byLaura Garcia, BA, LCDC

Adelaida F. Hernández, MA, LCDC

A Peer Group Approach to Building Life Skills

What is Indicated Prevention?

Three Types of Prevention Programs ●-----------------●------------------●

Universal Serve

Everyone in Population

IndicatedServe High

Risk Individuals

Selective Serve High

Risk Groups

LOW RISK HIGH RISK

Potential high school dropouts are a known group of high-risk youth.

What is RY?

RY is an “Indicated”Prevention Program for

HIGH RISK STUDENTSWho evidence risk factors in four critical areas:

*School *Peers*Personal *Family

RY Program Strategies

RY Prevention ProgramStrategies Address the Risk Factors

In each of the four key areas:

*School *Peers*Personal *Family

School Risk Factors

● Negative view of school experience

● Norms of skipping and ATOD use at school

● Poor teacher-student relationships

● Low access to help

● Non-participation in school activities

Individual Risk Factors

● Impulsive decision-making; weak coping skills

● Low self-worth; deviant self-image

● Uncontrolled emotions; 30-40% screen in at suicide risk

● Poor interpersonal and social skills

Peer Risk Factors

● Peer group network engaged in deviant behaviors

● Peer skip and use drugs

● Peers lack personal goals related to school achievement, attendance

● Teen is susceptible to negative peer influences

Family Risk Factors

● Family distress; serious conflicts

● Poor family/school connections

● Unclear/unfair rules; Coercive parenting

● Parental drug use/abuse; unconventional drug use norms

School System Strategies

1. Setting Norms for: attendance, achievement, drug use at school and mood management

2. Establishing an adult and peer network of support for all

3. Fostering school bonding and engagement in school activities

Family Strategies

1. Getting active parental consent for student’s enrollment in RY class

2. Parent support for RY goals

3. Enhancing RY teacher/parent communication

4. Sending home positive messages about RY student

Individual Strategies

1.Skills Training * setting goals, decision-making

* giving and receiving feedback* interpersonal skills

2.Self-monitoring* school attendance, grades

* moods and drug use

3.School Engagement* safe and drug-free social activities* engaging in school activities

Peer Group Strategies

1. Norm setting in RY class to commit to the program goals

2. A positive peer group; giving each other support and help

3. Group belonging in RY class

RY Students

A search of the school’s roster using the researched criteria below will create a list of at risk students.

Find students who:

► are behind in credits for grade level► are in the top 25%-ile for absences &► have a GPA <2.3, or a precipitous drop in grades, OR…► have a prior drop-out status, or► are referred by school personnel & meet one or more of the first three criteria

RY Students are…

Invited, NOT assigned

Richly diverse group☼ males & females☼ grades 9-12☼ different social groups☼ varying maturity levels ☼ varying “disconnected” levels

The RY Class

1. Meets daily- or on a block schedule ► for a full semester ► as part of the high school curriculum ► is taken for credit and graded

2. Taught by an RY Co. trained teacher who excels in working with high-risk youth

3. Is limited to a 10-12 student class size

4. Focuses on skills training within the context of adult and peer support

RY Program Goals

1. Increased school performance

2. Decrease drug involvement

3. Decrease suicide risk behaviors

RY Components & OutcomesProgram Components Mediators Outcomes

IncreasedPersonal

CompetenciesAnd

IncreasedSocial Support

Resources

RY Leader Support

Peer Group Support

RY Skills Training

Monitoring

School Bonding & Healthy

Social Activities

Increased School Performance

Decreased Drug Involvement

Decreased Suicide Risk

Behavior

RY Curriculum Units

1.Getting Started-First 10 Days

2. Self-Esteem Enhancement

3. Decision Making

4.Personal Control

5. Interpersonal Communication

Program Goal 1:To Increase School Performance

Demonstrated results for RY include:

● 18% in GPA in all classes (6% for controls)

● 7.5 % in number of credits earned (24% for controls)

● Absences curbed (increased for controls)

● 14% lower dropout rate vs. controls

● RY Leader support influenced increases, whereas peer

group support had no effect

Program Goal 2:To Decrease Drug Involvement

Demonstrated results for RY include:

● 7% in drug involvement (14% for controls)

● 50 % in hard drug use (45% for controls)

● 48% in drug use control problems & neg.

consequences (3% for controls)

● Curbed progression of alcohol & other drug use

● RY Leader support influenced decreased drug

involvement

Program Goal 3:To Decrease Suicide Risk Behaviors

Demonstrated results for RY include:

● 80% in suicidal behaviors (80% for control group

who got same crisis help/support)

● 75 % in depression & hopelessness (24% for

controls)

● 48% in anger control problems (3% for controls)

● 38% perceived stress (10% for controls)

● RY Leader & peer group support influenced the above

decreases by enhancing the youth’s sense of personal control

Reconnecting YouthAward-Winning Program

● SAMHSA awarded RY “Model Program” status for drug abuse prevention. ● The SRC named RY a “promising program” for preventing youth suicidal behaviors and many related risks.

● DOE, the White House, NIDA, NIMH, Prevention Strategies and others have recognized RY as one of the U. S.’s top 10 research-based prevention efforts with proven success.

Reconnecting YouthPrevention Program

Together we can make adifference by

reconnecting youth.