Episode Summary:
In this episode of Inspire Shasta, hosts Maggie Joyce and Jenn Cobb explore the vital work happening across Shasta County to combat youth tobacco and vape use. Debbie Burkett, Tobacco Compliance Specialist at Shasta County Public Health, shares what it’s like to visit more than 200 retailers across the county, educate business owners, and work alongside law enforcement to keep illegal tobacco products out of kids’ hands. Debbie breaks down new laws, compliance checks, and a proposed new local tobacco retail license in the city of Redding. Then we hear from youth advocates Audrey Bull and Kaitlyn Wendland, two inspiring young leaders who’ve grown up in Shasta County and stepped up as powerful voices for prevention. They share their lived experiences, what they’ve seen in local schools, how peer pressure impacts youth, and the power of youth-led education and policy change—including speaking at Redding City Council meetings.

💬 Topics Covered:

• Tobacco and vape product laws in California, including flavored product bans
• What it’s like doing tobacco compliance checks with local retailers and law enforcement
• Why a local tobacco retail license could change the game for prevention
• Firsthand stories from students about vaping in school bathrooms, peer pressure, and intervention
• The role of personal growth classes and early education in prevention
• Youth advocacy and how it influenced city policy
• Shifting the norm: making it “cool” to care about your health
• Moving from punishment to education-based responses for youth who vape
• Advice from young people on what messages and methods actually reach their peers

🔥 Memorable Quotes:

🧰 Resources & Get Involved:

• Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) – Join a passionate group of community partners working to keep youth tobacco-free (https://www.shastacounty.gov/health-human-services/page/tobacco-education-coalition)
• Contact: Debbie Burkett, Tobacco Compliance Specialist, (530) 225-3745

🙌 Final Thoughts:

Youth voice is more than valuable—it’s essential. This episode shows how education, support, and action—especially from young leaders—can shift norms, shape policy, and protect the next generation. Whether you're a parent, teacher, student, or community member, there’s a role for you in prevention.

Episode Summary:
In this enriching episode of Inspire Shasta, hosts Maggie Joyce and Jenn Cobb are joined by two passionate advocates for early childhood development: Rea McFadden, Director of Early Childhood Workforce Development at the Shasta County Office of Education, and Amanda Keefer, Program Director with Shasta Head Start.

Together, they explore the transformative power of early childhood education—what programs exist in Shasta County, how parents can choose the right fit for their family, and the long-term impact of quality preschool experiences. From school readiness and family empowerment to health screenings and access to supportive services, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone raising, teaching, or supporting young children.

🌱 Topics Covered:

• Options for early learning in Shasta County: preschool, transitional kindergarten, private and community-based care
• Choosing the right environment based on child needs, family values, and readiness
• The wide-reaching benefits of quality early education: academic, social-emotional, and lifelong
• Financial support through subsidies and eligibility beyond income thresholds
• The role of Help Me Grow Shasta in connecting families to resources
• Navigating the first days of preschool and helping children transition with confidence
• Importance of play-based learning and language-rich environments
• Screen time challenges and shifting post-pandemic developmental needs
• Collaborations that connect families to dental, vision, hearing, and developmental support

💡 Key Quotes:

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

• Shasta Head Start and California State Preschool Programs
• SCOE Early Childhood Services
• Help Me Grow Shasta
• Quality Counts North State
• Local Child Care Planning Council
• Vision and hearing screenings via Lions Club and UCSF
• Developmental support through Far Northern Regional Center and First 5 Shasta

🗣️ Final Thoughts:

Early childhood education is more than ABCs—it’s where children begin to build social skills, emotional regulation, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. With a wide range of choices and a strong network of community support, Shasta County families have powerful tools at their fingertips. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this conversation offers the guidance and inspiration to give every child a strong start.

🔗 Learn more:

• Shasta Head Start
• SCOE Early Childhood Services
• Help Me Grow Shasta

🎙️ Subscribe to Inspire Shasta on your favorite podcast platform and follow along as we highlight the people and programs uplifting our community’s next generation.

Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of Inspire Shasta, we dive into mental wellness in our schools. Hosts Jenn Cobb and Maggie Joyce sit down with two passionate advocates for student and staff well-being: Kelly Rizzi, Director of School and District Support at the Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE), and Pattie Bay, School Counselor at Sycamore Elementary.

Together, they explore the science behind mental health, trauma-informed practices, the Neurosequential Model of Education, restorative practices, and tangible ways to support both students and educators in navigating mental and emotional challenges.

You’ll hear inspiring stories, science-backed strategies, and practical tools that are transforming school culture across Shasta County—plus, thoughtful advice for parents, caregivers, and anyone who supports young people.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• The importance of grounding school wellness initiatives in brain science and empathy
• How SCOE supports districts through customized, responsive professional development
• The science of flipped lids, self-regulation, and classroom mini-lessons
• How schools like Cypress and Turtle Bay are implementing the Neurosequential Model of Education
• Common mental wellness challenges in students (e.g., anxiety, trauma, dysregulation)
• Tools and techniques for emotional regulation (5-4-3-2-1, safe place visualization, deep breathing)
• The power of restorative practices for both students and adults
• Advice for parents to support mental health at home, including car conversations and modeling vulnerability
• Misconceptions around youth behavior and mental health
• The value of relationships, safe adults, and helping kids build emotional vocabulary and agency

💡 Key Quotes:

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

• Neurosequential Model of Education (Dr. Bruce Perry)
• TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention)
• ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Training
• Restorative Chats & Accountability Projects
• Mini-lessons on brain science and regulation
• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

🗣️ Final Thoughts:

Mental wellness is not a one-time lesson—it’s a daily practice embedded into school culture, family dynamics, and community support. From understanding how trauma affects brain development to empowering students with regulation tools, this episode highlights how we can all play a role in creating emotionally safe and supportive environments for youth.

🔗 Learn more: Visit ShastaCOE.org.

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