Utah Behavioral Treatment Staff Visits Waco Campus
MCH staff welcomed a group from Pine Ridge Behavioral Treatment in Fairview, Utah, to the Waco campus in July. Pine Ridge is a residential behavioral and educational program dedicated to influencing change and helping adolescent males, ages 14 to 18, understand themselves more through various therapies. The agency is in the beginning stages of implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) into their programs. The group spoke with MCH employees from various departments and toured a home and the charter school. John Warren, MCH community engagement and training specialist, led the group throughout the day.
“Collaborating with childcare agencies from across the country only serves to better inform how we can deliver services here in Texas and New Mexico in a more effective manner,” Warren said. “Pine Ridge serves adolescent boys with the types of needs that our new Boys Ranch program will be serving and their staff have years of experience caring for this population. Because of our connection with them through our TBRI Ambassador Organization role, we have a resource in them we can look to for guidance as we build out our program.
“Nothing makes me feel more like we are working on a systemic level than working with other agencies to help them, their employees and their clients flourish, while we also flourish from our time with them,” Warren added.
For more information about community engagement opportunities, contact Warren at (254) 548-8360 or JWarren@MCH.org.
Family Outreach Prepares Families For School Year
MCH Family Outreach staff educated and supported families through activities, gatherings and services in 14 communities across Texas and New Mexico during the summer. Several teams also participated in back-to-school fairs and events alongside dozens of other agencies. Staff presented information on Outreach programs including family case management and in-home services, grandparent and caregiver services, foster care, and parent education.
“These are just a few of the many examples of community engagement and collaboration occurring throughout MCH Family Outreach,” said Traci Wagner, vice president for programs. “It is vital youth and families know they have someone to turn to for support throughout the school year and I am proud of our staff who step up and into the communities we serve.”
‘Fish Camp’ Orientation For Freshmen
The University of Texas–University Charter School (UT-UCS) hosted incoming freshmen for Fish Camp in early August. The orientation began with ice-breaker games that reinforced how good instruction and teamwork can make tasks easier. Students then listened to a presentation from UT-UCS Principal Michelle Meister and Assistant Principal Raul Kastner about the district mission and school year theme, as well as opportunities available to high school students. Students then toured the school to visit some favorite teachers and meet new teaching staff.
“I am so excited to welcome the Class of 2027 to high school,” Meister said. “Students learned about transcripts and grade point averages and how that impacts their high school career. I am looking forward to meeting with them again in the spring to review their first semester of high school and help them stay on track.”
Elementary School Staff Build Teamwork
The MCH Outdoor Education program hosted 75 staff members from Alta Vista Elementary School in Waco at the MCH Boys Ranch. Teachers, administrators and support staff gathered for team-building and trust exercises. Tim Price, director of outdoor education and recreation, led the group throughout the day.
“It’s awesome to see a huge group of adults have fun and learn from and with one another, especially those who are leading so many children in our community,” Price said. “They are able to take what they learn from us and apply it in their classrooms with their students on a daily basis.”
For more information about the Outdoor Education program, contact Tim Price at (254) 867-6168 or TPrice@MCH.org.
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