Sue Scheff: Students Offering Support

SOS means a lot of things to different people, however in South Florida, SOS is Students Offering Support which is a non-profit organization designed to bring a positive impact into our community through charitable causes and much more.

The mission of this club is to introduce high school co-eds to the impact that they can have on their community as they themselves conduct the business each year of identifying community needs and creating a plan of fund raising and service that will assist in meeting those needs. Our goal is to fulfill this mission while providing an enjoyable and fun means of uniting our community youth.

Read more about their recent events. Click here.

Sue Scheff: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is a non-profit organization that promotes the virtues of civility and respect by helping students of all ages learn how to care for other people. SAVE's mission is to decrease the potential for violence in schools and communities by promoting meaningful student involvement, education and service opportunities in efforts to provide safer environments for learning.

Read more and watch slideshow -click here.

Sue Scheff: Be Special to Yourself for Teenagers

Be Special to Yourself for Teenagers

By Ronit Baras

"At Last! A Collection of Teen Stories That Inspire, Encourage, Educate and Motivate Our Teens"

Introducing "Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers"


Inspirational Teen Stories By Ronit Baras

Who else wants to discover morale-boosting, confidence-building teen stories that uplift the soul and inspire young adults to be responsible and motivated?

Forget about computers or TV and throw out lecturing your teens about respect, health, success, motivation and confidence.

"Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers", a collection of inspirational teens stories that does the job for you!

Read more and order this amazing book today!  Click here.

Sue Scheff: Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)

Mission of SWAT

SWAT is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. We are a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future.

Proven Successes


SWAT chapters can be found in schools and communities throughout the State of Florida. Youth in SWAT are engaged in activities that educate their peers and policy makers about the need to change social norms related to tobacco.

Since SWAT began in 1998, youth who have ever tried cigarettes has decreased by 58.7% among middle school students and 44.3% among high school students.

SWAT is committed to developing leadership skills in youth through training in tobacco issues, media literacy, policy development process, presentation skills, and evaluation. Through empowering the youth of SWAT and providing leadership opportunities on the state and local levels, it builds the capacity of its advocates to enable environmental and policy change.

Visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/tobacco/SWAT.html for more information.

Watch PSA video here.

Sue Scheff: Wealth Quest for Teens

A lifetime of financial freedom, starting now!

WealthQuest for Teens offers powerful programs on money management and wealth building for teenagers, ages 14-19. Narrated by and for teens, these programs provide an educational foundation upon which young people can begin to build and celebrate wealth responsibly---in a way that comes from a commitment to themselves, the people in their lives, and the world community. While there are many books and expert advice for teens about budgeting, saving, and investing money, our seminars provide the missing link between knowing this information and making it happen in real life. The online seminar and the DVD are FUN, FRESH & ENGAGING programs that teens will love!!

Learn more visit http://www.wealthquestforteens.com/index.htm

Sue Scheff: Covenant House for Homeless Teens

In South Florida, the Covenant House offers relief for homeless teens. Covenant House Florida serves runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth under 21 including teen parents and their babies.

Each year, we reach hundreds of kids in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando via street outreach, crisis shelters, transitional housing projects, and aftercare, making Covenant House Florida one of the largest private agencies serving runaway and homeless youth in the state of Florida.

Services offered:

• Street Outreach by van and foot
• Shelter Care — nourishing meals, clean clothes, and a safe place to sleep: current capacity Ft Lauderdale 68 Youths / Orlando 20 Youths (both locations accessible to young mothers and their babies)
• Counseling, Case Management, and Referrals
• Health Services at on-site clinics
• Family Reunification
• Substance Abuse Intervention
• Pregnancy Prevention/Teen Parent Education
• Education
• Job Readiness
• Life Skills Instruction
• Transportation Assistance
• Pastoral Ministry
• Rights of Passage Transitional Housing
• Aftercare/Walk-In Services

 To contact the Covenant House for more information, call toll free at 1-800-683-8338.

Must watch video and read more. Help get young people off the streets.

Sue Scheff: PS Youth Outreach Center

PS Youth Outreach Center, Inc. (PS Youth) is a community-based 501 (C)(3)non-profit organization serving at-risk youth who reside in Broward County. We offer a wide array of services designed to meet the needs of youth and families who are faced with one or more barriers.

PS Youth has been approved by Florida Department of Education to provide SES (Supplemental Educational Services) to students of Broward County. Please consider us to help your child. Call for more information. 954-358-0625. We specialize in effective and essential one-on-one and small-group instruction and strive to be flexible in order to best meet your needs.

Click here for more information.

Sue Scheff: Daylight Saving Time - Spring Forward

It is that time of year again! College students and many teens are preparing for their spring break as they also lose an hour as we spring forward!

Ft. Lauderdale and Miami can be the hot spring break spots. If you are visiting here, don't forget on Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time begins. The old cliché, "fall back, spring ahead" help many people remember what direction their time is going. Will you be gaining or losing an hour?

In South Florida, we will be losing an hour as we spring ahead - however in some states such as Arizona (except some Indian Reservations), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa have chosen not to observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).

The purpose of DST, also known as summer time, is to extend daylight by an hour in the afternoons during spring, summer, and part of the fall.

Fall back will be on November 7th, 2010 this year.

Parents get ready this weekend, you will lose an hour of sleep and your kids will still be going strong...

Read more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Science Games to Inspire your Kids

Janet Murray recently posted a fantastic Blog that offers parents free and exciting games to inspire their children. She asked me to share it with my readers. As summer is around the corner, here are some great ideas to help your children have fun while they are learning!

60 Free Science Games to Excite & Inspire Your Kids

By this point, everyone realizes that there need not be any delineation between education and entertainment. Parents and teachers alike can supplement a student’s knowledge of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines with literally hundreds of free games available online through a multitude of sources. The following list compiles 60 of the most popular ones, mostly involving some of the more popular subjects among children.

Click here for the games.

Sue Scheff: Cards to Inspire Your Kids - Free from Hallmark

Hallmark greetings cards can help you say, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Get Well Soon, and much more to your family and friends.

Now through March 14th, Hallmark Gold Crown stores are offering free cards to inspire your kids! Every child needs to know how much they are loved or even a boost of self esteem to pull them through a tough day or difficult test. Dance recitals are coming up, don't forget to show your child how proud you are of them. Be your child's booster - give them a card with the words that help them know they are number one in your world.

From grade school to high school you can find a card to boost your child's self confidence.

Sue Scheff: Feingold Program Launches New Website

Visit http://www.feingold.org/ for their new website and great information.

What problems have been helped by the Feingold Program?

• Attention Deficits, Hyperactivity (ADD / ADHD)
• Asthma
• Autism, PDD, Aspergers
• Bedwetting
• Depression
• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Learning Disabilities
• Ear Infections
• Eczema, Hives (Urticaria)
• Eye Muscle Disorders, Strabismus, Nystagmus
• Headaches, Migraines
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Seizures
• Sleep Disorders, Nightmares, Night Terrors
• Speech Difficulties
• Tourette Syndrome
• Violence, aggression

Sue Scheff: Kids with Depression

What is pediatric depression?

It's normal for children and teenagers to have sad or moody days, but when those feelings last for two weeks or longer, it could indicate that something more serious is going on. As adults, it can be hard for us to accept that children can also have depression, but research is going on now to help find new medicines for children with depression in the future.

If your child has been displaying one or more of these signs of depression for at least two weeks, and they are interfering with his/her ability to function, then he/she may be depressed and eligible to take part in this research:

• Frequent sadness, or crying
• Decreased interest in activities
• Persistent boredom; low energy
• Social isolation
• Low self-esteem and guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Poor concentration
• A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
• Talk of, or efforts to run away from home

Visit Kids With Depression

Are you worried or concerned that your child or teen is struggling with depression? Visit http://www.kidswithdepression.com/ and learn more.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.

Sue Scheff: Courageous Parents, Confident Kids - Letting Go So You Both Can Grow

Courageous Parents - Letting Go So You Both Can Grow

Announcing the Courageous Parents, Confident Kids book cover and a first peek at the content by chapters.


This book is a tremendous collaborative effort brought about by the vision and determination of Amy Tiemann, Ph.D. and author of several books and articles – her latest book was Mojo Mom: Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family.


The new book will be released in paperback on April 18th, but we are giving the book away as a free digital download to people who sign up for a free copy on MojoMom.com before April 18th. The digital download will be packaged as a PDF file so it can be read on any computer, or printed out. This is an incredible opportunity to gain valuable information and insight free of charge.

Here is a preview of Courageous Parents, Confident Kids — Letting Go So You Both Can Grow

Introduction by the Editor, Amy Tiemann, Ph.D., author Mojo Mom: Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family.

Part 1: The Courage to Invest in Your Own Development

The Transformative Power of Self-care by Renee Peterson Trudeau, life coach and author of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal.

Tools for Career Reinvention by Kella Hatcher and Maryanne Perrin, founders of Balancing Professionals.

Part 2: Developing Your Own Courageous Parenting Style

The Courage to Let Our Kids Solve Their Own Problems by Maya Frost, international lifestyle design expert and author of The New Global Student.

The Power of Personal Significance for Kids of All Ages by Amy McCready, parent educator and founder of Positive Parenting Solutions.

I’m Worried I Worry Too Much, But How Do I Stop? by Jamie Woolf, leadership expert and author of Mom-In Chief.

Part 3: Real-world Safety Skills for All

Kidpower: Skills for Safety, Skills for Independence by Irene van der Zande, co-founder and Executive Director of Kidpower, Teenpower, Fullpower International.

How to Say Yes to Your Kids’ Online Activities by Linda Criddle, internet safety and technology expert and creator of iLookBothWays.com

Part 4: Finding Your Voice and Raising It for the Community

Becoming a Political Parent: PunditMom on Mothers Raising Their Voices Online by Joanne Bamberger, journalist and PunditMom blogger.

Building a Family-friendly America: Challenge and Progress Through the Eyes of MomsRising.org by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, co-founder and Executive Director of MomsRising.org

It Takes a Motherhood by Cooper Munroe and Emily McKhann, co-creators of the award-winning online community, TheMotherhood.com

The goal of Courageous Parents, Confident Kids is to share core concepts and skills you can build on as you raise a family, participate in your community, and continue your own development. I hope you enjoy the book.

Blog post by Linda Criddle

Sue Scheff: Florida Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide Prevention Day at the Capital is an annual statewide event in which the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention and the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition are joined by advocates, survivors, grassroots organizations, youth, and other state agencies to bring suicide to the forefront as a public health issue.


This year, Suicide Prevention Day falls on March 24, 2010, but we are holding other activities throughout the week of March 22nd - 26th. Below you will find the tentative schedule of events, but I encourage you to continue checking our website for the most current updates as they become available (http://www.helppromotehope.com/ ). Please view the attached event flyers and feel free to post them on your respective websites and forward to your colleagues.