AT-RISK
YOUTH
TEEN
WHAT IS AN AT-RISK YOUTH?
DEFINITION OF AN AT-RISK YOUTH
AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS
AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS RELATED TOPICS
CHILDREN, YOUTH FAMILIES AT-RISK (CYFAR) PROGRAM
GRANTS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH
AT-RISK YOUTH LINKS
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SECTION 1
WHAT
IS
AN
AT-RISK
YOUTH?
A youth in this article is a teenager. It is a boy or a girl in their
teen years. They are of high school or college age. That's the easy
definition. The tricky explanation comes when describing the 'at-risk'
bit.
What makes a young person at risk? There are many ways of defining
'at risk'. Your child can be involved in a totally different situation
to another teen yet both can be at risk. Probably the best way to
discover if your teen is at risk is to ask if they fit into one or more
of the categories below. Is this your teen?
1.Is your teen in trouble at school?
Are their grades dropping? Do they clash with other students and/or with
members of staff? Are they disinterested in school? Are they playing truant?
2.Is your teen in trouble at home?
Do they refuse to obey their parents? Do they spend long periods of time in
their room? Do they argue with their siblings? Are they abusive to family
members? Do they refuse to help out with family chores or perform them badly?
3.Is your teen running around with the wrong crowd?
Do you know where your teen is, especially at night? Do you know what your teen
is doing when they go out? Do you know the family of the friends your teen hangs
out with?
4.Is your teen in trouble with the law?
Obviously if they have been arrested you will know they are in trouble. But has
your teen been warned by the police? Are the police keeping an eye on the gang
your teen is a part of? Does your teen regard law enforcement officers in a
derogatory and prejudicial manner?
5.Is your teen sick?
Taking drugs even the so-called soft drugs can have a bad effect on your child's
health. Have they lost their appetite? Do they seem depressed? Have they lost
their self-respect? Do they take little or no interest in their appearance?
6.Is your teen sexually active?
Are they aware of the dangers of unprotected sex? Are they mature enough to develop
a responsible attitude to intimacy? Are they sexually ignorant and likely to be part
of an unwanted pregnancy?
7.Is your teen a thief?
Do you notice money missing from your purse or wallet? Does your teen have items for
which they couldn't pay considering their allowance? Do you suspect your teen might
be involved in shoplifting or other crimes?
8.Is your teen involved with drugs and/or alcohol?
Have you found evidence of these substances in their room or in their clothes? Does
their behavior suggest they are involved with drugs? Do they drink alcohol openly at
home?
9.Is your teen emotionally unstable?
Do they fly off the handle? Are they often angry? Do they react strongly when
questioned?
10.Is your teen unable or unwilling to communicate?
Have you tried to talk calmly with your teen but hit a brick wall? Does your teen
avoid talking to you?
So having studied the points above, it should be easier for you to discover if your
son or daughter is at risk.
What is an At-Risk Youth?
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/what-is-an-at-risk-youth.html
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SECTION 2
DEFINITION
OF
AN
AT-RISK
YOUTH
Is it tough to be a teenager today? What is an at-risk youth?
There are many social experts who study human behavior and
argue that today’s kids are under stress as never before.
Gang warfare, street stabbings and shootings, proliferation of
drugs, binge drinking and the spread of sexually-transmitted
diseases all make life tough for today’s teens. And the tragic
result is that so many young people are caught up in a dangerous
lifestyle and place their health and even their life at risk.
How can you prevent your teen from being placed in the at-risk
category? Can you stop any problems before they occur or at
least become too serious? Here are some factors about teenage
behavior. Is your teen involved in any of these situations? If
so, the more situations the greater the likelihood they are
at-risk.
1. School life.
Is your teen failing at school, are their gradesdropping and are they
in conflict with staff?
2. Family life.
Is your teen rebellious? Do they argue often with their parents and/or
siblings? Do they threaten to run away or even go missing for periods
of time?
3. The law.
Is your with authority? Do the police come calling to interview your
child about certain incidents?
4. The community.
Is your teen a dropout from sporting clubs, the church or other local
group activities? Have they abandoned the things which once took pride
of place in their life?
5. Unusual behavior.
Is your teen prone to lose their cool beyond what might be considered
normal? Are they angry and abusive? Do they threaten you or other
family members? Have the dropped long-time friendships with their
peers?
6. Depression.
Is your teen spending long periods of time alone perhaps in their room?
Do they speak less and make fewer comments in family conversations? Have
they been medically examined for depression? Do they seem listless and
disinterested in most things?
7. Sexuality.
Is your teen sexually active? Do you know their partner or partners? Is
your teen aware of STDs? Is your teen well-informed when it comes to the
dangers of unprotected sex?
8. Truthfulness.
Have you caught out your teen telling lies? Do they seem secretive and
not open and forthcoming? Are they unwilling to give details of where
they’ve been or with whom? Do you suspect them of stealing from home?
9. Fear.
Are you afraid of your teen? Are you worried that what you say or do will
cause them to explode and use bad language? Has your teen threatened you
or your family?
10. Self-belief.
Does your teen seem to lack confidence? Are they without motivation for
most or many things? Do they have an “I don’t care” attitude to life?
Have they dropped their bundle?
The above points cover most of how a troubled teen behaves. If your
child fits into some of these categories, it is possible your teen
is at risk. Now is the time to intervene. Talk to your family doctor
and seek professional advice. Do not let the situation drift. The
health of your teen may be at risk.
Definition of an "At Risk Youth"
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/definition-of-an-qat-risk-youthq.html
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SECTION 3
AT-RISK
YOUTH
PROGRAMS
How can you tell if your child is at-risk? If your child is struggling
with any of the following issues, he or she may be at risk:
•Anger issues
•Defiance issues
•Drug Substance abuse (drug, alcohol or medication)
•Poor academic performance
•Poor sense of commitment to responsibilities
•Poor family relationships
•Socially withdrawn/poor social relationships
•Negative/harmful peer relationships
•Depression
•Self-destructive behavior (e.g. climbing rooftops)
•Deliberate self-harming (e.g. self-inflicted cuts on the wrist)
•Carrying/keeping contraband or illegal items
•Sexually promiscuous
Typically, children who are “at-risk” struggle to cope up with the stress
of their lives. Due to pressure, these children are more likely to break
down mentally. Whether to gain attention or as a means to get what they
want, they involve in self-destructive behaviors and harmful actions that
not only compromise themselves but other as well. If you suspect your
child being at-risk, you need to take action now before it is too late.
At Risk Youth Programs
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/
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SECTION 4
AT-RISK
YOUTH
PROGRAMS
RELATED
TOPICS
Youth Programs
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/
Everything You Need to Know About At Risk Youth Grants
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/everything-you-need-to-know-about-at-risk-youth-grants.html
Programs for At-Risk Youth
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/programs-for-at-risk-youth.html
Working With At-Risk Youth
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/working-with-at-risk-youth.html
Five Stages of Counseling An At-Risk Youth
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/five-stages-of-counseling-an-at-risk-youth.html
At-Risk Youth Facilities in Your State
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/at-risk-youth-facilities-in-your-state.html
Different Federal Grant Programs to Help At Risk Youths
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/different-federal-grant-programs-to-help-at-risk-youths.html
Youth Programs - What are my Options?
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/youth-programs-what-are-my-options.html
What is an At-Risk Youth?
http://www.atriskyouthprograms.com/youth-programs/what-is-an-at-risk-youth.html
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SECTION 5
CHILDREN
YOUTH
AND
FAMILIES
AT-RISK
PROGRAM
CYFAR
Through an annual Congressional appropriation for the National Children,
Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Program, the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
allocates funding to Land-Grant University Extension Services for community-
based programs for at-risk children and their families.
Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Program
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/family/cyfar/cyfar.html
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SECTION 6
GRANTS
FOR
AT-RISK
YOUTH
Grants for At-Risk Children
http://www.livestrong.com/article/205694-grants-for-at-risk-children/
Grants for Youth At Risk
http://www.educationmoney.com/youth_at_risk.html
Youth Services Competitive Grants
http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/Discretionary.cfm
Grants and Funding Opportunities for Service to
Youth and Families through Public Libraries
Funding for projects, programs, and collection development
Grants marked with an asterisks (*) are specifically for
libraries.
•*Alibris Collection Award
http://www.alibris.com/librarians/collection_award.cfm
•Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/company/codonation/co_donation.html
•Dollar General Community Grants
http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.aspx?Category=Community&SubCategory=Community%20Investments#CommunityGrants
•Early Reading First Program
http://www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/index.html
•*Family Literacy Library Services Grant
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/parchld/
•*Giant Step Award
http://www.galeschools.com/grant_goldmine/giant_award/about_giant.htm
•Hasbro Children's Foundation
http://www.hasbro.org/default.cfm?page=grantmaking
•Home Depot Grants
http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/awards.html
•Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/jkcf_web/content.aspx?page=2414227
•Libri Foundation
http://www.librifoundation.org/
•McKenzie Foundation
http://www.mckenziefoundation.us/guidelines.php#giving
•*Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming Award
http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsbucket/cavendishaward/cavendishaward.htm
•Milagro Foundation
http://www.milagrofoundation.org/
•Mockingbird Foundation, Inc.
http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/
•New York State Decentralization Grants (DEC)
http://www.nysca.org/public/home.cfm
•Ronald MacDonald House Charities
http://www.rmhc.org/rmhc/index/grants.html
•Rosie's For All Kids
http://www.forallkids.org/
•Starbucks Foundation
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/foundation.asp
•Target Community Giving
http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/local_giving.jhtm
•Verizon Foundation Grants Program
http://foundation.verizon.com/04009.shtml
Search for Grants
•Grants Action News
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/gan/
•National Service Learning Clearinghouse
http://www.servicelearning.org/resources/hot_topics/funding/index.php
•Grants and Funding Opportunities for Service
to Youth and Families through Public Libraries
http://www.flls.org/youth/grants.htm
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SECTION 7
AT-RISK
YOUTH
LINKS
AT-RISK.ORG
http://at-risk.org/
At-Risk Youth
http://www.servicelearning.org/topic/demographics-settings/at-risk
At-Risk Youth
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/service-activities/at-risk-youth
At-Risk Youth and Gang Prevention
http://www.justice.gov/archive/fbci/progmenu_atrisk.html
At-Risk Youth Programs
http://www.eprogramsearch.com/at-risk-youth-programs.php
At Risk Youth Programs
http://effectivebehavior.com/our-services/at-risk-youth-programs/
At Risk Youth and At Risk Teen Resources
http://www.familyfirstaid.org/at-risk-youth.html
Bureau for At-Risk Youth
http://www.at-risk.com/
Youth Arts Toolkit
http://www.americansforthearts.org/youtharts/
Youth Programs
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/youth.htm
Youth at Risk
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/youth-at-risk.aspx
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