Dear Dennis:

Do you still have groups in this area? If so, I'd like some references please. I am the school social worker at a large public high school with many truancy issues. I would like to get a speaker out to the school to speak with parents. Please let me know what, if any, resources are out there in the community. Many thanks. — Ethel

Hi Ethel:

It saddens me when I receive letters from so many communities that are without a group such as B.I.L.Y. Since we are all volunteers and no paid employees, we must rely on obtaining parents who are willing to make that commitment to starting a B.I.L.Y. group, and that is not easily acquired. Although we know that the need is so great in today's world with the escalation of the drug issues, crime, education, and economical problems within the family structures, getting parents to take the plunge has been our biggest hurdle.

Since we receive no funding and rely solely on donations, we do not have the availability to send staff out to the various communities outside of California to train and get a group underway. Some of our out-of-state groups were able to raise the funds after first creating a core group of parents that were willing to commit to getting a B.I.L.Y. group started. Then I was able to travel to their states and spend a few days in training and be there for the opening.

Our website has a section that talks about how to get a B.I.L.Y. group started (see Start A Group). I would love to travel through all the states and visit the various schools to talk about B.I.L.Y., but we do not have the funds to provide that service. Unfortunately, we do not have a group in or near you at this time. Keep an eye on the website and hopefully someday we will get a response from a group of parents interested in starting a B.I.L.Y. group in Maryland.

Thank you so much for your interest, and I just wish I could have provided a better response. — Dennis