Miles City Schools Welcome AWAREBack to Archives
By Tim Pray

There is a chance that-on any given weekday morning-you can walk into the halls of Washington Middle School in Miles City and hear the sounds of a washing machine from the Home Economics room. Further, the chances are good that it's Bill Hill, a TST for the Community Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Support program who is washing a spare set of clothing for a youngster who just may need them later during the course of the day.

"He has a real concern for the AWARE kids that are enrolled…" says Jon Plowman, principal of the school, "…it's not just a job, and you can tell that."

For Hill, along with his Miles City colleagues at other area schools, TSTs Beth Tinnell, Joe Jennell, Caleb Samuelson, and TSC Anna Rapson, the job of building trust with both the student bodies and the teachers of the schools is an absolutely crucial element in building a program that works.

AWARE's Miles City school presence is manifested in two programs: CBPR&S, a community-based program designed to provide youth with social skill building activities and mentoring throughout all venues of the community, including school. The other, the CSCT program, works with youth strictly within the setting of the school, and, within that setting, educators and AWARE staff focus on providing youth with all the tools necessary to be successful in their education, whether that means some form of mentoring, therapy, or any other sort of intervention.

Jeff Regan, AWARE's service administrator for both programs, set out in Miles City with the goal of getting a handle on the needs of the community and its youth, particularly in the schools. He met with CEO Larry Noonan, and the two decided to run a "needs assessment" throughout the community. It became clear that the schools were in need of qualified staff trained to connect with youth that-from time to time-struggle within the classroom.

‘Win-win-win situation'

So, while Jeff, Larry, and the staff assembled in Miles City were confident of their ability to provide just the services that would create a win-win-win situation, the schools were cautiously optimistic. With the school environment nationwide walking on eggshells, it would stand to reason that anyone charged with assuring the quality of education, safety, and equal opportunities to staff, student bodies, and parents would walk into the proposition very carefully. Right off the bat, though, AWARE's presence in the school was welcomed.

"Last year was an experiment year," says Plowman. "We had some pretty tough kids." Hill, though, who has had extensive experience with children, jumped right in and immediately made himself and AWARE's services a resource that can't be argued with. "A big part of it is trust," Plowman continues. "He has filled the role of a mentor to these kids." While he's connecting with the youth, he's aware of his role within the school, keeping us all in the loop, and we continue to do the same for him.

For any organization in Eastern Montana, there's a certain level of autonomy that is required to succeed. Many people visiting Montana for the first time and traveling from the western to the eastern parts of the state are struck by the difference in topography, climate, culture, economy, and social norms. Any AWARE program operating in such a different climate, and so far away from the comforts of headquarters in Anaconda would require an unquestionably great team of staff and decision makers. Jeff Regan keeps in touch with the appropriate service directors and, of course, Noonan in the interest of touching base.

"Carter Anderson, Mike Kelly, and Jaci Noonan have been extremely supportive," Regan says. "Carter helps with any CSCT questions, Mike does the same with Support Services, and Jaci is an all-around help. She knows what works in Eastern Montana."

Regan is quick to point out, though, that it is the team of TSTs and TSCs in Miles City that have built the environment of trust in the Miles City school system.

Washington Middle School, Highland Park Elementary, Custer County High School, and Garfield Elementary School are all working with the Miles City AWARE staff, and the relationship is working out beautifully in each of the schools.

"They definitely enhance things," according to Lorie Huffman, principal at the Garfield School. "The AWARE staff have been willing to tweak some things to make it better for everyone, creating an environment in which everyone is asking ‘what can help the kids?'"

As the AWARE staff continues to make connections throughout the community in Miles City, those being served, school administrators, parents, and teachers will continue to speak highly of the relationships that have been built and continue to thrive.

"Nothing is better to show how well someone does than saying ‘hey…look at these results!' says Huffman. "The teachers have learned by word of mouth to trust this situation,"

Jon Plowman adds, "AWARE provides a great service, and if anyone wanted to call me, I'd tell them that immediately."