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.

Sue Scheff: Florida Gang Reduction

Florida Gang Reduction organization was formed to help reduce gangs in Florida. This Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan for communities to develop specific solutions to dramatically reduce gang membership and gang-related activities by:

• Empowering youth to lead productive gang-free lives;
• Improving law enforcement suppression efforts; and,
• Addressing rehabilitation and re-entry issues.

The Strategy calls for the formation of seven Gang Reduction Task Forces throughout the state of Florida.

The prevalence of gangs and gang-related violence in Florida is a growing threat to the safety and security of all Floridians. Law enforcement alone cannot stop the threats to public safety brought about by gang violence. In order to achieve real impact in the reduction and deterrence of gang-related crime and violence, targeted response must involve the active engagement of local and state leaders from the faith-based community, education, prevention and intervention organizations, the business community, criminal justice, government, and other concerned citizens.

Learn more at http://www.floridagangreduction.com/

Sue Scheff: Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost, One Byte at a Time

Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost, One Byte at a Time
By Mary Branson, Jack Branson and Taylor LeBaron

At age fourteen, Taylor LeBaron was nearly 300 pounds. He had difficulty just getting to the mailbox without becoming short of breath. A chubby kid from birth who was prone to obesity, Taylor allowed his weight to skyrocket through mindless 'whatever' eating and his sedentary techie lifestyle. But a membership to the Y, a keen imagination, and an indomitable spirit changed all that.

Approaching proper eating and weight loss as he would a new video game, Taylor made fitness into a fun challenge with his creation of THE ULTIMATE FITNESS GAME (UFG)—a method of tracking calories, avoiding pitfalls, overcoming obstacles, and working out by following hard-andfast rules that literally helped him shed half of his body weight in a matter of a year and a half.

Cutting Myself in Half is Taylor's motivational strategy guide to THE ULTIMATE FITNESS GAME.Taylor shows kids who are currently where he was that weight loss and fitness are within reach . . . one workout, one calorie, one 'byte' at a time.

Order on Amazon today!

Sue Scheff: Teen Moms - 16 and Pregnant

Parenting today can be one of the most difficult jobs any adult will have. "Adult" being the operative word, when a teenager has a child it can be even more stressful and complicated.

16 and Pregnant, which airs on MTV and is hosted by Dr. Drew, will give you a birds-eye view of teenagers having babies. From deciding on whether to keep the baby, to giving birth, 16 and Pregnant will take you inside the lives of girls living through the difficult process being pregnant and having a baby.

In 16 and Pregnant, you will see a variety of girls with a variety of decisions. What works best for them, and what is best for their child. Will the father be involved, or does he want to be involved?

These teens learn that being pregnant means having to grow up very fast. The new challenges they face, the financial responsibilities compounded with the emotional roller coaster ride of having a baby and still being a child (teen).

What about school? What choices will they make? 16 and Pregnant will take you through the lives of several young teens and definitely can be an eye-opener to those that believe that having a baby is easy. From going out to party to growing up real fast, being pregnant is a responsibility that is not easy.

These are expecting teens experiencing the consequences of unprotected sex and learning about the unexpected challenges of being pregnant raising a baby.

Be an educated parent, talk to your teens about sex. Talk to your kids period.

Watch the trailer and read more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Sexual Assault Awareness Week (Feb 22-25)

Sexual Assault Awareness Week: February 22-25, 2010


Sponsored by Georgia Southern University's Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Sexual Assault Prevention Advocates (SAPA)

Sadly this is a subject that all parents need to be aware of and their teens need to be educated on. Teen sexual abuse is not prejudice. Whether you believe in a very safe area, or go to an excellent school or college, learning about sexual assault and abuse is a difficult topic but necessary to learn about.

Joni Poole, currently 18 years old, is a survivor of a sexual assault and rape. She is a hero and a voice for those that are suffering silently. She testified against her rapist and put him away. Joni Poole created Sexual Abuse, Assault and Rape Awareness (S.A.A.R.A.) organization following her horrific experiences. She was also featured in my Teens That Inspire series.


Joni Poole has been invited to be the guest speaker for Sexual Assault Prevention Advocates on Thursday 7:30 pm, February 25th, 2009 at Russell Union Rotunda at Georgia Southern University. Learn more.

Read more about this event.