This is a time of changes for how teenagers think, feel, and interact with others, and how their bodies grow. You may also observe the invincibility fable in your teen; a type of thought pattern most noted in teenagers that is characterized by the belief they won’t get caught when doing wrong and they won’t be hurt by engaging in risky behaviors. You play an important role in keeping your child safe―no matter how old he or she is. Here are some tips on how to address safety and other topics with your teen.
Partners ready to support you:
Advocates for Children CASA Connects helps reduce duplication and increase quality and effectiveness of services delivered to youth and families.
Advocates for Children CASA Dependency & Neglect: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers provide the Court and other responsible persons with independent and objective information regarding the safety, permanency and wellbeing of the child.
Advocates for Children CASA Foundations provides young adults (ages 18-24) with one-on-one mentoring support.
Advocates for Children CASA Juvenile Delinquency: Volunteers help youth with open juvenile delinquency cases.
Advocates for Children CASA Legacy Project helps persons between the ages of 13 and 23 with acquiring life skills, goal setting and resource navigation.
Advocates for Children CASA Truancy Program: Volunteers work to understand barriers keeping children out of school and work closely with the school district and professionals to mitigate concerns before they rise to the level of a Dependency and Neglect case.
Developmental Pathways Children’s Extensive Supports (Medicaid Waiver) provides services and supports that will help children establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion.
Developmental Pathways Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (Medicaid Waiver) provides services for children and youth who have an I/DD and very high needs.
Developmental Pathways Children’s Home and Community Based Service (Medicaid Waiver) helps children under 18 with significant medical needs who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Developmental Pathways Children Life Limiting Illness (Medicaid Waiver) helps children with a life-limiting illness.
Developmental Pathways Community Outreach Waitlist Service Program for individuals with developmental disabilities/delays and their families who are waiting for services or whose needs aren’t fully met by state or federally funded sources.
Developmental Pathways Family Support Services Program, a state-funded program that provides individualized support to families who are caring for a family member with disabilities, living in the home.
Developmental Pathways Hospital Back Up supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing hospital-level care to clients who are ventilator-dependent, have complex wounds or have medically complex needs.
Developmental Pathways Long Term Home Health provides services from a licensed and certified Home Health Agency for members who need intermittent Home Health Services.
Developmental Pathways Nursing Facilities are institutions certified by a state to offer 24-hour medical and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or health-related services.
Douglas County Community Response Teams (CRT) pairs a law enforcement officer with a mental health professional to help adults and youth experiencing a mental health crisis avoid the emergency room or jail and, instead, find the support they need to heal.
Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help – connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
Douglas County Libraries has opportunities for teens to connect, research, find a place to study, work on group projects or volunteer.
Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast
The Youth Care Compact is an enhanced care coordination program that links existing case management and care coordination service providers. It is offered through Douglas County and a network of dedicated community partners.