Issue link: http://uwashington.uberflip.com/i/106618
disagreements over which is more appropriate; and (6) youth often get information about alcohol, drugs and sex from older siblings, cousins and friends, rather than from accurate, ageappropriate sources and programs. Some common themes emerged from discussion groups in regards to pre-teen health in Native communities. These included the importance of teaching and being a role model, teaching academic skills, and creating opportunities for youth to explore and identify their skills and passions. This is a very important time for parenting and adult mentoring, as pre-teens are generally still willing to listen to adults. As youth move into teen years, they look more to peers as role models and mentors. Participants also noted that children are physically maturing earlier, which presents its own challenges. Age-appropriate activities are evolving as well — what used to be appropriate for later adolescence is often appropriate for pre-teens now. Finally, discussants agreed about the importance of keeping pre-teens busy and connected to their culture and community — and giving them something to look forward to and believe in. Below are key items generated by participant discussions, grouped into concerns, challenges, strengths, needs and suggestions. Also included is a list of formal and informal promising programs and practices related to pre-teen health. CONCERNS •6th, 7th, 8th graders more vulnerable as "there is nothing for them to do." They are often excluded from activities for younger children and teens. •Some children don't have parents in their lives at a time when parental influence is critical. •Youth are becoming moms/parents at younger ages — some have two kids before graduating from high school. •Grants only last a set number of years and then programs are generally gone — damages trust and hard to sustain programs that might work. •Domestic violence, sexual assault. •Sexting is a concern. •Disproportionate number of AIAN children in the foster care system. •This age group is at high risk for drowning. •Some programs have had to create drug and alcohol programs for 10-13 year-olds; first time use reported at 8. • Older kids have younger kids inhale ("huff") gasoline because they think it's funny. •Consumption of energy drinks in excess. •Parents and families reluctant to talk about drugs/alcohol with their pre-teens. They don't want to give them ideas, feel they already know, reluctant, embarrassed. CHALLENGES •Communities experience many losses, deaths, violence — trauma is difficult for youth this age. •If not connected to culture, can lose youth — they may move away from their culture as they enter teen years if not strongly connected to community, tribe and culture. •Communities lost teachers (ancestors) due to government practices — hard to bring back cultural teachings. • Leadership is not always responsive to needed changes. •Peer influence can be positive if peers are making healthy choices and a challenge if peers are engaging in troubling behaviors. •Pre-teens often want to hang out with teens but the teens don't want that. •Many youth are babysitting siblings, cousins, etc. They want opportunities to be with people their own age, engage in peer activities, and have access to good role models/ mentors. Families •Parents may not be up to date with technology so can't support their children in using it. •Youth may not want to talk to their parents about things their parents don't understand — e.g. bullying via technology, media, etc. •Parents need to be more educated about physical health issues than before. •Some families have low expectations for their children. Services •Need for prevention and intervention keeps getting pushed to lower and lower ages — used to be high school, now it's 5th-6th grade or lower. •Tension between programs that work with all ages and those that are age-specific — which is more appropriate? It depends. •May be getting information about alcohol, drugs, sex, etc from older siblings, cousins and friends rather than from more accurate, age-appropriate info from programs. Summary Report: April 4-5, 2012 15