Mission Statement
The mission of LC4YF is to ensure the success of youth, adults and families through programming to meet the ever changing needs of individuals and our community.
There are three main areas of focus for LC4YF:
• Enrichment focuses on youth primarily in grades 4 – 12
• Intervention focuses on youth and families primarily in grades K-12.
• Counseling focuses on young children (age 3) through older adults (80s and beyond) via individual, couple, family and group therapy.
Jurisdiction
Lakes Center for Youth & Families shall provide programs and services to school districts including, but not limited to, those residing in Washington, Chisago and Anoka counties. Programming will also be provided to individuals, couples and families in, but not limited to, Washington, Anoka and Chisago Counties.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Although 2020 proved to be a challenging year for many, Lakes Center continued to provide services to individuals, couples and families. We quickly moved to tele-health appointments for counseling and intervention intakes and meetings in mid-March. We had fewer clients due mainly to technology issues on the client side or a desire not to pursue telehealth appointments but continued to provide much needed sessions to many of our clients while also adding new clients as well. Intervention was able to continue and keep pace with referrals and actually saw a decrease in the number of cancellations and no-shows. Enrichment experienced a decrease in participation due to the virtual format but was able to still reach youth in a new way. We continued employing all staff through 2020 which stabilized their work/professional lives as well as provided a stable and consistent presence in the community we serve.
Current Goals
Counseling - Continue to strengthen our relationship with Forest Lake Area Schools as we provide counseling services through an interagency agreement. Reach out to those seeking counseling in a way that diminished barriers, encourages completion of the intake process and results in participating in counseling sessions. Post and hire an additional counselor(s) to complement and broaden the expertise of our current counseling staff.
Intervention - Continue to work with Chisago and Washington Counties through our diversion/intervention program to eliminate/reduce interactions with law enforcement and the court system resulting from illegal actions. Expand the intervention/prevention work with Linwood Elementary to include students, parents/guardians and staff and document the work involved in creating a partnership that can be replicated in other schools in the Forest Lake School District.
Enrichment - Enhance the programming of Youth First to include more students in current school districts and expand to other school districts. Create a summer program for Youth First. Continue to provide Youth First programming with no cost to parents/guardians. Evaluate the Tried and True Program and determine when and how to reinstate it. Continue being a partner in the planning and implementation of Safety Camp that is available through the efforts of many community partners and offered in the summer.
Community or Constituency Served
Enrichment focuses on youth primarily in grades 4 – 12
Intervention focuses on youth and families primarily in grades K-12.
Counseling focuses on young children (age 3) through older adults (80s and beyond) via individual, couple, family
and group therapy.
Geographic Area Served
Lakes Center for Youth & Families shall provide programs and services to school districts including, but not limited to, those residing in Washington, Chisago and Anoka counties. Programming will also be provided to individuals, couples and families in, but not limited to, Washington, Anoka and Chisago Counties.
