Youth Service Network names new director

The Daily Inter Lake

Joan Schmidt has been named the new director of the Youth Service Network.

She replaced Nancy Bowman, who retired after serving in the position since 2001 when the network was formed.

Schmidt has a master's degree in clinical psychology and 30 years experience as a mental health professional. She has worked as a child advocate in community mental health, child protective services and nonprofit organizations.

Schmidt said she intends to carry on Bowman's work including programs such as an upcoming workshop entitled "Substance Abuse and Sex, A Deadly Mix for Young Women," which Bowman helped organize.

The Youth Service Network also became involved in the community's concern about increasing suicide rates.

"We got a three-year grant from the Health Department for youth suicide prevention," she said.

She said she plans to work to develop a coalition and county policy for suicide prevention and get a process established for identifying children at risk in junior high and high schools.

Schmidt hopes to give schools the tools to make appropriate intervention and referrals for students identified as suicidal or depressed.

The Youth Service Network formed in 2001 as a collaborative union whose membership includes all the agencies and providers who work with at-risk youths as well as school districts, law enforcement, District Court and the county attorney.