ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors start with a case study that will take one through the strategies, as they leave theory behind and focus on the more intimate action steps of this important work. The authors show how early childhood experiences, including repeated rejection, abandonment, abuse, and neglect, impact brain development and the ability of youth to self-regulate, to form trusting relationships, and to feel cared for and valued. They know relationship is crucial in helping youth navigate through their many barriers and cope with feelings of marginalization and exclusion. The authors argue that a harm reduction approach can be more effective in engaging youth and getting more genuine buy-in for accepting supports and services. They learn to focus on strengths rather than highlighting deficits and reinforcing the profound sense of failure of high-risk youth. The authors also argue that an understanding of resiliency can assist in making service planning and connections more meaningful.
