PROGRAMS Every youth in Transitional Living focuses on education through local high schools, GED programs, vocational and trade schools, and local universities.   The residential programs help create independence for at-risk youth. The programs serve youth ages 16-21 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or minor behavioral problems.  The residential programs nurture potential through participation in education, vocational and life skills training.  The objective of all Monroe Harding programming is to prepare youth to become independent and productive citizens of our community.    TRANSITIONAL LIVING Right now, more than 30 young people, ages 16–21, live in on-campus “cottages” at Monroe Harding. They’re provided with an education, vocational training, life skills, and—most importantly—the support and guidance of a caring adult. COOPERATIVE LIVING   Monroe Harding also provides an on-campus dormitory for young people who are ready for a higher level of autonomy as they continue their education and job training in a highly individualized program. INDEPENDENT LIVING   This is the final stage of care Monroe Harding provides. Young people who complete our other programs are provided with off-campus homes, along with guidance and regularly scheduled appointments Safety Net Services   This program is specifically designed to keep families together.  Young people in foster care are reunited with their families, if at all possible, or are provided with the education and job skills required to become productively independent.  Caseworkers spend time in the homes to prevent placement in state custody and classes are taught in the community to provide education for those families at-risk. PROJECT S.H.A.R.E. (Supporting Healthy Attitudes Regarding Education) One on One Mentoring -Elementary students who are at-risk and displaying negative behaviors are taught the skills to engage appropriately and succeed in the classroom.  Positive adult role models spend at least one hour per week individually working with students during the school day.   English as a Second Language Group Mentoring - Children in Metro ESL classrooms with limited to no English speaking skills receive assistance from Spanish speaking volunteers to assist with the translation of assignments and other educational instruction.   Safe at Last Education - Children utilize Safe At Last skills to recognize unsafe situations such as abuse and inappropriate sexual behaviors.  RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Center) works with teachers & guidance counselors to implement the program into the schools through volunteers. The volunteers teach children how to differentiate between good and bad touches, identify safe people, along with assertiveness and problem solving if they are in an unsafe situation.   Bullying Prevention - Students in metro schools are taught the school-wide anti-bullying philosophy.  Mentors help encourage students to recognize bullying, respond to it and avoid becoming a bully.   After School Mentoring -Elementary students participating in the metro schools after-school programs receive homework  help and positive role modeling by non-traditional volunteers such as high school students and those volunteering as groups.   Project S.H.A.R.E. (Supporting Healthy Attitudes Regarding Education) promotes the importance of education for at-risk elementary aged children in area public schools. At a young age, the children are encouraged to attend school, achieve academically and socially and as a result, reengaging in school.   Youth Connections - Connecting Youth to their Community Young adults can receive assistance with: ·        Housing – Information available about low rent apartments, section 8 housing, HUD housing, renter’s insurance, furniture assistance, and utilities.  ·       Employment – Assistance with resume writing, job coaching, employment training (including other offsite locations such as Nashville Career Advancement Center), job postings, and informational employment websites. ·        Well Being (Physical, Mental, & Social) – Information available about affordable health insurance, community health clinics, health information, alcohol and drug services, host various support groups and focus groups.  Also provide information about spiritual enhancement and volunteer opportunities. ·       Education – tutors, remedial education prep, GED and high school options, ACT/SAT information, post-secondary options including financing through Pell Grants, SEOG, TSAC, low income loans and Chaffee Funding (Education & Training Vouchers). ·        Life Skills Classes –  include, but are not limited to financial management, cooking classes, transportation assistance, driver’s education, social awareness, mentoring, etc. ·        Opportunity Passport™ – an asset-building tool for foster youth and alumni ·        Components of Opportunity Passport™ - Individual Development Accounts (IDA) allows youth to have saving account monies matched by the Jim Casey Initiative for pre-approved assets. Debit Account are available to the youth through a partnership with US Bank.  And Door Openers are located to offer the youth locally developed opportunities. ·        Mentors – will be matched with participants to help ease the transition into adulthood and to provide a caring adult to those youth without many relationships.     The primary goal of the resource center is to serve as a central place where the youth between the ages of 18 and 23 who have previously been in foster care or other types of state custody can find  assistance and interact with others who have recently overcome the challenges facing them.