Peacemakers School Suspension Program
Goal
CARY’s Youth Violence Prevention Program includes a social cognitive program using social skills, problem solving and anger management training, as well as individual counseling and case management, parent training and service learning with the goal of reducing school based violence. Participant students include those who are abusive, intimidating and assaultive of others, and those who are insubordinate and disruptive in class. Selected students will be engaged in various elements of the program for a full 12 month period of time. Six groups will be organized to operate consistent with the six week grading periods. Approximately 10 students are assigned to each of the six week groups. Program units include:
Group Skills Training
Topics include Violence Risks and Myths, Making Positive Choices, Anger Triggers and Controls, Conflict Resolution, Aggression and Bullying, Dealing with Criticism, Communication and Assertiveness and Negotiation Skills.
Service Learning
In addition to the skills training, students are also involved in at least one service learning project on campus. Students may be engaged in generating public information on campus for drug abuse prevention, violence prevention or other related projects where they have identified a problem or issue and then develop a strategy and project to address the problem or issue.
Individual Counseling
Youth Advisors will assist students in establishing behavioral goals, making positive choices, learning from experience and achieving appropriate relationships with others. Counseling may include mentoring, role modeling, homework, behavioral experiments and self management training. Active listening, feedback and appropriate confrontation will be used.
Parent Group Training
Parent support groups will be organized and based on the “Parenting Wisely” model program. Skills training using a video rich program will prompt parents to choose scenarios relevant to them and to resolve situations individually.
Student Transitioning
The A Glimmer of Hope Foundation grant provides for a Transition Specialist staff position to assist students in setting behavioral objectives and consulting with teachers on behavioral plans for the students’ successful return from the ALC to the middle schools.