The Invisible War

I had the privilege of being invited to view this film with a friend of mine who is a female veteran. This film was played on campus by the University of Northern Iowa's Veteran's Association.  It is a must see. I was not sure what it was going into it, but by the end I was in tears. It is a documentary film about rape of soldiers in the military. This film was made to make things that normally would be hidden available for the world to hear.

• One out of every five female service members is sexually assaulted or raped during her honorable service
• It is estimated that more then half a million service men and women have been sexually assaulted since WWII
• Military sexual trauma is the leading cause of  PTSD among women veterans

Here is a video clip. If you have not seen it, I recommend it, but bring tissues.

High school drop outs increasing?

This is an interesting video on how dropouts are increasing in schools from 2010. It may be outdated, but it is very valuable information. Is it true that if the community works together as a whole most of the time it will result in positive results?

There are also some factors you can consider. When thinking about the community working as a whole to try and prevent drop outs is this a remedial approach, prosocial approach, or a integrative approach? A good example of a remedial approach would be placing students that need the extra help in a "blue room" as it is called in some locations. The youth is the problem as stated in a power point via professor Kowalski. "If you are not busy it only leads to trouble." This is where students that may need help understanding something can be aided. Prosocial the youth are naturally good. You only need to support the youth as they move towards their goal. Last but not least is integrative. This approach speaks about youth being a valuable member of the community. They are active and helpful contributors. It also involves using communication to help connect with the youth.

Here is a video that might help you to think about these three approaches to youth work.

UNI theater for children with autism

What is autism? a condition disturbing perceptions and relationships: a disturbance in psychological development in which use of language, reaction to stimuli, interpretation of the world, and the formation of relationships are not fully established and follow unusual patterns

Please take the time to watch this video...

http://www.kwwl.com/story/21228954/2013/02/17/unis-spectrum-theater-helps-kids-with-autism

How awesome that a UNI Instructor would devote her time to children with Autism.