Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 9.04 Education
Presentation #1 Title
Considering a Model of Support for At Risk Children in Rural Appalachian Communities
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Many children in rural Appalachia are at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior and mental health disorders due to sparse resources and limited support systems within the family and the community. The resources that are available to assist children in rural Appalachia may be underutilized due to limited understanding of resource availability and other limitations (e.g., geographical, limited finances). The purpose of this presentation is to discuss methods of building healthy communities for children at risk through accessing a “natural helper framework” inherent in many Appalachian communities. The presentation will discuss accessing religious communities, extended family care, and other resources that may be available to Appalachian families. Additionally, it will discuss the unique needs for children at risk for socioemotional and academic failure and a model for analyzing and accessing available resources that can be present when mental health resources are lacking.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Jenna Wallace is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Marshall University. Her research interests include child behavior, rural children, spirituality, and rural family dynamics.
Considering a Model of Support for At Risk Children in Rural Appalachian Communities
Harris Hall 136
Many children in rural Appalachia are at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior and mental health disorders due to sparse resources and limited support systems within the family and the community. The resources that are available to assist children in rural Appalachia may be underutilized due to limited understanding of resource availability and other limitations (e.g., geographical, limited finances). The purpose of this presentation is to discuss methods of building healthy communities for children at risk through accessing a “natural helper framework” inherent in many Appalachian communities. The presentation will discuss accessing religious communities, extended family care, and other resources that may be available to Appalachian families. Additionally, it will discuss the unique needs for children at risk for socioemotional and academic failure and a model for analyzing and accessing available resources that can be present when mental health resources are lacking.
