RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 1

Leona L. Eggert and Liela J. Nicholas, DevelopersA Peer Group Approach to Building Life SkillsA Peer Group Approach to Building Life Skills

YoutYouthh

Funded by the National Institutes of Health: NIDA, NIMHand the Dept. of Education, Safe & Drug Free Schools

Leona L. Eggert and Liela J. Nicholas, Leona L. Eggert and Liela J. Nicholas, DevelopersDevelopers

A Peer Group Approach to Building Life Skills

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 2

Three Types of Prevention Programs:

SelectiSelectiveve

ServeHigh Risk Groups

Indicated

Target:High-Risk Individuals

UniversUniversalal

ServeEveryone

inPopulation

IndicatIndicateded

ServeHigh Risk Individual

sLow Risk High Risk

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

What is IndicatedIndicated Prevention?

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 3

RY is an ‘‘IndicatedIndicated’’ prevention program for

‘‘high risk studentshigh risk students,’,’ who evidence risk factors

in four critical areas: School Peers

Personal Family

What is RY?

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 4

School Peers

Personal Family

RY Program Strategies

RY prevention program strategies address the risk factors in each of

the four key areas:

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 5

1.1. Setting normsSetting norms for: for: attendance,attendance, achievement, achievement, drug use at drug use at school and school and mood management mood management

2. 2. EstablishingEstablishing an adult and peer an adult and peer network of supportnetwork of support for all for all

3.3. Fostering school bondingFostering school bonding and and engagement in school activitiesengagement in school activities

School System Strategies

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 6

Personal Strategies1. Skills Training

– setting goals, decision making– giving and receiving feedback

– interpersonal skills 2. Self-monitoring – school attendance, grades – moods and drug use3. School Engagement – safe and drug-free social activities

– engaging in school activities

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 7

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

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 8

Family Strategies

1. Getting active parentalconsent for student’senrollment in RY class

2. Parent support of RY goals 3. Enhancing RY teacher/

parent communication 4. Sending home positive

messages about RY student

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 9

RY Program Goals

1. Increase school performance

2. Decrease drug involvement

3. Decrease suicide risk behaviors

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 10

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

2. Taught by an RY Co. trained teacher who2. Taught by an RY Co. trained teacher who excels in working with high-risk youth excels in working with high-risk youth

3. Is limited to a 10 – 12 student class size3. Is limited to a 10 – 12 student class size4. Focuses on skills training within the 4. Focuses on skills training within the

context of adult and peer support context of adult and peer support

The The RY ClassRY Class

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 11

RY Curriculum RY Curriculum UnitsUnits

1. Getting Started 1. Getting Started ― ― First 10 DaysFirst 10 Days2. Self-Esteem Enhancement2. Self-Esteem Enhancement3. Decision Making3. Decision Making4.4. Personal Control Personal Control5.5. Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Communication

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 12

RY StudentsA 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 25th %-ile for absences

& have a GPA < 2.3 or

a precipitous drop in grades, OR ... have a prior dropout status, or are referred by school personnel &

meet 1 or more of the first three criteria

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 13

RY Components & RY Components & OutcomesOutcomes

IncreasedPersonal

Competenciesand

IncreasedSocial Support

Resources

RY Teacher Support

RY Leader Support

Peer Group Support

RY Skills Training

Monitoring

School Bonding & Healthy

Social Activities

IncreasedSchoolSchool

PerformancePerformance

DecreasedDrug Drug

InvolvementInvolvement

DecreasedSuicide RiskSuicide RiskBehaviorsBehaviors

Program Components Mediators Outcomes

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 14

Program Goal 1: To Increase School Performance

OOUUTTCCOOMMEESS

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. controlsRY Leader support influenced increases, whereas peer group support had no effect

Demonstrated results for RY include:

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 15

Program Goal 2: To Decrease Drug Involvement

OOUUTTCCOOMMEESS

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 useRY Leader support influenced decreased drug involvement

Demonstrated results for RY include:

RYTM Inc. Redmond, WA 16

Program Goal 3: To Decrease Suicide Risk Behaviors

Demonstrated results for RY include:OOUUTTCCOOMMEESS

80% 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 youths’ sense of personal control

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 17

SAMHSA awarded RY ‘Model Program’ status for drug abuse prevention.The SPRC named RY a ‘promising The SPRC named RY a ‘promising program’ for preventing youth program’ for preventing youth suicidal behaviors and many suicidal behaviors and many related risks.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 Youth is an award-winning, program with proven efficacy in helping high-risk youth achieve in school and decrease drug use, anger, depression & suicidal behaviors.

RYTM Inc, Redmond, WA 18

Toge

ther

we

can

mak

e a

diffe

renc

e by

reco

nnec

ting

yo

uth