1994-1995 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest
Should Government Intervene To Help Children and Teens in Trouble: If so, How? If Not Government, Who or What Entity Should Offer What Type of Assistance?
Teacher: Dea Podhajsky
Kiona-Benton High School, Benton, Washington
3rd Carolyn Whistlecraft
The first and second prize winning papers
from Kiona-Benton High school submitted papers to the Alternatives contest.
The following Students participated in this contest:
Alexandre
Risch Darich
Carpenter Kendal
Piatt Adam Fuller
Nicole Englehart
Josh
Muxen Kerri Morse
Matt Brown Stephanie Tritt
"We would also need to find kids to volunteer to talk to kids about
drugs. Some of the teens would be a couple kids willing to give up a little of their
time....The plan our class came up with is a good service project for teens who could help
the younger ones when needed."
Lisa Shores, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"There must also be reform programs in the juvenile detention
centers. It must be available to those who want and need it. Problems will not be solved
if we do not help those with the problems. Even though there are people against it, these
children must be given a second chance; maybe not fourth and fifth chances, but...a
second."
Darick Carpenter, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"Finally Mrs. Lepore stated that money is not the problem; it is the
time spent. If each kid just had one adult to look up to we would not have the problems we
do now. ...Kids these days need older role models...whether their role models are their
Big Brother/Big Sister or the police officer that is running the D.A.R.E. program."
Stephanie Tritt, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"In 1987 the number of children who were in any care outside of the natural home rose from 300,000 to 460,000. If this fact alone is not enough to turn heads, try this. Between 1985 and 1990 there was a 27 percent decrease in family participation in foster care treatment. This means that families no longer wanted to participate in any kind of rehabilitation regarding children. The fact that children in care outside of the natural home increased as the number of foster families participants decreased is not a coincidence, it is the point. Government intervention in such forms as youth facilities should incorporate teaching family values to preserve future generations while administrating rehabilitation to troubled teens and children.
As much as many Americans hate to admit it, Hillary Rodham-Clinton is right. The idea of developing enough orphanages to accommodate America's needy children is 'unbelievable and absurd.' For example, to keep one child in care at Boys Town for one year ranges from $40,000 to $48,000. On the average, there are as many as 550 children living at Boys Town. This number multiplied by the cost of care over a period of time, would exceed our national debt. This is an incredible amount of money. Who pays for this care? Ninety percent comes from charity type donations. The other 10 percent comes from the government which eventually leads to taxpayer money. When 10 percent of our national debt is considered again, it is a substantial sum of money. In order to decrease spending in child-care, the root of the problem must be confronted—the family.
Many of these children come from families with generations of dysfunction. Dysfunctions range from drug and alcohol abuse to teen pregnancy to criminal activities. ...Preventative measures that are effective are those used over a period of time. A problem as immense as the welfare system and troubled teens is not going to be solved instantaneously. In the words of Father Val Peter, Executive Director of Boys Town, 'To every complicated problem there's a simple solution—and it's always wrong.'
Our country is on the verge of panic over the problems with troubled teens and whether or not the government should intervene. In the past decades government has intervened. In some cases the intervention has been effective, in others it has not. An example of effective intervention would be using Boys Town's Behavior Modification system and/or the Family Teaching system in government owned facilities. The skills and family values which are taught at Boys Town are essential to rehabilitation of troubled teens and children. Family skills and values that are taught are eventually internalized. The majority of children in America who are taught to internalize information rarely forgot what they have learned. Think of troubled teens and children as broken objects. One could always fix a broken plate with a piece of tape—an instantaneous solution–or a long drying glue. The glue would permanently fix the plate unless stress was applied to the broken area. The glue that was already on the area would have created a bond that would make it easier to fix the plate the second time, if necessary. This is much the way that family values would help strengthen our children and teens in America.
A vast majority of the children and teens are put in quick-fix places like detention
centers where next to nothing is taught and discipline [is applied]. It is true that
children and teens need discipline but children are more receptive to teaching when the
environment is more congenial. Child welfare advocates believe that the conservatives have
lost touch with the real family system of values. There may be some truth to this belief.
Detention centers and some government run facilities may be a quick answer for children
and teens who are in trouble. What about the future? When these children get out of lock
up facilities what will they have learned? 'Don't get caught.' 'I have to be smarter next
time.' One way to ensure that the future generations of children learn family values is to
teach today's generation. Without help, the future generations will repeat the same cycle
and the cycle will continue. Government intervention, such as youth facilities, should
incorporate teaching family values to preserve future generations while administrating
rehabilitation to troubled teens and children."
Athena M. Gillespie, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"With all programs there are instances where the money may be put to better use
somewhere else. Unfortunately, this means the program may be cut. The importance of some
programs over others is a difficult decision, but once again it is a decision that must be
made."
Josh Muxen, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Many...troubled kids have had no parental involvement, supervision, and guidance.
...Without respect for other people, why should they have respect for the educational
system? Their parents probably do not encourage them to study, or perhaps they wonder why
they should graduate if their parents didn't even graduate. When you have not been taught
to appreciate education, it is no wonder why some people do not value the time they spend
in school. Helping these kids to take advantage of what they learn in school could be
vital to save them from ending up out on the streets, or in prison."
Alexandre Risch, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"Before you can decide what program you need, you have to decide if it will
achieve its purpose, which is ultimately to help the troubled kids. First we must find out
what is causing the problem before it can be dealt with. There are two ways we can go
about this. In a proactive or reactive manner Should we try and help the kids before they
get into trouble, or just wait and then deal with it. Eventually you will have to deal
with these kids. Wouldn't it be easier to catch the problem early, before it gets out of
hand? Since the taxpayer is going to have to pay for these children whether or not they
are in school, or in prison, maybe money should be spent on something positive to make
them succeed. Dealing with people in a proactive manner usually makes them respond in a
more positive way."
Alexandre Risch, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
The students at Kiona-Benton High School conducted surveys:
"Responses to the poll questions dealt mainly with the troubled children in
schools and how we, as a community and school, could deal with them. Responses varied.
Subject them to disciplinary action, don't just let them get their own way. Remove them
from class and help them with their problems. It is mandatory for counseling. Give them
special program options. Give them more attention, a better environment, nurture them, and
try to find the cause of their misbehavior."
Desiree Button, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Many people were concerned with the children and how to raise them in a positive
environment. Many people agreed that the children need discipline, and they wanted a way
for the kids to have more attention. Others said that they need to be nurtured. If there
was a way for the kids to work one on one with the teacher they would like that done
because [all are] different and need to be understood before they can be taught to their
advantage."
Shannah Benningfield, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"When our class reviewed the results of the first survey, we found that the local problem mostly referred to troubled kids. We then developed a second set of questions to ask elected officials, public administrators, and others. The questions were:
1. Are there any programs that exist that can help troubled kids?
2. Which programs could be cut?
3. Which programs costs least?
4. Which program costs more?"
Adam Fuller, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
They researched existing programs:
"The way our class decided to find out more about troubled kids in school, was to
talk to local school officials. We talked to the elementary, middle school, and high
school principals along with our school counselor. Everyone agreed on one thing; the need
to prioritize, so the most could be made of limited funds. There are many programs that
have been created to help kids with whatever problems they might have, whether it is
someone who can't afford to buy lunch, or someone who dropped out of school. The programs
are out there; they need to be sorted through."
Alexandre Risch, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"In interviewing Mr. Muxen, our school principal, we found more programs that are
available to help troubled children. Mid-Columbia Consortion is federally funded and
designed for kids with low incomes and performance. The supervisors are paid and the
students are paid to do school work. It's not an effective program. Out of a list of ten
who are enrolled only four show up. OIC is much like Mid-Columbia Consortion, but no one
is paid. There is an after school tutor program for children who need help in their
studies. At our school it is a free program. Jump-Start gives kids career skills and help
with achieving a G.E.D. Running Start is a program in our area that gives high school age
kids the chance to take college course for high school credits and earn college credits at
the same time. When asked which programs he would cut, Mr. Muxen responded in the same
manner as Mr. Hinders, [school superintendent] he would have to go through the programs
and see which was the least effective.... By interviewing our schools counselor, Mrs.
Lepore, we found out about Home Base. The Home Base program is designed for kids who don't
want to go home. This program is affordable and sponsored by the school and police. The
children who are involved in the program make the rules. In our area it is open until two
a.m. Sports are available such as football, basketball, hockey, etc."
Desiree Button, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Mr. Henderson, our superintendent, discussed programs in our area that help out 'troubled kids' such as the Passkey program which consists of many area schools and helps kids with school. He said it was kid of a drop out retrieval program. He talked about our special education classes which help students with mental and/or physical handicaps. He also described an alternative middle school which is directed toward junior high students with discipline problems. He talked about Tri-Tech which provides students with the option of learning the job they want to do [in the future]. Mr. Henderson said that we are going to have to cut back on funds for these groups. To back this, he talked about Proposition 601 which has a tax and revenue proposition in the state of Washington that was passed in November of 1994. Under it, the state can only spend so much money on these programs, even if more money is available.
Mr. Allen, a teacher in our school involved in the PASS program, talked to our class....He said it [PASS] was like taking correspondence classes for kids who drop out, are missing credits or are migrant workers. If they were still going to school, they get paid minimum wage for doing their homework there. This payment makes up for the job they could have instead of studying. Most need to work to support their family. Admission into this program is based on income and academics. We asked Mr. Allen if the results of this program show it is worth the money, time and effort. He said he doesn't believe PASS is doing what it could be doing because it's not reaching enough kids. In fact, there are ten kids enrolled in the program and only three or four come on a regular basis.
Our class also spoke to Mr. Linehan, the middle school principal. He was upset when the DARE program was cut. He said it was cut because of a shortage of police officers in our county. He said the deputy taught DARE to 3rd and 5th graders. In 7th grade they had a program through DARE called GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) which helped kids stay away from gang related activities. He believed their programs were really helping. He said that peer pressure is bad in our middle school.
Mr. Morton, the elementary school principal, was interviewed. He thought that a Big
Brother/Big Sister program would help the younger kids stay away from trouble. He also
said DARE was a helpful program because it taught the kids that police officers are good
people. He thought that if we would have been able to keep the DARE program, kids would
have gone to the police officer for help with drugs, gangs, abuse, or family problems.
Mrs. Lepore, our school counselor, talked about the school lunch program. She believed it
should be kept because that is the only time some kids get to eat."
Monica Bauer, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
Many students were aware of budget constraints:
"With all programs there are instances where the money may be put to better use
somewhere else. Unfortunately, this means the program may be cut. The importance of some
programs over others is a difficult decision, but once again it is a decision that must be
made."
Josh Muxen, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Alternative Schools in Pasco provide school for students who don't get along in a
regular class environment, but this helps few students and cost a lot because of
transportation. ...After talking to the coordinator of OIC he said that of the few that
participate, hardly any of them really try hard or pay attention so the money would
probably be better spent on something such as DARE."
Greg Pace, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Our class first proposed a plan by a lengthy discussion. One part that some of
the group wanted to drop was the PASS program. Others felt that the cost, when spread over
all the tax payers, was so minimal to each tax payer that it is more beneficial for them
to pay that small amount now rather than paying more to supply them with welfare later on
when they are jobless and with out a high school diploma."
Carolyn Whistlecrah, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"I think that we should think about and investigate [programs before] we invest
our money ...those in charge of such programs should coordinate with each other to get the
best out of the system ....we decided to cut the OIC and the PASS programs, thinking that
those who dropped out should have to work just as hard as the students that have not
dropped out. Using the money from these cut programs we would reinstate the DARE program,
and begin a Big Brother, Big Sister program."
Darick Carpenter, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"If PASS were regional it would make a bigger impact on the students needing the
help, they wouldn't feel so all alone. Our plan would also cut back on funds and we could
use those to employ a DARE. officer. The Natural Helpers of our school could run the BB/BS
program almost as a service project. Having high school kids go to the middle and
elementary schools to talk about drugs is a great idea. We could send only those students
who have been involved a lot in school without the use of drugs, alcohol or dropping out.
This way the younger kids could see that it pays to stay in school and be drug free. This
would also help if we couldn't get DARE re-instated. I believe we do need to provide these
services for the younger kids to help them make better choices and grow up to be
responsible adults."
Monica Bauer, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
The class proposal:
"Having reviewed this information our plan of action is as follows:
...The money already supplied is being redistributed in a manner that better serves the
communities needs and concerns. Modifications are all more efficient and no workers are
displaced."
Sara Johnson, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
The students at Kiona-Benton High School were enthusiastic about the Big Brother/Big Sister programs:
"What we decided on was a Big Brother/Big Sister program where students with decent grades and a stable lifestyle could tutor and serve as a positive role model for primarily younger students who are struggling at home and/or in the classroom.
One of the reasons to hit the kids while they're younger is because then they still look up to the high school students and would be more apt to change because of the respect there. When they get older they will have already dropped out or will not be accessible because they may think the whole thing is lame or something....If we could successfully turn kids around at a younger age by maybe giving them self-esteem and value, it would affect long term behavior perhaps keeping them from criminal activity or welfare dependency. When kids reach this stage it becomes very difficult...to get rid of the 'cop-out' on society attitude they [may] have developed....A good reason for doing this...would be to take some of the load off of the teachers and other administrators. The teacher's job is to teach, not to be a police officer which is what they are stuck doing in many cases now.
Troubled youth is clearly a problem today. If it wasn't a problem, then our class
wouldn't be writing an essay to examine a possible solution. Our proposal altogether has
more positive than negative possibilities. One of the major ones being that it won't cost
a lot because we utilize student and community volunteers. And any other costs here and
there would be nothing compared to the money saved in the long run in directing young
delinquents into a more productive lifestyle."
Ken Curtis, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"The Big Brother/Sister [program] has many advantages. It would give younger
children a chance to have role models in high school....With all the talk about
anti-drug/gang/violence it would be nice to get a head start on the future youth of the
world and this is a major way to accomplish this task. With proper high school students as
Brothers/Sisters it would encourage the young child to be studious and to change and help
his/her friends along the way to high school."
Keith Wohlwend, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"Group three found some problems that existed with out plan. Kids who may need to
participate in the Big Brother/Big Sister program may not be able to get parent
permission. The kids may have a problem with transportation. The program may be more
expensive than we planned for it to be. Also who would do the screening for those who
wished to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. I feel that many of these problems have
solutions."
Shannah Benningfield, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
Is there a subtle message in the last word in her first sentence as Shannah continues below:
"Kids would not need parent permission if the program was an in-school ordeal. The
child's Big Brother or Big Sister could come to the child for an hour each week as
scheduled. Transportation would no longer be a problem for the kid then either. This would
also keep the costs down; there would not be anything to pay for really. The Natural
Helpers could do the screening for those who wanted to participate as a Big Brother or Big
Sister. They could set up the criteria that they feel is important to fulfill this
position and it would all work out. This is a very good program that would not cost
anything and may turn out to help many kids. The kids would have a positive role model to
look up to, and if they ever had any problems they would have an understanding person
there to listen and help in any way they can."
Shannah Benningfield, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"The Big Brother/Big Sister, the volunteer anti-drug, and DARE programs would all
be very beneficial to our youth. The young children of today need positive role models.
These programs will help them to make good decisions in the future. These programs are not
expensive and seem to be very important. These young children are the future of our
communities, and if we respect our communities, then it is our duty to help our
youth."
Nicole Engelhart, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
Students came up with proposals. Proposals to help kids already caught in a struggle:
"There must also be reform programs in the juvenile detention centers. It must be
available to those who want and need it. Problems will not be solved if we do not help
those with the problems. Even though there are people against it, these children must be
given a second chance; maybe not fourth and fifth chances, but definitely a second."
Darick Carpenter, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"An example of a successful program for troubled kids in our community would be
the Tri-Tech Skills Center. A lot of students in our school go to it every day and it
teaches them skills they need to know about jobs they can get right out of high school,
which is a better alternative than unemployment."
Kerri Morse, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"Tri-Tech. is an example of a very successful program. Kids love the chance to see
their skills at work now. It also gives them knowledge of what choices they have in the
future. As technology gets more advanced, education will have to be much broader than it
is now to handle these advanced, education will have to be much broader than it is now to
handle these advancements. This is why vocational schooling is a good government
investment."
Matt Brown, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington
"There are many programs that are designed to help kids deal with their problems,
so that they can get on the right track. The first thing that needs to be done is to
organize the programs, cut through all of the bureaucracy and actually do something about
the problem. People need to take time out of their own busy schedule and volunteer time to
make society into a better place. Somehow, somewhere people began to forget...that today's
children are tomorrow's future [and they] need to be guided in the right direction. The
only way things will change is if everyone starts to care."
Alexandre Risch, Kiona-Benton High, Benton City, Washington
"A program that has been going on at school for a while which has helped is the
Natural Helpers program This gives students the training they need to help others with
problems. It also does tutoring and shows new students around."
Kim Parisn, Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City, Washington