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2nd Annual Brighter Days Conference Breakout Session II: Education/Churches | Roads of Independence PDMH Transition Program and Brighter Futures Middle School Mentorship Project

Program Date & Time:
June 10, 2025 | 12:55pm - 1:40pm
Modality:
  • In-person
Registration Fee:
Free
Additional Details
Instructional Hours:
0.75
Registration Deadline:
6/1/25 11:59 PM
Cancellation Deadline:
6/1/25 11:59 PM
Brought to you by:
Presenter(s)
Description
Part I of this breakout session will provide an overview of the Pee Dee Roads of Independence (ROI) Program. Part II: Most at-risk youth mentoring programs provide guidance to students with the goal of helping them transition into successful adulthood. Many types of mentoring programs exist nationally that are diverse in their goals and, therefore, the approaches they use. The Brighter Futures Mentoring Program is an in-school program focused on improving the life skills of students in the school’s alternative or pre-alternative school programs. An additional goal of this program is to enhance existing school efforts aimed at at-risk youth by providing an important mentoring service to schools in areas the schools deem as needed. The Brighter Futures Mentoring Program is a partnership effort involving the Darlington School District, Florence School District 1, the Families Engagement Organization, the Jonathan Foundation, and local community volunteers. A 3-year grant obtained from the SC General Assembly submitted by State House Rep. Robert Williams is providing the needed support for the mentorship program and other educational efforts associated with mental health in the Pee Dee. The Brighter Futures group mentoring program is conducted weekly at the Darlington Middle School in Darlington and the Alfred Rush Academy in Florence. The Families Engagement Organization coordinates the pilot mentoring activities. A different life skill is highlighted each week, with emphasis on life skills associated with reducing the potential for student harm to oneself and/or to others. A confidential/anonymous survey is given by school administration to identify common home problems experienced by the students that can be addressed during the mentoring sessions. The program also includes hands-on, team projects at the school’s Outdoor Engagement Center that promote practicing the life skills being taught while helping fulfill student community-service needs.

Keywords: brighter days, suicide, PDMH, Roads of Independence, mentorship project

Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the vision of Roads to Independence (ROI).
  • Identify the population served.
  • Discuss the components, catchment areas, and measurement tools.
  • Identify community partners.
  • Discuss referral pathways.
  • Discuss the diversity of mentoring programs commonly offered to youth across the country.
  • Identify the goals of the Brighter Futures Mentoring Program.
  • Discuss the approach used by the Brighter Futures Mentoring Program.
  • Review the challenges and limitations associated with student mentoring at schools.
  • Discuss volunteer opportunities within Brighter Futures Mentoring Program.
Disclosures
This conference is provided by The Jonathan Foundation in collaboration with South Carolina Department of Public Health, Pee Dee AHEC and South Carolina Department of Mental Health – Pee Dee Mental Health Center. This conference is supported by funding from The Nemec Abbott Foundation, Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation, Marion County Healthcare Foundation and The Dailey Family. Pee Dee AHEC’s conflict of interest policy requires faculty to disclose any real or apparent commercial financial affiliations related to the content of their presentations/materials. Speakers have signed a vested interest form declaring any conflict of interest in education activities. Please see individual activities for any conflicts of interest. Provisions of these educational activities by Pee Dee AHEC does not imply endorsement by Pee Dee AHEC, SCNA or ANCC of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with activities.
Credits Available
  • Social Workers
    SC Board of Social Work Examiners (Non-SW)
    Credit Statement
    This program is approved for 0.75 non-social work hours of continuing education by Pee Dee AHEC, a part of the South Carolina AHEC system, as defined by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners.
  • Registered Nurses
    SC Nurses Association
    Credit Statement

    Pee Dee AHEC (Area Health Education Center) is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by South Carolina Nurses Association an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Upon successful completion of this program, attendees will receive 0.75 contact hours.

  • Counselors/Therapists
    SC Board of Examiners for Professional Counselors
    Credit Statement
    This program is approved for 0.75 hours of continuing education by Pee Dee AHEC, a division of SC AHEC, under its accreditation by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.
  • Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES)/Master Certified Education Specialists (MCHES)
    National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
    Credit Statement
    This program has been approved by the National Commission for Health Education credentialing, Inc for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive 0.75 total Category I contact education contact hours. 
  • All other participants
    Area Health Education Consortium
    Credit Statement
    This program provides 0.075 CEUs by Pee Dee AHEC and meets South Carolina AHEC Best Practice Standards.
Locations/Participation Options
  • Florence Center
    Location:
    Florence , SC Details
    Status:
    Open
Contact(s)

If you have questions about the credits, location/video conference information, or any other details specific to this particular program, please reach out to the contact(s) below:

  • Name:
    Kimberly Morris
    Phone:
    843-777-5352
    Email:
    kimberlymorris@mcleodhealth.org
  • Name:
    Beejay Parnell
    Phone:
    843-777-5347
    Email:
    beejay.parnell@mcleodhealth.org
If you have questions related to registering or using the AHEC Learning Portal, please contact alp@scahec.net.

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