We are happy to welcome you and your youth into our Middle School and Teen (MS&T) program. It is the mission of Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services to provide a quality program that meets the needs of youth and parents, to support the military life style, promote character values and reduce conflicts between parental responsibilities and unit mission requirements.
The goal of this Parent Information is to share with you our goals, policies, procedures and other information. Please take time to read the information thoroughly. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call or visit us. The experience of your youth can be enhanced through a strong parent staff partnership.
It is the goal of the MS&T Program to give each youth opportunity to...
Middle and High School Youth: Young people have the need to experience being members of a society, rather than apart from it. This sense of belonging is first learned from family. As young people mature, this sense of being connected expands to include many other people. Teens enjoy hanging out with their friends; leisure time is important, and peer pressure is paramount. In youth services we offer programs that enhance self esteem, promote a healthy lifestyle, and encourage good citizenship while providing a time and place for social interaction.
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: after school until 1900,
Fridays: after school until 2000
On select Fridays the center will be open for Teens until 2200
Holiday, Spring and Summer Camps: The facility will be open for camps from 0800–1200 and regular programming will begin at 1200.
Saturday hours are 1300-2200 (teens only after 2000).
Fort Bliss Child and Youth Services is committed to safety. Our programs operate in accordance with Department of the Army regulations and policies. These regulations are intended to establish minimum standards in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of youth. We are annually inspected by the Regional Child and Youth Evaluation Team and then certified by the Department of Army. Our programs are also inspected by our local proponents for Health, Safety, and Fire on a regular basis as part of the Installation Child and Youth Evaluation Team. MS&T staff, parents and youth also have an on-going evaluation that is the Boys and Girls Club Commitment to Quality assessment. This assessment assures parents of a safe and healthy environment, and consistent program improvement and quality.
Medication: Medication can be kept with the youth in the Youth Plex, provided the appropriate form for self-medication is on file and signed by a physician. Completion of DA Form 5225-R by parent will authorize staff to oversee medication dispensation. Youth administer medication in the presence of a staff member unless life or death emergency requires immediate action. Teens will not need documentation unless they are in full time program. Prescription and non-prescription medications are not dispensed by staff for teenagers.
Emergency Evacuation Plan: In the unlikely event that a site would have to close unexpectedly, for actual fire, bomb threat, terrorists, or severe weather, we have a contingency plan to move youth to one of three safe locations until such time you can be notified and pick up your youth.
Staff Certifications: MS&T direct care staff is composed of Child & Youth Services Program Assistants (CYPA). Each has had extensive background checks, and training in: age-appropriate developmental and recreational activities; environments; guidance techniques; youth health, sanitation, and nutrition; administering medication; safety and emergency procedures; child abuse identification, reporting, and prevention; special needs awareness; CPR and first-aid; regulations and SOPs; and parent/public relations. Each receives 24 clock hours of training per year.
Parents are always welcome to drop in on our program and visit. We encourage your participation in our family events.
Middle School and Teen Program (MS&T): An afternoon program that offers a variety of activities for youth enrolled in middle and high school and is free of charge. Fort Bliss is located within the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD). We transport youth from all middle and high schools that are either on post or close to post. We follow the EPISD calendar. Working parents whose children do not attend the schools serviced by our programs in the EPISD can request a "Working Parent Transfer" to a listed school through Pupil Services.
MS&T offers full-day camps during Christmas Holiday, Spring break, and Summer vacation for a nominal fee. Camps operate Monday - Friday from 0800 to 1200.
Teen Lounge: A positive place for High School students to "hang out" and socialize with youth their own age.
Open Recreation: A wide variety of activities are available from pool to video games, board games to the snack bar. Or just come to relax, talk with your friend or meet new friends. There is always an activity taking place.
Computer Lab: The computer lab has a wide range of software and internet access. Our experienced instructor will show youth how to utilize software and assist in setting up an email account.
Homework Lab: A quiet place where youth can complete their assignments with assistance from staff. (This is not a tutoring program). Computers are available as a learning resource or research tool.
Team Sports: CYS offers a variety of team sports during the year. Open to all youth ages 3 - 18 (3-5 year old soccer teams)
Clubs: MS&T is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America and the 4 H Club. We use the material to incorporate diverse program in the arts, health, and life skills, character and leadership development, education and career development. Clubs are special interest groups that youth may join which are facilitated by staff and lead by the youth. Some examples of club themes are reading, science, drama, journalism, fitness, cooking and the environment. These clubs will vary based on youth's expressed interest. The MS&T program also offers in conjunction with the Texas Cooperative Extension office, a 4-H club and projects:
Smart Moves (Skill, Mastery and Resistance Training) is a prevention/education program addressing the related problems of drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity. Torch Club: Chartered small group leadership and service clubs for middle school youth. Power Hour: Home work help and tutoring provided every day after school. Students earn points for completing homework or an extra work. Points can be redeemed for gifts at the end of the each month. Photography and Art Club: Students learn skills for digital photography, have option to enter local and national competitions, learn everything there is to photography. Students learn a variety of skills using pastels, paints, watercolor and stencils, students have the option to enter local and national competitions. Keystone Teen Council: Students plan and execute activities; students are involved in community service and outreach programming. National Youth of the Year
Field Trips: Field trips are scheduled events. On many early release days and full-days our youth will go on field trips. Please note the field-trip depart and return times on the monthly activity schedule. Parents need to be aware of the fact that we are sometimes late returning from field trips through circumstances that are beyond the control of the staff. Parents are encouraged to accompany their youth or volunteer in the supervision of others. Admission fees/lunches for our volunteers are provided. During early release school days, field trips are published in advance and limited to on-post sites such as the bowling center, Kelly Park, Replica Pool, Center Library, etc. We will return to the Youth Plex by 1900. During a full-day program, field trip times and days vary according to the published schedule each week. We may depart as early as 0900 and return as late as 2200. Youth enrolled in camp programs must be signed in before 0900 each day as buses may depart after this time for field trips and youth may not be left unattended at the site.
Youth Plex, 568-KIDS: the Middle School and Teen program, Bldg. 195 at Chaffee and Doniphan Rd. picks youth up after school from Ross Middle School and Austin High School. We also have special pick up times for Ross Middle School and Basset Middle School at 4:15 pm for those youth involved in tutoring, and again at 5:30 pm for those student involved in extra-curricular activities.
Children/youth of active duty military, APF and NAF civilian personnel, reservists and DoD contractors.
Annual Registration & Enrollment Policy: Use of Child & Youth Services Programs (CDS, SAS, or MS&T) requires an active CYS pass. To obtain passes, you will need to call the Central Enrollment and Registration (CER) Office at 568-4374 to schedule an appointment. Registration can be accomplished at CER, Bldg 1743, telephone number 568-4374. An annual CYS pass will be issued for each registered child/youth in the Child & Youth Services Management System. There is an annual requirement to update your registration file before your expiration date. Your pass is transferable from installation to installation. Please update your enrollment and registration forms whenever your phone number, emergency designee, youth's health requirements or service needs change.
The MS&T program is not responsible for lost or misplaced items. Lost and found areas is designated for the collection and return of lost items and will be held 60 days before being donated to Operation Santa. Items of greater value, i.e., watches, wallets, walkmans, Ipods etc. will be turned over to the Military Police.
MS&T personnel will discipline in a consistent manner based on an understanding of individual needs and behaviors of youth at their developmental levels. Discipline will be constructive in nature, including such methods as time-out, redirection, and non-participation in an activity. Our goal is to guide and direct youth toward acceptable behavior. Youth engaging in persistent displays of inappropriate behavior will be documented on an incident/accident form and discussed with parent to establish an intervention program.
Parents will be contacted and asked to remove their youth if the youth becomes unruly, uncontrollable, or if his/her conduct is such that it interferes with or harms other youth (fighting) and does not respond to adult authority.