The program targets youth ages 10 – 19 and their families in the Pahoa and Kea’au communities identified by the schools or other public or community referral sources as being at high risk for substance use including alcohol and tobacco, and/or violent behaviors that may negatively affect their success in school, in family life or in the community. The program also focuses on female youth who are pregnant and at risk for domestic violence, and their partners (when available). The proposal presents an intensive 10 week program of classroom and community based activities designed to foster a safe, drug free environment in the home, school and community, and support the academic achievement of the participants.
The overall goal of the program is to provide a positive experience for at risk youth and their families designed to:
- prevent and reduce violence associated with prejudice and intolerance,
- provide a positive alternative to drug use,
- increase youth’s commitment to school, and
- reduce anti-social behavior and drug use.
The utilizes an evidence based curriculum developed specifically for the cultural uniqueness of our island communities by Family Development Resources, Inc. This nationally recognized curriculum has been identified by the Office of Juvenile Justice as best practice intervention in family education.
Classroom sessions include the following core curriculum elements:
- Anger Management,
- Communication Skills,
- Child and Family Safety,
- Positive Discipline,
- Healthy Lifestyles (drug avoidance),
- Conflict Resolution
- Violence Prevention,
- Character Development,
- Individual Responsibility,
- Good Decision Making.
The curriculum focuses on teaching kindness, tolerance, empathy, patience, cooperation and respect for self and others as attitudes that lead towards success in home, school and community. Information and skills learned in the classroom sessions are complimented and reinforced through a mentoring component that pairs the student with an experienced mentor to assist the student in applying skills learned in class to practical activities in the home, school and community.
