Indiana Youth Institute

BRIEF SUMMARY

For three decades, the Indiana Youth Institute has supported the youth services field through innovative trainings, critical data, and capacity-building resources, aiming every effort at increasing the well-being of all children.  IYI believes that every child counts. When children experience the conditions to thrive, to reach their full potential, our families, communities and state benefit. We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership, knowing that the ever-changing issues faced by children and youth cannot be tackled in silos. The success of youth-serving professionals and organizations is amplified when connected with other dedicated partners. We believe in constant learning and innovation. Our work is not finished until every child, in every part of our state, is safe, well-educated, healthy and supported by caring adults.

RESOURCES

• (Added 10/22/24): IYI Weekly Update for Week of October 18
• (Added 9/23/24):  Indiana Girl Report: Insights on Hoosier Girls’ Mental Health! September is Suicide Prevention Month, we have included a preview of the Access to Mental Health Supports section in the 2024 Indiana Girl Report below The 2024 Indiana Girl Report is an overview of the well-being of Indiana girls statewide. It aims to showcase the realities girls face and the variances across regions, an approach created through the data-centric expertise of Indiana Youth Institute and the girl-centric expertise of the Girl Coalition of Indiana and Girl Scouts.  September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this month we’re highlighting data related to the mental health girls in our state. Below, you’ll find a preview of the Emotional Wellness section of the 2024 Indiana Girl Report. This report offers a comprehensive look at the well-being of Indiana girls, highlighting the realities they encounter and the differences across various regions. Created through a partnership between Indiana Youth Institute’s data expertise and the girl-centric insights from the Girl Coalition of Indiana and Girl Scouts, this report aims to foster understanding and support for our young girls’ mental health.A few highlights include:
  • In 2022, female students in 7th through 12th grade in Indiana were twice as likely as their male peers to report several mental health issues, such as feeling sad or hopeless for over two weeks, seriously considering suicide, and making a plan about how to attempt suicide
  • In 2022, female students in grades 6th through 12th reported higher prevalence rates than their male peers for using electronic vapor, alcohol, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, marijuana, and cigarettes

  All adolescents should have access to mental health support, including through programs, interventions, and mental health services in their schools and communities.

  To learn more and access the report, click. HERE

• (Added 9/23/24):  Raising Suicide and Prevention Awareness – Schools play a key role in suicide prevention by providing daily access to students, allowing educators and staff to identify at-risk individuals early on. They also offer a structured environment where students can learn about mental health, build resilience, and connect with supportive resources. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give off warning signs. When the school community, including both adults and students, is dedicated to prioritizing suicide prevention they can intervene and support young people before they make choices that cannot be undone.
  • What are possible risk factors?    School’s faculty and students should be made aware of suicide risk factors to identify and support vulnerable students before a crisis occurs. Risk factors for youth suicide include mental health disorders (such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder), substance abuse, a history of trauma or abuse, bullying, feelings of hopelessness, social isolation, family conflict, access to lethal means (like firearms), and exposure to suicidal behavior in others, including peers, family members, or through media.
  • What can schools and learning centers do?   The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) suggests a comprehensive approach that includes the following components.
    • Promote emotional well-being and connectedness among all students
    • Identify students who may be at risk for suicide and assist them in getting help.
    • Be prepared to respond when suicide death occurs.

    Click Here for SPRC’s Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention.

• (Added 9/23/24): IYI’s College & Career Program Navigator pulls programs from across the state into one easy to access spot. Quality resources and connections to programs to ensure youth-serving professionals and organizations have the tools to support Indiana youth in pursuing their post-secondary educational journey. Start exploring today!
• (Added 9/2/24): The 2024 Indiana Girl Report:  The 2024 Indiana Girl Report is available now! This report is an overview of the well-being of Indiana girls statewide. It aims to showcase the realities girls face and the variances across regions, an approach created through the data-centric expertise of Indiana Youth Institute and the girl-centric expertise of the Girl Coalition of Indiana and Girl Scouts.
  • The Indiana Girl Report includes:
  • Girl-specific data sourced from IYI’s Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book and other relevant data sets;

• • Girl-specific data by sub-groups inclusive of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental and physical ability, and other characteristics when available;

• • Girl-specific multi-year trends related to emotional health indicators, physical health indicators, academic performance, and social wellness;

• • Data-driven actions for parents, youth service providers, and policymakers to improve support and overall conditions for Indiana girls.
  • The 2024 Indiana Girl Report contains three distinct sections, designed to provide a comprehensive look and elevate statewide attention of the realities impacting girls’ lives.
  • To read the report, click HERE.
• (Added 4/9/24):  The Indiana Youth Institute is offering professional development grants up to $750 for individuals pursuing their ability to provide college & career support to youth. You can use this opportunity to attend conferences or support your continued education. Click here for the application: https://iyi.org/opportunities/college-career-professional-development-grant/. Contact Nathan Foor with any questions. nfoor@iyi.org
• (Added 2/13/24): The Indiana Youth Institute has professional development grants up to $750 available for individuals pursuing their ability to provide college & career support to youth. Anyone who is looking for money to help with the cost of a learning opportunity or attending a conference is encouraged to apply. Click here for the application: https://iyi.org/opportunities/college-career-professional-development-grant/ Contact Nathan Foor with any questions. nfoor@iyi.org
• (Added 1/23/24):  Professional Development Grants Available for College & Career Readiness! IYI Professional Development grants are for any Indiana youth worker looking to enhance their skills, knowledge, and understanding of the resources available for supporting postsecondary educational attainment in the state. This grant covers expenses up to $750.Why Apply for a College &PDG with IYI?
• Develop Skills for Impact: Increase your ability to support youth’s aspirations for post-secondary education.
• Access Continuing Education: Stay ahead in your field with valuable insights and the latest industry trends.
• Identify Learning Opportunities: Advance your work in college and career readiness through targeted learning experiences.
• Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to invest in your professional growth and make a lasting impact on the future of Indiana’s youth!
• Apply here! 
• (Added 12/15/23, Nathan Foor, IYI) College and Career Professional Development Grant Application:
• Up to $750
• For any educator/youth worker looking to continue their education. This could be a conference, class, seminar, etc..
• (Added 12/12/23): Better FAFSA & 21st Century: Legislative Updates
• (Added 10/31/23): What Educators Need to Know About Bullying – Children’s social lives — and their academic lives go hand in hand, whether or not they have friends, whether they are accepted or rejected by their peers, or whether they are victims or perpetrators of aggression. This means that we cannot fully understand the factors that lead to academic achievement without knowing about the social environment of children in school. The American Physiological Association shares that bullying can have long-term effects on students’ academic achievement. Commonly labeled as peer victimization or peer harassment, school bullying is defined as physical, verbal, or psychological abuse of victims by perpetrators who intend to cause them harm.  The critical features that distinguish bullying from simple conflict between peers are: intentions to cause harm, repeated incidences of harm and an imbalance of power between perpetrator and victim. Some examples of an imbalance of power are physically stronger youth picking on weaker peers, older students harassing younger students, or numerical majority group members deriding numerical minority members. Hitting, kicking, shoving, name-calling, spreading of rumors, exclusion and intimidating gestures (e.g., eye rolling) by powerful peers are all examples of harassment that is physical, verbal, or psychological in nature.  Some definitions of bullying state that the harassment must be repeated over time. However, even a single traumatic incident of peer victimization can be painful and raise fears about continued abuse. The Indiana School Mental Health Initiative provides several informative videos for educators, access them here. 
• (Added 10/16/23): Navigating College Student Aid: the (new) Better FAFSA – Thanks to a new Indiana law, starting this year, Hoosier high school seniors will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A goal of the law, which was signed last April, is to ensure that students better understand and can access all the funding available to those who are headed to college. The share of Hoosier students heading to college has declined to 53%, and our workforce needs educated graduates. Accessing financial support for postsecondary education can help both our students and the state’s future economy. College is costly, and families and students can use every benefit to help make higher education more accessible. For millions of American students and their families, FAFSA is a crucial financial aid tool. By serving as the gateway to a range of federal and state grants, loans, and work-study programs, it makes higher education more accessible. This year marks the introduction of a new and improved application process that is being called “Better FAFSA.” Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is partnering with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) to provide local FAFSA trainings across the state that will walk through the new updates and guidelines. Everyone working with high school students is invited to attend and learn about the evolving higher education landscape in Indiana, empowering student success, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders for a brighter educational future.
• Statewide Webinar:  11/9/2023 – Webinar – Better FAFSA & 21st Century: Legislative Updates
• Local Youth Worker Café (in-person): 
  • 10/17/2023 ICHE: Better FAFSA, 21st Century Scholar Overview – Vanderburgh County
  • 10/19/2023 ICHE: Better FAFSA & 21st Century Scholars Overview – Lake County
  • 10/24/2023 ICHE: Better FAFSA & 21st Century Overview – Marion County
• Completing the FAFSA has never been easy, and we hope that the recent changes will reduce some of the complexity. At the same time the benefits of completing the FAFSA are clear, and include:
•  Access to Financial Aid
• State-Based Aid
• Institutional Scholarships
• Work-Study Opportunities
• Enhanced Financial Planning
• Completing the FAFSA can provide families with a clearer picture of their expected family contribution (EFC) and the overall cost of education. This information allows students and their families to make informed decisions about financing their education, including whether to pursue federal loans, seek scholarships, or consider alternative educational paths.
• Navigating FAFSA challenges requires careful planning and attention to detail, but the potential benefits make it a crucial step in the pursuit of higher education for many of our students and their families. Efforts to simplify the FAFSA process and improve its accessibility can help ensure that deserving students receive the financial support they need to achieve their educational goals. IYI’s upcoming trainings with ICHE will address these challenges, equipping educators, youth workers, and families with the information to help students build an affordable path to postsecondary success.
• To expand on the ideas above, click here. 
• (Added 10/09/23): World Mental Health Day – As World Mental Health Day approaches on October 10, 2023, we are sharing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) critical theme: “Mental health is a universal human right.” This year’s focus is a call to action, urging communities worldwide to enhance knowledge, amplify awareness, and drive initiatives that champion and safeguard everyone’s mental well-being. A few key messages from the World Health Organization:
• Understanding Mental Health as a Fundamental Human Right: Mental health is not a privilege but a basic human right accessible to all individuals, irrespective of background or location. Every person holds the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health, encompassing protection from mental health risks, accessible and high-quality care, and the fundamental rights of liberty, independence, and inclusion within their communities.
• The Importance of Good Mental Health : Good mental health is indispensable to overall well-being, yet a staggering one in eight individuals globally grapples with mental health conditions. These conditions impact physical health, well-being, social connections, and livelihoods. Notably, adolescents and young people are increasingly affected, emphasizing the urgency of addressing mental health challenges across all age groups.
• Everyone has the right to access quality mental health care: Possessing a mental health condition should never be a rationale for violating a person’s human rights or excluding them from decisions regarding their health. Unfortunately, globally, individuals with mental health conditions face a spectrum of human rights violations. Many experience exclusion and discrimination, while others struggle to access the necessary mental health care, or worse, find themselves subjected to care that violates their human rights.
• To learn more about World Mental Health Day from WHO, and expand on the ideas above, click here.
• To explore data on mental health in Indiana check out our IYI’s 2023 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book, here. 
• (Added 9/22/23): IYI Weekly Update
• (Added 9/18/23): IYI Weekly Update
• (Added 9/18/23 Bre Brown, Warren Central HS): The Girl Coalition of Indiana, in partnership with the Indiana Youth Institute, has just released a groundbreaking report on the realities girls face in our state – and the findings may shock you. The data for Indiana shows that we are not prioritizing their well-being.The Girl Coalition of Indiana is a statewide, girl-focused social innovation startup inspired by the six Girl Scout Councils currently serving girls across Indiana. Girl Co. seeks to enable every girl in Indiana to live her best life physically, academically, emotionally, and socially. In partnership with Girl Scouts, Girl Co. advocates for systemic change to provide accessible and equitable experiences for every girl, starting with conducting, sharing, and acting on annual research of the state of Indiana girls.
• To learn more about how you can stand with Indiana girls:
• Read the press release
• Watch the informational video
• Download the 2023 Indiana Girl report: which helps the Girl Coalition of Indiana with their mission and the data is relevant to all of us as educators and school counselors in Indiana.
• Sign up to join the advocacy movement
• Share this content with your network
• (Added 9/11/23): IYI Weekly Update: Don’t miss the release of the 2023 Indiana Girl Report, the inaugural snapshot on the well-being of girls in Indiana
• (Added 9/1/23): IYI Weekly Update: Check Out Your County Dashboard!
• (Added 8/28/23): IYI Weekly Update
• (Added March, 2023): 2023 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book
• (Added 6/10/22): College and Career Readiness Resources 
• Resources to Boost Hoosier College and Career Readiness
• Resources to Help Students with Financial Aid
• Recursos para apoyar a los estudiantes con la ayuda financiers
• Higher Ed Access & Enrollment Strategies – Part 1
• Higher Ed Access & Enrollment Strategies – Part 2
• 3/21/22: The IYI Data Book, Executive Summary
• CONTENT FEEDBACK
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