# Presentation: 356785

## Youth As Leaders in Prevention

## Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies

- 763-427-5310
- 1-800-782-1878

## Regional Map

##     CSAP’s Central CAPT Region

- CSAP’s Central CAPT is located at the
- MN Institute of Public Health
- Mounds View, MN

## CAPT Mission Statement

- To bring research to practice by assisting state/jurisdictions and community-based organizations in the application of the latest research-based knowledge to their substance abuse prevention programs, practices, and policies.

## CAPT Core Prevention Services

- Repackage, transfer, and replicate science-based prevention program _models_.
- Customize, repackage, and transfer scientifically defensible prevention _best practices_.
- Customize, repackage and transfer scientifically defensible prevention _promising approaches_.

## CAPT Key Terms

_**Model Programs**_**:** Prevention programs that have been rigorously evaluated and have repeatedly demonstrated positive outcomes.

## CAPT Key Terms

_**Best Practices**_**: **Strategies, activities, or approaches which have been shown through research and evaluation to be effective in the prevention and/or delay of substance use/abuse.

## CAPT Key Terms

_**Promising Approaches**_**:** Programs which the level of certainty from available evidence is too low to support generalized conclusions, but for which there is some empirical basis for predicting that further research could support such conclusions.

## Goals

- Understand & use the major categories of youth-led prevention strategies.
- Determine & implement effective youth-led strategies to meet goals.
- Understand standards for start-up, implementation, & maintenance.
- Access resources to identify & implement effective youth-led prevention strategies.

## Module Topics

- MODULE 1: Rationale for Peer-led Prevention
- MODULE 2: Four Categories of Youth-led Prevention
- MODULE 3: Program Standards
- MODULE 4: Roundtable Discussion
- MODULE 5: Summary - Critical Ingredients

## Rationale for theEffectiveness of Peers

- Role model appropriate behavior
- Credibility regarding social information
- Model appropriate behavior outside classroom setting
- Credibility in providing normative information

## 10 Frequently Used Justificationsfor Peer Education

- Cost-effective
- Credible source of information
- Empowering for those involved
- Already established means of sharing information
- Successful

## 10 Frequently Used Justificationsfor Peer Education (continued)

- Positive role models
- Beneficial to those involved
- Acceptable when other education is not
- Reach hard to reach
- Reinforce learning

- From Turner, G. and Shepherd, J. (1999)

## Theories Used to Support Peer Education

- Social learning
- Social inoculation
- Role
- Differential association
- Subculture
- Communication of innovations

- From Turner, G. and Shepherd, J. (1999)

## Categories of Youth-led Prevention Activities

- Team/group leadership and influence
- Peer or cross-age education
- Peer intervention
- Special action groups

## Team/Group Leadership & Influence

- Select youth who lead or influence, i.e. team captains
- Train to identify strengths and improve skills
- Exert positive peer influence

## Peer or Cross-Age Education

- Select youth leaders to conduct structured educational programs
- Youth with strong commitments to healthy lifestyle behaviors
- Train youth to develop & conduct activities
- Public speaking, teen drama or improvisation, & peer tutoring

## Peer Intervention

- Peer helping, peer counseling, peer mediation
- Select youth leaders who can assist youth with problems
- Good listeners with viable helping resources
- Train to develop listening, communication, & helping skills

## Special Action Groups

- Advocacy groups, non-user groups, support groups, SADD
- Select youth with interest in the problem
- Train in specific skills for the problem

## Advocacy

- Policy reform
- Enforcement; compliance checks to reduce youth access
- Media
- School climate

## Drug-free Activities & Places

- Prom and graduation events
- Other events
- Drug-free Teen Centers

## Programmatic StandardsNational Peer Helpers Association

- Program start-up
- Planning
- Commitment
- Staffing
- Organizational structure

## Programmatic StandardsNational Peer Helpers Association

- Program implementation
- Screening and selection
- Training
- Service delivery
- Supervision

## Programmatic StandardsNational Peer Helpers Association

- Maintenance
- Evaluation
- Public relations
- Long-range planning

## Roundtable Discussion

- Team/Group Leadership
- Peer or Cross-Age Education
- Peer Intervention
- Special Action Groups

## Critical Ingredients

- Variety of opportunities to involve youth
- Selection of appropriate youth
- Behavior
- Reflection of others to be served
- Opportunity to contribute
- Ownership & involvement
- Standards & accountability

## Critical Ingredients(continued)

- Skills training
- Interactive approach (face to face interaction)
- Supportive adults
- Reflection & processing
- Sufficient  frequency & duration