for Children and Youth - Ventura County Star

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iv Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth Message from Dr. Charles Weis, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Ventura County is a wonderful place to live. We benefit from a temperate climate and have abundant opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle because of our mountains, beaches and parks. Ventura County also boasts a vibrant economy, is culturally enriched and has outstanding schools. This is indeed a great place to live and work. Yet, too many of our young people feel disconnected from their schools and communities. They are smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs. Too many also are engaging in criminal activity and joining gangs. Something is wrong with this picture. In response to this concern, in December 2005, I sought nominations to establish a commission of influential community stakeholders that would address this critical issue. The members termed themselves the “Building Assets, Strengthening Individuals and Communities” – BASICO – Commission. I tasked the BASICO Commission with: ◆◆ Creating a community profile through a comprehensive needs assessment ◆◆ Researching proven strategies and best practices of successful youth programs, locally and nationwide ◆◆ Preparing and submit a written action blueprint for local residents, schools, policy-makers and community groups that would establish Ventura County as a caring and nurturing environment for our young people Twenty-two men and women who reflect the diversity and expertise of our entire county answered the call. While they come from different parts of the county, what they all have in common is a passion for the welfare of our young people. For the past two years, they have found the time out of their busy schedules to prepare this Call to Action. I extend my sincere appreciation for the Commissioners’ dedication and perseverance. I am extremely grateful to BASICO members and Co-Chairs Juanita Suarez, representing the Association of California School Administrators, and Tim Blaylock of the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard and Port Hueneme for their leadership. I also want to give special thanks to Patricia Contini and Annette Preciado of Ventura County Office of Education’s Health and Early Childhood Programs office for their diligent staff support for the Commission. This report tells a story about how we can work together to reduce youth drug and alcohol abuse and gang activity. All it takes is the will to act. Each of us can, through small acts of caring, build assets in our youth. These assets inoculate young people against self destructive behavior. With your help and the collective voice of BASICO, I am confident our community can make a difference in the lives of our young people and become a model for other communities to follow. Please join me in this Call to Action to make Ventura County a better place for young people to grow and prosper. Charles Weis, Ph.D. Ventura County Superintendent of Schools
Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth v Message from BASICO Co-Chairs Juanita Suarez and Tim Blaylock Imagine a world where all young people feel valued; where they develop the experiences, values, and qualities essential to growing up to be caring and responsible individuals. This is the goal of the “Building Assets, Strengthening Individuals and Communities” – BASICO – Commission. BASICO is working to mobilize our entire community to shift from viewing young people as challenges, to connecting with and seeing them as contributing members of society. A primary goal of BASICO is to transform Ventura County to ensure safe, caring and nurturing communities that embrace children and youth and support cohesive relationships. Remember the days when you were young? Did you have caring and supportive adults who provided the direction and opportunities that made you into the adult you are now? Think how valuable those persons are in your life and the difference they made as they mentored and supported you. This is your opportunity to do the same for young people in Ventura County. Young people need to feel they matter. Meaningful participation in leadership and service opportunities help youth grow as individuals who are empowered to make a difference. As adults, we can open doors for youth to have experiences that help build assets and positive relationships. Young people need to hear messages of high expectations from us. They need to know that we believe they can and will achieve success. Parents and families are the foundation of asset building, but all adults can and need to play a part in creating youth success. All of us can encourage, teach, coach or just listen to young people. What we propose is not new. We would like to see the simple concepts of caring adult relationships, meaningful participation, and high expectations become the basis for moving schools and communities forward to foster a sense of connection for all young people. Greg Wolfe, California Department of Education Consultant, Safe and Healthy Kids Program Office, shares that “40 years of research has led us to the point where we recognize it is a moral imperative that our communities create policies, goals, and strategies that provide the youth we are responsible for serving with the developmental supports and opportunities that will help them live healthy and meaningful lives.” This is a Call to Action. Together we can make this a community where children and youth are valued and protected. We all can start today. It costs nothing, just takes a little time. Juanita Suarez and Tim Blaylock Co-Chairs, BASICO Commission
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for Children and Youth - Ventura County Star

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