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 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
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PSN Partner E-News

September 8, 2015



Dear PSN Partners,

I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating summer.  As the new school year begins, it is a great opportunity to welcome changes and growth opportunities.  Indeed, it is an exciting time for the district as we embrace a reorganization that better supports our school communities and welcome students, staff and families back for the 2015-16 school year. 

It is also an exciting time for Project Safety Net (PSN) as we move towards a collective impact model and the hiring a new executive director.  We look forward to the leadership that a new PSN director will bring, but in the meantime there is still work to be done by all of us around the table. 

Some of our top goals are to further support youth voice, help erase the social stigma of accessing mental health services and provide more effective programs to improve youth well-being in Palo Alto. It’s our hope to hear from all of you at our next PSN community collaborative meeting in September about some of your goals and programs and how “we” as a collaborative can support one another.

Since it is back-to-school for Palo Alto’s youth, I would like to share some of the positive changes PAUSD has made to help provide more mental health support to students and their families.  This includes new the hiring of a new Student Services Director and two Mental Health Specialists, an expanded and updated resource list for students and families, new parent education classes in Mandarin and expanded mental health services at the elementary level.

These are just a few of the highlights from PAUSD. PAUSD’s efforts are just one aspect of improving youth well-being in Palo Alto. Indeed, it is because of our collective, integrated efforts as a community collaborative that we make a difference in the lives of young people every day. 
 
Best regards,
 
Brenda Carrillo, PSN Co-lead

 
In this Issue
PSN Community Collaborative Mtg.
RSVP  for our next meeting on Thursday, 9/24/2014, 4-6 p.m. at Lucie Stern Cmmty. Ctr., Community Rm.
Youth Voice Event
'Unmasked' Movie
By DocX Films

The movie premiere on Saturday, Sept. 12th is Sold Out!  Sign-up to be added to the wait list.
Palo Alto Youth Voice 
 
Preview the 'Unmasked' Movie Developed by Gunn and Paly Students that Explores Teen Mental Health in Palo Alto
"Like" their Facebook page.
UNMASKED (2015) - Official Trailer #2
During summer break, 13 Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School students filmed a documentary about teen mental health in Palo Alto serving as a way to spark conversation between youth and adults, break the stigma around mental health and inspire hope throughout the community. 

Gunn and Paly Alumni Host Dialogues on Teen Mental Health and "Success and Wellness: Life After PAUSD"
"Like" the Paly and Gunn Alumni Facebook page to learn about upcoming dialogues.
Middle Left: Alumni Organizers Lydia Huang and Christina Chen 
 
This past summer, Gunn and Paly alumni hosted two community dialogues.  The first one organized and led by Christina Chen and Jess Brooks conducted a root cause analysis and small group discussions on teen mental health in Palo Alto. Read Jess Brooks reflection of the day. The follow-up event organized and led by alumni Lydia Huang and Christina Chen focused on "Success and Wellness: Life After PAUSD."  At the event, Gunn and Paly alumni panel talked about their perspectives of "success" after graduation and leaving Palo Alto, and sharing their insights about creating a better mental health climate for current students such as giving students "space" and "time."  After the alumni panel, community participants from all ages participated in group discussions on their definition of success in Palo Alto and reported out three things they learned from each other.  Here's a summary:
  • There is more than mental health that leads to suicide
  • How the Palo Alto culture affects future generations
  • Be comfortable with what you do
  • You are not defined by your career
  • Establish a safe, judgement-free zone
  • Instead of teaching kids they are valued by their accomplishments; teach them to be good friends
  • Instill values that are important to their family and let them know that society isn't always right
  • Have support groups for parents
  • A lot of things change in society
  • Importance of openness and dialogues
  • More definitions of success because of all the different cultures
  • Why does Palo Alto have this definition of success? What determines success?
  • Importance of faring failure
  • Alternate routes to happiness
  • Instead of success, talk about well-being and how to respond to failures
  • A lot of people talk about success in a timeline
  • How to have wholesome change in high school
  • Having someone relate to your perspective

Upcoming Youth Hackathon on Mental Health Apps
PSN members Lydia Huang, Dr. Shashank Joshi and Dr. Steve Adelsheim are collaborating together to produce a hackathon for Palo Alto youth and Stanford undergraduates to create computer apps focused on mental health.  The team is looking for help from partners for food donations, volunteers, marketing, and short and long-term sponsorships.  The goal is to help the hackers continue their work to innovate their mental health app. For more information, please contact Lydia Huang at Lhuang17@gmail.com . Stay tuned for more details.
Developmental Assets Palo Alto
 
#CaringNeighborsTeam
PAUSD Board Member and PSN Partner Terry Godfrey guided 16 local teen interns this summer to encourage neighborhoods to build community, get to know one another, and strengthen the fabric of our city. Each teen received a stipend for their participation. Listed to the right are interns Eli Gwin-Kerr and Jocelyn Khosla with neighbors from Downtown North celebrating the re-opening of Scott Park.
Click here to see more photos of the #CaringNeighbors community events held this summer throughout Palo Alto.
PSN Partners Section
 

In Honor of Former PSN Partner Ray Bacchetti


Ray Bacchetti, beloved Palo Alto resident and former PSN Leadership team member, was honored with a chalk portrait at this year's Italian Street Painting Expo that benefits our partner Youth Community Service (YCS).
Partner Opportunities
Nonprofit Storytelling Event Featuring Andy Goodman
Sponsored by the City of Palo Alto
October 16, 2015, 9am -1:00pm, Mitchell Park Community Center
Spaces are limited and priority is given to Palo Alto based/serving nonprofits
To RSVP, please email Mary at 
mary.constantino@cityofpaloalto.org


Andy Goodman is well known for his work with nonprofits all over the nation, empowering them to tell the story of their passion, dedication and service in effective ways.  If your nonprofit needs a good elevator pitch or if your staff needs a great story to capture the press’s attention, this is the workshop for you!
 
In this workshop, “Change the Story, Change the World,” Andy Goodman, who is the ultimate storyteller himself, will demonstrate in a dynamic and engaging way, why storytelling remains the single most powerful communication tool you possess.  He will give you specific storytelling tools to use in your organization to advance your mission. To find out more about Andy Goodman’s work, please go to his website at http://www.thegoodmancenter.com/ and be sure to check out his videos! 

Third Annual PAUSD Student Services Fair
Thursday, October 8, 2015, 6-8:00pm
Jordan Middle School, 750 N. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 

Connect with the local parent community to better understand what your organization offers to them and their children in Palo Alto. Contact Soula Nikolakopoulos if your organization is interested in participating.

Wanted Partner Brochures and Flyers for Upcoming Community Events 
PSN will have an information table at two upcoming community events: PAUSD Student Services Fair and the Palo Alto Community Health Fair. These are great opportunities to promote your services and upcoming events. If you have any giveaways, you can send those as well. Please send materials ASAP to: Tanya Schornack, Project Safety Net, 4000 Middlefield Rd, Bldg. T2, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

 
PSN Partners Out 'n' About
PAUSD District Nurse Linda Lenior and Suicide Prevention Advocates Vic and Mary Ojakian recently presented at the NAMI State Conference. Vic presented the steps necessary to get a suicide prevention policy in place. Mary and Linda presented the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Schools that they wrote.
 
PSN and Youth Mental Health News in Palo Alto

Storify.com (Palo Alto Weekly, On-going page that captures the numerous voices, opinions and news coverage on teen well-being.)

Save the 2,008 proposal for reform to come before school board   (Palo Alto Weekly, September 7, 2015)

Palo Alto: Caltrain begins improvements aimed at preventing suicides (San Jose Mercury, September 2, 2015)

Palo Alto students tackle teen suicide and mental health in documentary 'Unmasked' (San Jose Mercury News, August, 28, 2015))

Community Notebook: Teachers take on strategic roles in new school year (Palo Alto Weekly, August 14, 2015)

Palo Alto students film mental health documentary (Palo Alto Weekly, August 13, 2015)

Palo Alto: Teen suicide prevention effort lauded (San Jose Mercury, July 28, 2015)

Community meeting held on planned work along Caltrain tracks to prevent future deaths (KRON 4, July 27, 2015)

In new book, Challenge Success offers roadmap on school reform (Palo Alto Weekly, July 17, 2015)

Community notebook: Palo alto alums to speak on health and wellness (Palo Alto Weekly, July 16, 2015)

Palo Alto prepares to boost fencing, add sensors on rail tracks (Palo Alto Weekly, July 16, 2015)

Back to the Top

Community & Youth Events 

For event submissions, please send it to Tanya Schornack
Community Education & Events
The Parenting Project: Proven Method for Raising and Protecting Teens 
Sponsored by Palo Alto Police Dept.
September 3-November 19, 2015, Thursdays, 6-9 pm
Cubberley Community Ctr., Greendale Campus, 4000 Middlefield Rd, Rm. T2, Palo Alto
Join other parents to improve your teen’s social and academic engagement, discipline, and any aspect of your relationship.

Dads of Daughters  The Joys and Challenges of Raising Teen Girls
Sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
September 17, 2015, 7-9:00pm
Menlo Corporate Center, 4100 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park
Review the developmental changes for girls during puberty and adolescence. Understand the normal challenges fathers encounter raising adolescent daughters. Learn how to maintain and enhance the relationship with your daughter throughout her adolescence.

County Wide Keeping Youth Safe Coalition Meeting
Sponsored by Voices United

September 17, 2015,3-5:00 pm, Free, No registration required.
Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose
Collaborate with other people on helping resolve drugs and alcohol issues in your area. If you have any questions or would like send meeting agenda items, please contact gabrielle.antolovich@voiceunited.net.
 
Out of the Darkness Walk (San Jose)
September 20, 2015, 9am – 1pm
Arena Green West, N Autumn St, San Jose
When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow AFSP to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.  Register here as a walker, virtual walker or volunteer.

Sparking Creativity:  Imagining Tomorrow’s Schools
Sponsored by Challenge Success at Stanford University
September 25, 2015, 7pm- 9pm
Memorial Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford University
Open to the Public  |  Adults: $10   Students: Free
Join an interactive discussion on fostering creativity in schools and at home: How do we encourage creativity in our kids and develop a generation of innovators and problem solvers? How can educators and parents spark creativity in daily activities? What is the connection between creativity and authentic success?
 
Palo Alto Community Health Fair
Co-sponsored by the City of Palo Alto, YMCA and Stanford Children’s Hospital
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 10am – 3pm
Mitchell Park Community Center
3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

To kick-off the Mayor's Healthy City, Healthy Communities initiative, this event will showcase all of the great resources Palo Alto has available to the community to support health and well-being. Topics will include physical and mental health, creative expression, volunteerism, access to nature/outdoors, healthy environment and more. Questions about the event? Contact Joshua Selo at 650-842-7152 or joshua.selo@ymcasv.org
 
Mothers of Sons: The Joys and Challenges of Guiding Your Son Through Adolescence
Sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
October 2, 2015, 7-8:30pm
Friedenrich Auditorium, 725 Welch Rd., Palo Alto
Discuss adolescent males during puberty. Understand the normal challenges between mothers and their preteen and adolescent sons. Gain ideas for how to understand and strengthen the relationship between mothers and their preteen and adolescent sons.

Kara Walk ‘n’ Run to Remember
October 10, 2015, 9am
Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
This special event is a unique and wonderful opportunity for individuals and community organizations and businesses to walk in memory of a loved one, to walk to support friends, family or someone grieving the loss of a loved one, and to secondarily help Kara sustain its crucial services for the greater Bay Area. 

YCS Make a Difference Day!
October 24, 2015, Palo Alto
Save the date for Youth Community Service (YCS) Make a Difference Day!  Millions of volunteers across the nation will united with a common mission - to engage in meaningful service that benefits the lives of others.  To learn more, please visit www.youthcommunityservice.org

Free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training
Sponsored by PSN and the City of Palo Alto
October 27, 2015, 4-6pm, Fireside Room Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Project Safety Net (PSN) and the City of Palo Alto are hosting a free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training which certifies participants with hands-on skills in 90 minutes. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, an emergency mental health intervention for suicidal persons. The training’s certification lasts three years and is similar to CPR in that it provides the basic tools to save someone’s life. You do not need to be a doctor or a mental health professional to make a difference. Register here.

Lucile Packard Children Hospital’s Preteens and Teen Video Library
Here is just a sampling of free online community health lectures offered by LPCH experts:
Youth Opportunities & Education
Students with a Gateway (SWAG)
Sponsored by Youth Community Service
Wednesdays, 3-4:30pm, Sept. 2 - Dec. 2, 2015
Mitchell Park Community Center, Palo Alto

SWAG is an afterschool leadership program for middle school students hosted by Youth Community Service (YCS) and the City of Palo Alto Recreation Department.  Students will explore topics regarding the environment, civic engagement, health, hunger and homelessness.  SWAG will include speakers, service trips, leadership training and team building.

Reach & Rise Mentoring Program
Sponsored by the YMCA
For Youth Ages 6-17

Reach & Rise™ is a national one-to-one mentoring program determined to move youth from risk to resiliency. The program helps build a better future for youth by matching them with an adult mentor for one year. Free of cost to families, trained mentors work to understand cultural and social development, mental health issues, risk factors, and offer ways to communicate and relate to youth. Contact Program Director Mike Anderson

Free Drop-in Teen Yoga (On-going)
Sponsored by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Tuesdays, 4-5pm

67 Encinal Avenue, Palo Alto
This fun, interactive curriculum incorporates physical exercise, breath work and activities that help to energize, manage stress and connect better with themselves and their peers. No registration required.

Outlet:  Free Drop-in for LGBTQQ Youth (Spanish and English) (On-going)
Sponsored by Adolescent Counseling Services
590 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94041 (Mondays, 6-8pm, English; 2nd & 4th Fridays, 6-9pm, Spanish)
These are peer support groups where youth have a chance to share and listen to personal stories in a safe and welcoming space. LGBTQQ youth ages 10-18 are welcome.
 
The QT Cafe (On-going)
Sponsored by The LGBTQ Youth Space
375 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto
A safe and open drop-in space for LGBTQQ+ & ally folks between the ages of 13-25. Come get connected to community resources, free wi-fi, volunteer opportunities, and other folks in the community. For more information, please contact Helen at: hchen@fcservices.org or 408-841-4105.

C.A.L.M. for Middle School and High School Students (Palo Alto)
Sponsored by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation
September 12, 2015: High School 1:30-3pm; Middle School 3:30-5pm
67 Encinal Avenue, Palo Alto
“Cultivating Awareness to Live Mindfully” (C.A.L.M.) is a 3-session interactive mindfulness class introducing teenagers to the practical tools and techniques that bring awareness, calm and clarity to their lives and how a “mindfulness practice” works to reduce unnecessary stress, worry and anxiety.
 
A Heart to Heart Seminar: For Boys Only
Sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Oct 6 and 13, 2015 (Two sessions), 6:30-8:30pm
725 Welch Rd, Palo Alto
“For Boys Only” is for boys, 10-12 years of age, and their dads or other adult male resource person. Each class includes discussions on body changes to expect during puberty, myths vs. facts, what boys should know about girls, sexuality and sexual reproduction.

A Heart to Heart Seminar: For Girls Only
Sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Oct 9 and 16, 2015 (Two sessions), 6:30-8:30pm
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, 725 Welch Rd, Palo Alto
“For Girls Only” is for girls, 10-12 years of age, and their moms or other adult female resource person. Each class includes discussions on the physical changes of puberty and menstruation, what girls should know about boys, social issues, and sexuality.
 
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