THEY REFERRED? >> WELL, THEY CAN MAKE A PHONE
CALL TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND WE CAN TELL THEM HOW TO APPLY FOR
THE PROGRAM. IT IS A FREE PROGRAM.
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK ON OUR WEBSITE AND THEY CAN PULL DOWN
THE APPLICATION FROM THERE AND TURN IT IN TO OUR OFFICE.
WHAT'S GOING ON NOW, WE ARE TRYING TO PARTNER WITH
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL HOST THESE PROGRAMS AT THEIR BUSINESS
AND THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL TO BRING KIDS
IN TO THEIR ORGANIZATION SO THEY CAN TEACH THEM THE PROGRAM.
>> OKAY. SO YOU ARE SEEKING OUT
ORGANIZATIONS TO BE A PART OF THIS.
AND DO WE HAVE SOME IN NORFOLK THAT ARE ALREADY ON BOARD?
>> YES. SO THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAD TWO.
COMPASSION, WHICH IS A COUNSELING SERVICE AND ALSO A
BAPTIST CHURCH. WE'RE CREATING MORE
ORGANIZATIONS IN NORFOLK SPECIFICALLY AND ALSO OTHER
HAMPTON ROADS CITIES. >> AND YOU SAID THIS IS A FREE
PROGRAM, SO FOR PARENTS WHO MAY BE CONCERNED OR JUST BECAUSE
THEIR CHILD IS GETTING INTO THE YEARS WHERE INDEPENDENCE AND
INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND REBELLION AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER
THINGS ARE STARTING TO REALLY SHOW THEMSELVES, IT'S A GREAT
WAY TO GET A CHILD WHILE THEY'RE IN THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS TO
START TAKING WHAT THEY THINK AND TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF
ACCOUNTABILITY. >> RIGHT.
>> FOR WHAT IT IS AND HOW THEY BEHAVE.
I GUESS WE DON'T OFTEN THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF
ACTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT AND WHEN HORMONES
ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING, IT CAN BE VERY HARD.
>> YES. >> VERY, VERY TOUGH FOR KIDS TO
FEEL LIKE THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING OR BEING COOL OR
DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.
>> RIGHT. >> BECAUSE THEY THINK EVERYBODY
ELSE IS DOING IT. >> IN ADDITION TO ORGANIZATIONS
PARTNERING WITH US, WE'RE ALSO GIVING INCENTIVES FOR THOSE
ORGANIZATIONS TO TEACH THIS PROGRAM AT THEIR LOCATIONS.
>> OKAY. SO INCENTIVES FOR THE
ORGANIZATIONS TO DO IT AT THEIR LOCATION, AND DO YOU TRAIN THEM
TO ACTUALLY CONDUCT THE SESSIONS?
>> YES. SO IT IS A TRAIN THE TRAINER
MODEL, SO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS, THEY WILL THEIR OWN STAFF AND
COME IN AND GET TRAINED AND THEN THEY FACILITATE THE SESSIONS AT
THEIR SUMMER SITE. >> DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR DATE
THAT YOU'RE -- I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THERE'S SOME TIME
SENSITIVITY TO THIS MESSAGE GETTING OUT FOR PEOPLE TO
RESPOND OR ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND.
DO YOU HAVE A TIME FRAME? >> FOR ORGANIZATIONS, WE'LL LIKE
THEM TO RESPOND BY JANUARY SO THAT WE CAN FORMALLY SET THE
PARTNERSHIP UP. IN MARCH IS WHEN WE START
TRAINING, AND THEN OUR PROGRAMS START IN JUNE.
>> OKAY. SO YOU'VE GOT THE MONTH OF
JANUARY TO THINK ABOUT IT AND CERTAINLY YOU WILL BE HEARING
ABOUT IT, SO THAT'S A GOOD THING, SO YOU CAN CONTACT THEM
AT 827-7787 OR GO TO THEIR WEBSITE AND FIND INFORMATION AS
WELL AND IF YOU'RE A PARENT THAT'S INTERESTED IN THIS, YOU
KNOW, KEEP THIS IN MIND. YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL AND ASK
ABOUT THE YES DARE 2 DREAM PROGRAM OR THE LIFE SKILLS
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IS ALSO VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND SEE
WHAT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR YOUR CHILD OR FOR SOMEBODY ELSE'S
CHILD THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT AND YOU MAY WANT TO SUGGEST.
GOOD STUFF. THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
AND SHARING THE GOOD INFORMATION.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU. >> THANKS FOR HAVING US.
>> THANK YOU. >> WELL, WE APPRECIATE YOU
JOINING US AS WELL AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME.
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