Last Updated on March 19, 2013 8:30 pm
Area agencies working with Watauga County youth are invited to come together to share information and resources at a Youth Works Network event to be held at Watauga High School on Thursday, March 21st, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The event will begin in the high school auditorium with a presentation of key findings from the local administration of the 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This nationally normed survey was given in the spring of last year to students in grades 9-12 with funding from a grant provided by the Appalachian District Health Department. The results have helped the Watauga County Schools identify several areas of potential risk based on student responses to the survey questions. These risk areas include drug and alcohol use, bullying, and school violence.
The presentation of survey results will be provided by WCS Student Services Director Clarissa Schmal and will be followed by a question and answer session and a discussion of the issues by a panel including WCS Superintendent Dr. David Kafitz, School Board Member Delora Hodges, Watauga High School Principal Marshall Gasperson, School Social Worker Jennifer Wandler, Mountain Alliance Director Shelly Robinson, Perkinsville Baptist Church Pastor Seth Norris, two community representatives, and Ms. Schmal.
The purposes of the Youth Works Network are to share the results of the survey with area agencies that work with local youth, to discuss the initiatives and programs put in place in schools to lessen the identified risks, and to provide an opportunity for agencies to network and potentially collaborate with the school system and with each other.
Any agency working to support area youth is invited to bring easily shared information such as pamphlets, business cards, and website links. Tables will be available for the display and distribution of this information. After the sharing of information and a brief question and answer session, attendees will be free to network beginning at 6:00 p.m.
