The 2017 Wellness Annual Report

The Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) began in 2006 at Boca Raton Community Middle School with no students and it has now served over 1100 student-caregivers from grade 6 - 12th along with their families. The CYP is the first in the United States and is recognized in other states and has also received national media attention including CNN Top Ten Hero in 2012. Chris Miller, now in high school was Diane Sawyer's "Person of the Week". In 2016, Jane Brody of the New York Times published an article about the CYP. We are especially pleased that this year of 43 active CYP seniors, 43 graduated, 38 are going to post-secondary education, 4 are going into the military and one into the work force.

At the conclusion of the 2015-16 academic year, the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), under the auspices of the American Association of Caregiving Youth^® (AACY) and in partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County, was serving 563 middle and high school caregiving youth.  The majority (75%) of CYP participants attend Title 1 schools. They primarily enroll through an eligibility process in seven middle schools. As they geographically move or progress to high school, and wish to voluntarily continue to receive support, the CYP offers workshops in high schools to offer planning and support into their transitioning to adult years. Enrollment is rolling so students either self-refer or are referred by school staff and/or other organizations throughout the calendar year.

Needs-driven support services were provided in school, out of school and at home. Caregiving youth stay in the CYP through high school graduation as long as they continue in that role and wish to participate.  CYP activities continue throughout the calendar year. 

• In school – middle school sixth grade students participated in Skills Building/support group six week sessions while seventh and eighth grade students met three times during the year for a total of 572 student session hours,  90% agreed or strongly agreed that they are using what they learned to help them in school and to manage anger; 996 individual student contacts with CYP staff occurred during twice monthly Lunch and Learn sessions; high school workshop groups were held with 517 student sessions and a pizza party  was held by Boca Leadership high school group to ease the transition from middle to high school; a high school graduation celebration was held at Bethesda West Hospital and five scholarships were awarded as well as two students received an AACY/Polen Capital George Snow Scholarship and one student became a Viner Scholar.
• In the home – during this year alone, 57 initial home assessments were made along with 48 visits to follow up with families.  Many partner agencies work with AACY and provide their services that also strengthen families; 15 students received academic support including tutoring, and computers - now more than 170 CYP students have received computers.  Additionally, 152 students received back to school supplies to help level their playing field – after all, everyone needs tools for success!
• Out of school - Camp Treasure in the Fall and in the Spring was enjoyed by 52 students plus 32 students attended Reunion Camp held on the campus at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). swimming and on field days as well as a Whole Foods cooking class and many other resources and support. Families received 234 home delivered Thanksgiving meals and more than 300 participated in the Holiday Celebration where family portraits were taken and students and siblings not only received gifts but selected those to give to family through the Holiday Shoppe provided by corporate partners.