County groups working to help youth

SKOWHEGAN – A forum on young people this week was so successful that attendees begged the organizers to offer it again, this time for educators.

Meanwhile, propelled by strong community support, organizers have planned a half-dozen other events centered on healthy people and thriving communities.

SCARP, the Somerset County Association of Resource Providers, is taking the lead role.

More than 60 people attended Tuesday’s gathering, “Got a Minute? Give It To a Kid,” which had been in the planning stages for nearly a year, and which was centered on a groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences study.

The study revealed that childhood trauma is surprisingly common in the general population, has a profound effect on adult health and well-being and is a primary driver of health care and social service spending.

As a result, the forum reinforced, early intervention is the key to preventing many social ills.

Dana Hamilton and Amanda Hilton, co-chairmen of Somerset County Communities for Children and Youth, said many good suggestions were made at the forum and that many are already in place.

“Some of the options mentioned are already going on,” said Hamilton. “We are doing the work but, unfortunately, we are not marketing ourselves well.”

Hilton said that some of the activities, groups and forums have been posted on the town of Skowhegan Web site but that individual schools and communities need to get more involved.

At Tuesday’s forum, there was overwhelming support to offer a similar workshop for teachers and a half-day session for parents.

Even with the great participation and enthusiasm shown at the forums, the women admitted there is a lot of work ahead.

“Skowhegan still has the highest teen pregnancy in the state, two times the state average,” Hilton said. Somerset County also has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the state.

“We need to help these young people feel good about themselves, help them find self-esteem and self-worth,” she said.

Hamilton said momentum now is high. “People are sincere about making Somerset County a better place for children, not just their own kids, but for all kids.”

“We are excited and hopeful,” Hilton said.

On Monday, SCARP members will meet with Skowhegan Police Chief Butch Asselin to see how the two groups can coordinate their efforts and to begin planning a forum for teenagers to talk about the recent local increase in juvenile crime.

A similar forum for parents, providers and community members earlier this year drew more than 300 people.

Coming events sponsored by county agencies include:

. March 21: Parent and community forum on bullying, sponsored by Sebasticook Valley Healthy Living Coalition, 6 p.m. at Warsaw Middle School in Pittsfield.

. April: Fifth annual Boys Day and third annual Girls Day at Madison.

In April, Skowpendous Family Fun Night, sponsored by the Somerset County Family Enrichment Council and Main Street Skowhegan.

In May, Weaving Connections, a mother-daughter puberty event at Skowhegan.

Dates, locations and details of these events will be advertised in the future.