Let’s Talk Prevention Curriculum: Building Life Skills and Resilience in Youth Lindsey KaHney Prevention specialist

NRS’ Mission Our mission is to keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets

National Runaway Safeline Services Confidential 24/7 crisis hotline Non-judgmental and non-directive Five-step, trauma-informed, solution-focused crisis intervention model Empowering the caller to make changes Language interpreter services Information and referral Conference call and message relay services available Focus is crisis intervention, but prevention comes into play too – talk to youth before running away and discuss safety and options

Digital Services 1800RUNAWAY.org: Interactive live chat Crisis forum Crisis email Texting “HELP” to 66008 Areas of information and tips for youth, parents, educators Comprehensive research –Why They Run: An in-depth look at America’s runaway youth; Runaway Youth Longitudinal Study; caller statistics and trends; and more Order free prevention and educational materials We see that youth reaching out for online services tend to be younger on average than our callers.

Home Free Program Partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc. Helps reunite runaway youth 12-17 with their families Assists runaway and homeless youth 18-21 in stabilizing themselves with supportive family members and/or preparing for self-sufficient independent living; this includes survivors of human trafficking Identify or accept referral to local supportive services Reunited over 15,000 families since 1995. In partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc., NRS reunites runaway youth, 12-17, with their families and assists runaway and homeless youth, 18-20, in stabilizing themselves with supportive family members and/or preparing for self-sufficient independent living. In recognition of healthy home environments within extended families, NRS assists sending youth to alternative living arrangements. In addition to a bus ticket, NRS provides youth and families with resources in their communities to help start the process toward long-term positive outcomes. NRS follows up to ensure the youth has returned safely and to provide additional resources. 99% of youth returned home as expected. 62% of youth are currently living with parents/guardians or other family. 77% of youth did not leave home again—65% of youth who left home again after Home Free had a history of leaving home prior to receiving services. 85% of parents reported the issues that led the youth to run were either somewhat, mostly or completely resolved one month after—90.3% reported the same level of resolution at the time of the evaluation interview, up to 18 months after receiving Home Free services. 68% of parents reported that their youth used alcohol or other substances less. 64% of parents reported their youth engaged in physical fights less. 66% of parents reported their youth broke the law less. 83% of parents reported their youth left home because of a crisis less.

Information and Referral Services NRS maintains a national database of over 9,000 agencies and services, including FYSB grantees and other federally-funded services. Emergency and long-term housing Basic needs Food Clothing Transportation Treatment Health Mental health

What’s the reality for the 1. 6 to 2 What’s the reality for the 1.6 to 2.8 million youth who will experience a runaway episode this year? Family Dynamics remains the most commonly raised issue for youth in crisis connecting to the National Runaway Safeline (35%) Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and verbal) is the second most common issue raised by youth in crisis (18%)

Teens and Stress Teens Stress Resources Crisis

Activity Time: Who’s On Your Bus? Directions: THINK about if you could fill a bus with the people in your life who are most important when it comes to making decisions about your life, who would be on that bus? FILL IN each “bus seat” (represented by the oval) with a person/group that is most important. PLACE a star next to those who are close to your age. PLACE an arrow next to the older or younger people on your bus who also influence your choices about your life. SHARE with a partner who you invited onto your bus.

Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum Free 14 module evidence based life skills curriculum Curriculum Goals Build life skills Educate about alternatives to running away Encourage youth to access and seek help from trusted community members Increase knowledge about runaway resources and prevention Target Audience: Youth 10-20 but can be modified for other ages Usage: In addition to our crisis intervention services, we are working on the prevention side to help youth build the life skills and resilience to overcome tough issues, think about alternatives to running away, and seek help from trusted adults Schools After-school Clubs Youth Groups Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelters Community Centers

Let’s Talk – Desktop Review Updated and added new information to the original curriculum 2.0 launched Spring 2015 Domestic Violence & Teen Dating Violence Human Trafficking Additional helpful resources, including Native American Resources Information about trauma-informed intervention approach June 2016 – Release of updated curriculum in Spanish! Hablemos

Let’s Talk - Layout Each module has the same layout: Learning objectives/define the Issue Activity menu and materials Activity layout – step by step instructions and prompts Summary page References and additional resources Handouts and worksheets Pre/Post test

*When developing this curriculum we went into it recognizing that youth participating may be impacted by trauma – so we wrote the content to trying to avoid any retraumatization. We also provide you – the facilitator with “caution” icons to alert you if there may be sensitive issues in certain modules. Throughout the curriculum, youth are learning how to build safe and trusting relationships and connect to positive peer support. *There is a section in the intro module under “unique populations” where we added additional information and resources on working with native American and indigenous populations so keep that in mind if you work with any native American youth/families

*When developing this curriculum we went into it recognizing that youth participating may be impacted by trauma – so we wrote the content to trying to avoid any retraumatization. We also provide you – the facilitator with “caution” icons to alert you if there may be sensitive issues in certain modules. Throughout the curriculum, youth are learning how to build safe and trusting relationships and connect to positive peer support. *There is a section in the intro module under “unique populations” where we added additional information and resources on working with native American and indigenous populations so keep that in mind if you work with any native American youth/families

14 Modules Communication and Listening Community Response and Responsibility Adolescent Development Anger Management Personal Influences Stress Reduction Peers and Healthy Relationships Drugs and Alcohol Families – Roles and Responsibilities Sexuality and Sexual Orientation Runaway Reality Internet Safety and Fun National Safe Connections Future Life Planning Notice that many of these topics are routed in social emotional learning BUT we also discuss topics surrounding runaway youth issues, human trafficking, National Safe Connections module was created in partnership with National Safe Place *Each Module is about 45 minutes long – some are going to be longer than others. *Some Modules may have “extra activities” - Runaway Reality has an extra activity – KIDS CALL

Module 6: Runaway Reality Learning Goals: Consider why some youth decide to run away Understand the services and philosophy of the National Runaway Safeline Brainstorm things a youth should consider before leaving home Consider alternatives to running away “Runaway Risk” activity Review Runaway Risk activity and how it helps youth think about situations where they are being approached

Activity Review: Kids Call Hands-on way for youth to learn more about the issues that youth in crisis face and the solutions available to them- straight from the NRS front line team of staff Gives youth a chance to call in and ask questions and even do mock calls To schedule a Kids Call session, call or email the prevention specialist

Facilitation Tips Allow youth to be a part of establishing classroom guidelines Allow people to participate as they feel comfortable If you are able to – incentives for participation can be helpful Be prepared for some conversations to bring up issues for some youth Make sure to review tests and summary before facilitating Allow enough time for discussion Don’t be afraid to modify! Utilize large group discussions, small groups and even use one on one depending on your needs.

Curriculum Benefits Let’s Talk can be implemented by activity, module or in its entirety. Very user friendly. Let’s Talk provides additional resources, worksheets, and handouts for learning, as well as pre- and post-tests to assist in determining if learning has occurred. Let’s Talk can lend to leadership opportunities for youth by allowing peer- led learning. Let’s Talk will support life skills acquisition and prevention efforts. The curriculum can be included in service learning projects and/or used to complement existing required curricula or other social emotional learning.

Let’s Talk – Technical Assistance NRS offers technical assistance to all Let’s Talk users Reach out to users to get feedback, answer questions, collect data, and offer incentives The types of data that NRS will collect from users: Pre- and post-tests Group demographic information Satisfaction survey from the facilitator “Everything was laid out nicely for a group activity that was interesting and applicable for our kids” “I liked that the curriculum covered youth, parents, staff and community” “Relevant issues, opens up dialogue” “It provides data, statistics, and real life scenarios for the youth”

Let’s Talk - Contact Information For specific questions regarding the Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum: Lindsey Kahney Prevention Specialist 773.289.1723 prevention@1800RUNAWAY.org 3141 B N Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL, 60657 1-800-RUNAWAY (24-hour hotline) 1800RUNAWAY.org (website)