By Cecily Barnes
The Saratoga Union School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the distribution of an informational hotline number for kids at last Tuesday's board meeting. The number, organized by county supervisor Diane McKenna's office, offers 24-hour information and referral for kids dealing with anything from health problems to abuse to depression.
Trustees gave the thumbs up, so long as distribution of the number follows the districts guidelines.
"We had to follow our policy that distribution of numbers have to either be through the parents, our counselor or through the Changes/Family Life program," explained Superintendent Mary Gardner.
It was determined that the "24-7 LINE" would be sent home in Redwood's parent newsletter, as well as made available through Redwood's counselor Nina Whitcanack. The number will also be distributed during Redwood's Family Life curriculum.
"[Board members] were all in support of it," said Gardner. "They felt that kids needed to have access to support numbers."
The "24-7 LINE" was put together by McKenna's office, following McKenna's determination that the creation of an information line for kids was a high-priority goal.
"There are all kinds of numbers kids can call out in the county," said Katie Ryan, policy analyst for McKenna's office, "but we've created this new line...where kids can call and be patched into existing resources in the county."
"The motto behind this is, 'One call, always a human voice,'" explained Ryan. "Kids will make one call, and there will always be someone there to talk to them."
"24-7 LINE" operators will be volunteers through the nonprofit organization CONTACT. Each volunteer will have completed 50 hours of training, and an additional three focusing specifically on working with teens.
The hotline will target kids age 8 to 18. So far, it has been funded by volunteers and Santa Clara County Social Services Agency.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, December 4, 1996.
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