- Thank you so much, everybody, for sticking around here at the Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit.
- We are going to kick things off here with our lunch spotlights. We're going to start with Lisa Greathouse
- from IU Health and Monroe County Health Department. So let's welcome Lisa Greathouse to the stage. Hello.
- As mentioned, my name is Lisa Greathouse. I serve as the manager of coordinated school.
- School Health with IU Health Bloomington and the School Health Liaison with the Monroe County Health
- Department. I bring you this presentation today on behalf of a collaborative team. My fellow partners
- were not able to be here today, but Annie Aiken and Adi Ekwawa. So they are vital to making this work
- happen. So our presentation or the topic, if you will, connecting Monroe County third graders to farms,
- food and empowerment.
- What is school to farm? So many of you maybe have heard the topic of farm to school, which
- is the three-pronged approach to address local procurement, school gardens, and why am I forgetting
- the third? Ag and nutrition education, there we go. So when we have been working with schools over the
- years to make sure that students have access to programming and information around nutrition, we wanted
- to kind of flip the script.
- Working kind of against some of the barriers we have for getting into the classroom whether it be time
- standards alignment testing or just capacity within the school day. We wanted to get the students out
- in the community to share the local resources they have.
- and do it in a way that really supported place based education. So in the pandemic, Annie was really,
- really vital in connecting with schools and building off a partnership that kind of Unionville had started
- to develop with Silver Mesa Farms here locally and we're like, that'd be really, really cool if we could
- expand it beyond the one school. So,
- We were able to partner with MCCSC. And because of Annie's position at the time with Purdue Extension,
- we focused on Title I schools. So that was a little bit due to the requirement of the scope of work
- that she was able to work with. So obtained funding to work with the seven Title I schools in MCCSC
- and connect with our local farms. Oh, I didn't want to show all the sight things. Oh well.
- wanted to make sure that the students had a meaningful experience. And so keeping the size of the students
- coming to the farm, we capped it at 50, and not to overwhelm just the farm itself and the wear and tear
- as well. We were able to utilize community partners in a way that helped make sure that no one agency
- felt overburdened with the task of creating these school field trips. And we've worked with multiple
- farms throughout the years, but each year had partnered with four at a time.
- And I'm not sure why but it's not showing all the like tidbits but the cost of the field trips themselves
- the reason we need funding to do it is to make sure that students got to the farm so covering
- the transportation and not relying on the teacher or the school to come up with that funding. We needed
- to make sure that there is hand washing restrooms on site making sure that the students went home with
- something from the farm so we make sure that we procured that local produce as well as paying the farmer
- or the grower
- for their time, right? When we engage with them, it's usually September, October, which is a peak harvest
- season. So us taking away from their time to then harvest, we wanted to make sure we're putting our
- money where our mouth is and investing in our local growers. The reason we chose third grade is at the
- time, that grade level did not have a dedicated field trip. So if you're familiar with MCCSE schools,
- you may have heard of Bradford Woods,
- There's a lot of outdoor education that already takes place. And on top of them not having a dedicated
- field trip, they were the grade that had the most standardized testing happening at the time. So we
- wanted to give them an opportunity to get out again in the community to see what resources they were.
- We wanted to align with standards that were already expected to be met for the third grade teachers.
- So it didn't feel like an extra thing, right? It's aligning with what they're already expected to do
- and supporting their learning in a way that then helps when it comes to those standardized tests as
- well. So you can see the topics here that we tried to align with as we created stations at the farms
- for the students to rotate through as well. Each farm
- covered the same topics, whether it's nutrition education, soil, and microbes. But then depending on
- the farm, they had access to see different animals, or produce, or harvest, or learn how a farm stopped
- to work, really wanting to get kids to know where their food came from, how do you make sure that the
- environment that our food grows in is one that's healthy and enriching, and again, supporting our local
- growers. We talked about that kind of. We also give the teachers opportunity
- get additional funds to do a follow-up activity to make sure it's not a one and done educational experience,
- that they can supplement what they've learned at the farm and continue it beyond that one day. So what's
- next? We have continued funding from a variety of sources, always looking for more partners,
- more collaborative approaches to make sure that we can make sure that nutrition and ag education takes
- place for these students and continue to invest in our future growers and producers in our community.
- And there's our contact information if you'd like it. Thank you so much, Lisa. Let's now welcome Kate
- Seder from Wonder Lab to share about their services. Hello, everyone. My name is Kate Seder, and I'm
- representing Wonder Lab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology.
- Wonder Lab is a family-focused museum whose interactive exhibits and programs stimulate curiosity, encourage
- discovery, and inspire lifelong learning. The museum provides weekly STEM programs, demonstrations for
- school groups, and science outreach to offsite locations. We currently serve over 70,000 individuals
- each year. Science is for everyone. This has been a core tenet of Wonder Lab since its founding in 1995.
- We strive for fair and equitable access to science education for all. To do this, Wonder Lab must embody
- our value of lifelong learning by continuously exploring and implementing improvements to the many facets
- of accessibility. Cost is the main barrier to visiting the museum. In order to reduce this barrier,
- Wonder Lab participates in the Access Pass program.
- where families who receive state assistance qualify for reduced admission to over 20 cultural institutions
- throughout the state of Indiana. The program was first piloted in 2014, and by the end of this year,
- it will have made possible over 40,000 visits to Wonder Lab. While the Access Pass is a powerful impact,
- recent events have made us all too aware that families in need do not always receive government assistance.
- In fact, it was a discussion about the benefits cliff
- MC3 two years ago that prompted the creation of our Super Sundays initiative. One designated day each
- month when admission is reduced for everyone. No questions asked. Wonderlab also offers a free membership
- for first time parents until their child turns 18 months old. Last year we had more than 340 new parents
- enroll in the program. Setting aside cost, we must look at accessibility and inclusion needs in the
- museum itself.
- At the height of the pandemic, some visitor groups were able to come to Wonder Lab for the first time
- because of masking requirements. Learning this, Wonder Lab has continued to provide monthly mask required
- hours to increase accessibility for our community members who are immunocompromised. Now, a space full
- of children and families learning through hands-on play is lively to say the least and can be overwhelming
- from a sensory standpoint.
- For our neurodivergent visitors, we offer an online social story, noise-canceling headphones, and sensory
- backpacks with a variety of regulatory tools. But it is not enough to focus on visitors. We have to
- prioritize the needs of our staff and volunteers. Like all organizations, WonderLab is nothing without
- the people behind it. We work on accessibility not just reactively, but preemptively. This includes
- tailoring volunteer tasks to an individual's capabilities,
- cutting unnecessary requirements from job descriptions, and providing staff with no-cost telemedicine
- and virtual mental health services through IYI's Youth Worker Wellbeing Project. Science tells us that
- basic needs must be met to allow for engagement with new learning. To further our impact on STEM education,
- we must support efforts to improve conditions in our community as a whole.
- Wonder Lab provides free field trips for qualifying schools and organizations, as well as free individual
- museum visits for clients and staff from Family Solutions, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Stone Belt, and
- many other social services organizations. This year, 18% of all group visits to Wonder Lab have been
- provided for free.
- Demand for these critical programs is only increasing, and Wonder Lab is always seeking further support
- to making these opportunities possible. In a time when science is under attack, it is more pressing
- than ever to make science education accessible, engaging, and relevant to all members of our community.
- I would like to end my time today by inviting all of you, those familiar with the museum, but especially
- those who have never been, to visit us.
- talk with us and see how we can do more together. Today until close, Wonder Lab is offering free admission
- to all MC3 attendees. Simply show your name tag to our front desk. We are two blocks north on the B
- line trail, and we close at six. I hope to see you there. Thank you. Thank you so much, Kate. I don't
- know if I can talk that.
- Now let's welcome Christine Herring from People and Animal Learning Services or PALS to the stage to
- share a little bit about their services. So welcome, Christine. Thank you very much. My name is Christine
- Herring. I'm the executive director for People and Animal Learning Services.
- And today I would like to talk a bit about how we've been serving our youth and families in this community.
- For 25 years, PALS has been a part of Monroe County's story. We are a professional association of therapeutic
- horsemanship international member center. Our mission is simple yet powerful, to empower people through
- the healing power of the human horse connection.
- Our theme today, a decade of growth, empowering youth, strengthening our village, captures exactly what
- PALS is all about. Over the past 10 years, we've grown not only in programs and partnerships, but in
- our commitment to inclusion and access. We've worked to ensure that every young person and family, no
- matter what their background or challenge, can find a place of belonging at PALS.
- At its core, our work is about connection, creating space where young people can feel safe, seen, and
- supported. One of the best examples of our programming is the equipped program, which helps youth build
- emotional regulation, communication, confidence, and leadership skills that can truly change a life.
- And unlike in a classroom or a counseling office,
- These lessons happen alongside a 1,200 pound partner who gives honest and immediate feedback. Horses
- don't care about appearances or mistakes. They respond to energy and intention. And when a young person
- learns to calm themselves, to calm a horse, you can see something shift inside them. In that moment,
- they realize, I have control. I can lead, and I matter.
- Through our partnership with Monroe County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative we see
- this transformation every day. Instead of punishment these young people are offered opportunity and
- empowering hands on experience rooted in trust and connection. We've watched youth who arrive quiet
- or sometimes even angry begin to smile communicate and take pride in themselves. Parents tell us they
- see changes at home
- more confidence, more responsibility, and more hope. These aren't just stories. Our evaluation data
- show measurable growth in self-esteem, emotional control, and social connection. But the true impact
- is felt in those quiet, powerful moments when a young person reaches out to a horse and realizes that
- they can make a difference. That's what growth looks like, and that's what community feels like.
- As we rebuild from the tornado and prepare to open our new Center of Wellness and Learning this spring,
- we're stepping into a new era of impact, one where even more youth and families find healing, purpose,
- and connection. Because when young people are empowered, they feel capable, valued, and hopeful. On
- behalf of the youth we serve, the families,
- who find healing and the horses who make this all possible. Thank you for believing in this work and
- for helping us grow together into a stronger, kinder, more connected community. At Powell's, growth
- begins with connection. I would like to add that we have free programming available for youth and families.
- And if you represent a youth or family nonprofit, please reach out for more information. I'd be glad
- to share that with you. Thank you very much.
- Thank you so much, Christine. Now let's welcome Julian Calvert and Leah Franklin from Youth Services
- Bureau of Monroe County. Hello, my name is Julia and this is Leah. Thanks for introducing us, Melody.
- We're two counselors at Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County and I just want to take a couple minutes
- to introduce you guys to some of our programs.
- So first of all, we have our Empowered Parenting Workshop, also called EPW. It's a free eight-week program
- that's kind of just designed to improve the relationship between parents and guardians, as well as provide
- them with skills in the supporter space, just with other parents to connect with each other.
- We do interactive activities as well as discussions to kind of teach tangible skills and just give them
- a place to kind of support their own emotions while learning how to support their kids.
- We also have our truancy termination partnership program, which works with the schools MCCSE as well
- as RBB. It's a free voluntary court diversion program targeted towards school refusal behavior. We work
- with students, families, and the schools to create a case plan and goals for their time in the program.
- These are anything from academic tutoring, case management, all the way to counseling and their team
- peer support group. And referrals to this program do have to come from youth schools, but we're happy
- to work with you guys and communicate with the schools on your behalf.
- We also have a seeking safety program. Seeking safety is an evidence-based counseling model that was
- originally designed for individuals with a history of trauma or substance use. And here at YSB, we have
- adopted this to focus primarily on adolescent substance use. So this program is a free voluntary treatment
- group for individuals who are 14 to 17 years old.
- These sessions are geared toward improving overall functioning through developing coping skills and
- discussing the role of substance use in these adolescents' lives. We use a strengths-based trauma-informed
- lens with interventions based in harm reduction, DBT skills, and motivational interviewing. We encourage
- you to connect any teens struggling with substance use to our program. You can reach out to
- us for information on how to make a referral, or you can connect their families with us.
- And I'd also like to discuss our safe place program. YSB operates safe place for Monroe, Owen, Brown
- and Green counties. As you drive around town today, you may notice or you may have already noticed before
- bright yellow safe place signs. These identify businesses and organizations in our communities that
- have volunteered to be a part of our safe place network. These are safe places for runaway and at risk
- youth that need to seek help.
- So they will speak with trained volunteers that will assess and diffuse crisis situations. They may
- also then be transported to YSB for support with their immediate needs and working toward a solution
- for them and their families. Youth can text the word safe in their current location to the number 44357
- to find the nearest safe place to them. Thank you so much for your time. And if you have any questions
- about how to connect with any of these programs, please feel free to reach out to us.
- Thank you. Thank you so much. And I do also want to point out that Jade, our photographer for the day,
- is our safe place coordinator. And we also have a table in the Duke East Room. So if you do want more
- information, check that out or ask Jade for some more questions. OK. Our next folks to speak are our
- executive team from the Monroe County Youth Council to share about their programs. So team.
- everyone. My name is Haley Patel and we are part of the Monroe County Youth Council executive team which
- stands for MCYC. I'm Haley and I'm a senior at Edgewood High School and this year I'm the president.
- I've been a part of MCYC for four years now and I'm excited to see how much more we can even grow. And
- this year I get to be the person to help us take the initiative to make our goals be tangible things
- that we see in our community.
- Noelia Plaza. I'm a junior at Bloomington High School South and I'm the vice president for MCYC this
- year. I'm excited to be part of the MCYC because I get to work with other creative and ambitious members
- to create a meaningful change in our community. Hi everyone. My name is Alice Zhang and I'm a sophomore
- at South and I'm the secretary and treasurer for MCYC. I'm super excited to be part of this team to
- make an impact in our community.
- If you don't know what MCYC is, we're short for Mineral County Youth Council, and we're an organization
- that provides high school students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, engage in
- community service, and amplify youth voices through local government and community initiatives. Global
- Youth Service Day is the culmination of MCYC's sub-communities project throughout the year, occurring
- in April. In the past, we have done projects such as gardening with Hooger Hills
- food bank, a free sister's garden, a creek cleanup, and a Know Your Rights workshop. This year, our
- main subcommittee's focuses will be on education, public policy and advocacy, and community engagement,
- as well as mental health and environment.
- As you can see, MCYC and its subcommittees are all about the youth taking the power in their hands to
- make meaningful impact in our community. And with this, we can only do it with community partners and
- local organizations that we partner up with. And so if you're a local organization or want to partner
- up with us, you can contact our adult allies. So that's Lean. And hopefully, we can contact with you
- guys and make something come true.
- Thank you so much to all of our spotlight guests for today. Thank you again also to Youth Services Bureau
- of Monroe County and Juvenile Alternatives Initiative for your ongoing financial support along with
- our other sponsors that I should also thank are Bloomington Health Foundation, Family Solutions, Anthem,
- City of Bloomington, Office of the Mayor, Firefly Children and Family Alliance, O'Connell Case, LCSW,
- LLC, Sylvan Learning, and Hopscotch Coffee.
- Like I said, the SafePlace resources, we have other resources. Another reminder just to check out the
- Data Walk in Duke East. And a quick reminder to make sure that you filled out all of your session
- evaluations. If you didn't do that already this morning or you have some other thoughts to jot down,
- the QR code that's on your table tent will take you to any of the breakout session evaluation forms.
- Let's see, there's a paper copy for your full session eval form if you have to leave before the end
- of the day.
- And our next sessions are going to start at 1.30. So I think we've got about 20 more minutes so that
- you can finish up your lunch, mingle, check out the data walk, and anything else. So thank you so much,
- and see you in the next session.