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Supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as part of the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI), the OAYI Connect provides a platform for sharing important updates, stories, and resources related to addressing the impact of opioids and other substance use disorders. This newsletter will serve to raise awareness, with the express goal of informing and engaging those committed to reversing the pathway of America's substance misuse crisis while highlighting the work being done by communities across the country in support of empowering children, youth, young adults, and their families affected by addiction while fostering a sense of community among readers and inspiring action and support.
Meet one of the many grantees making a difference!
Maria Fernanda-Rodriguez is the project coordinator for the WestCare Texas’ Fiscal Year 2022 “WestCare Texas Embracing Project” located in San Antonio, Texas. She leads a team of six individuals, including two full-time mentor coordinators and four AmeriCorps public allies, who serve as support mentors. Together, they work with students from the county's Juvenile Justice Academy, many of whom have been expelled from school districts or are involved in the justice system. Recently, Fernanda and her team organized a basketball tournament for the students and introduced them to a summer program. While her site has been working with youth for years, this grant has allowed them to enhance the experience for the young people they serve.
As a passionate community advocate, Fernanda began her journey into community service with a desire to address systemic disparities. She recalled that witnessing stereotypes and limitations being placed on children from her neighborhood fueled her passion to make a difference. A pivotal moment occurred when a teacher suggested that she pursue nail artistry over college, highlighting the low expectations set for students like her. This experience reinforced her resolve to challenge such narratives and inspired her to share her story with youth, emphasizing their potential beyond imposed limitations.
Fernanda highlighted a significant project she led, a domestic violence awareness campaign ranging from Hispanic Mother's Day to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The campaign targeted areas with high rates of domestic violence and involved partnerships with diverse organizations. Through this initiative, Fernanda aimed to empower women from various backgrounds and highlight the power of community collaboration.
Fernanda emphasized her focus on empowerment, mentorship, and providing resources to advance the status of women in her community. Through initiatives such as the domestic violence campaign, she engaged with experts and supported women who had experienced trauma, reminding them of their worth. As a mentor, she provided guidance and a safe space for young women to envision a future beyond their circumstances.
Reflecting on some personal challenges she had faced, particularly as a woman, Fernanda mentioned overcoming gender and age stereotypes and navigating male-dominated spaces, as well as internal battles, such as imposter syndrome. For Fernanda, overcoming these challenges was a journey of faith and perseverance and included support from like-minded individuals.
Fernanda inspires other women to become more active and engaged members of their communities by leading by example and sharing her experiences. By demonstrating determination and collaboration, she aims to empower others. Through mentorship and creating safe spaces, she hopes to show that each person has unique talents and contributions, inspiring others to step forward, challenge norms, and make a lasting difference.
Thank you, Fernanda, for your dedication and passion for working with those in need. Your contributions are truly appreciated!
OAYI and OSU YAB members discuss strategies for leading comprehensive education initiatives and improving access to resources that prioritize prevention and intervention.
Board members share their perspectives on how adults in their schools and communities view them, identifying diverse, yet shared experiences.
In this first issue of the OAYI Connect, we are highlighting the efforts of the OAYI Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in its mission to leverage youth-led advocacy, education, and awareness to address the impact of the opioid epidemic and other emerging substance misuse on communities across the country.
Three members of the board’s founding cohort—Ana, Desiree, and Emily—recently traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the YAB representing Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) OAYI project. With a grant awarded in Fiscal Year 2022, OSU’s OAYI project team established the Tulsa YAB as an opportunity for the voices and valuable perspectives of youth with lived experiences to be integrated into the community’s solutions to solving the opioid epidemic.
Centered on collaborative connection and strategic problem-solving, this exchange included the review and analysis of Tulsa County’s overdose data, focused primarily on understanding the depth of the crisis and formulating effective responses for reducing deaths, and discussion about how the Tulsa YAB can pave the way for more comprehensive education and better access to resources that prioritize prevention, intervention, and harm reduction. It also emphasized the urgent need for better integration of mental and behavioral health treatment within school and justice settings. Recognizing the intersectionality of substance use, the YABs advocate for a holistic approach that addresses underlying issues and provides support systems for both at-risk and already-involved youth.
As a result of this robust discussion, board members worked to collectively develop a Youth Advisory Board Community Action Plan (YABCAP), a planning tool that outlines actionable steps toward implementing a community improvement or change informed by the exchange of information. Central to the dialogue and completion of the YABCAP was the importance of amplifying the youth voice in community responses to the opioid crisis. Both YABs assert that young people should not only be heard but actively involved in the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at combating substance misuse. By ensuring that youth are partners in the decision-making processes, the community can create more relevant and impactful solutions.
The OSU YAB exchange served as a testament to the power of collaboration and youth engagement in tackling complex societal challenges such as the opioid epidemic. As the Tulsa YAB navigates the direct impact the crisis has had on its community, the OAYI YAB will provide continued support and expertise to strengthen its efforts in shaping a healthier and more resilient community.
Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) and those involved in the justice system, particularly within child welfare and family court systems, are at a heightened risk of experiencing trauma. To address this issue, numerous programs and agencies have adopted trauma-informed practices. However, the retraumatizing potential of traditional drug testing procedures has received limited attention. OAYI subject-matter expert Dr. Phillip Breitenbucher, in collaboration with West Huddleston and Dr. Jerri Middleton, authored an article titled "Implementing Trauma-Informed Drug Testing Protocols in Child
Welfare and Family Court Programs,” showing that by combining trauma-informed principles with best practices in drug testing, a more compassionate and supportive
environment can be created within child
welfare and family court systems, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for individuals and families affected by SUDs. We invite you to read the full article here to gain insights into this critical topic:
Implementing Trauma-Informed Drug Testing Protocols in Child Welfare and Family Court
Effective stress management is a crucial element of a balanced lifestyle, with benefits that extend to both mental and physical health, while also reducing the likelihood of exacerbating existing health conditions. OAYI SME and licensed social worker Tanika McCullough provided some self-care tips for you to consider:
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
Taking time each day to be present and mindful can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
ENGAGE IN REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Being active by doing things like walking, dancing, or yoga can help reduce stress and improve mood.
SET YOUR BOUNDARIES AND STICK TO THEM
Learning to say “no” to requests that may cause stress or overwhelm you is an important part of self-care.
PRACTICE MINDFUL MOMENTS
Try deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to help relax your body and mind.
GET ADEQUATE SLEEP
If possible, aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body and mind recharge.
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
Spending time with friends and family or joining a support group to build connections are great ways to help reduce the feelings of isolation.
TAKE BREAKS FROM SCREENS
AND TECHNOLOGY
Taking time away from electronic screens can help reduce eye strain and mental fatigue. Be in tune with how social media posts make you feel, and take a break if it begins to feel overwhelming.
FUEL YOUR BODY
A diet consisting of nutritious foods provides energy and supports overall health.
Explore the resources below to learn more:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor who can provide support and resources via text message.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for 24/7 treatment referral and information services for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
NAMI HelpLine: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org for information, referrals, and support for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.
Psychology Today Therapist Finder: Use this online directory to find and contact mental health professionals in your area. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
Local Mental Health Services: Contact your local mental health department or community health center for information on local resources and services.
Online Therapy Platforms: Platforms such as BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Amwell offer online therapy and counseling services for convenient and accessible support.
Did you know that OAYI has a YouTube page that houses our podcast series? Answering the Call is a nine-segment podcast series that seeks to examine the roles and perspectives of first responders, marginalized communities, legal systems, and the role of OJJDP in this crisis. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/@opioidaffectedyouthinitiat8408
Don’t forget: If you need training and technical assistance, we are here to here to support you! Learn more: https://www.opioidaffectedyouth.org/
This publication is being supported by Grant Number 15PJDP-21-GK-03630-JJO, awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.
