Life Skills
Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. This comprehensive and exciting program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.
Developed by Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, a leading prevention expert., Botvin LifeSkills Training is backed by over 30 scientific studies and is recognized as a Model or Exemplary program by an array of government agencies including the U.S. Department of Education and the Center for Substance Abuse prevention.
Rather than merely teaching information about the dangers of drug abuse, Botvin LifeSkills Training promotes healthy alternatives to risky behavior through activities designed to:
- Teach students the necessary skills to resist social (peer) pressures to smoke, drink and use drugs.
- Help students to develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence
- Enable students to effectively cope with anxiety
- Enhance cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent a variety of health risk behaviors
- Increase their knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse
Second Step
Second Step is a social-skills program that teaches socioeconomical skills aimed at reducing impulsive and aggressive behavior while increasing social competence. The program consists of in-school curricula, parent training, and skill development. Second Step teaches children to identify and understand their own and others’ emotions, reduce impulsiveness and choose positive goals, and manage their emotional reactions and decision making process when emotionally aroused.
Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET)
SSET, an adaptation of CBITS, is designed to help schools and school systems that do not have access to school-based clinicians. Designed with and for teachers and nonclinical school counselors, this program targets students in fifth grade and above. Unlike CBITS, SSET uses a lesson-plan format instead of a clinical manual.
Too Good for Drugs
Too Good for Drugs (TGFD) is a school-based prevention program for kindergarten through 12th grade that builds on students’ resiliency by teaching them how to be socially competent and autonomous problem solvers. The program is designed to benefit everyone in the school by providing needed education in social and emotional competencies and by reducing risk factors and building protective factors that affect students in these age groups. TGFD focuses on developing personal and interpersonal skills to resist peer pressures, goal setting, decision making, bonding with others, having respect for self and others, managing emotions, effective communication, and social interactions. The program also provides information about the negative consequences of drug use and the benefits of a nonviolent, drug-free lifestyle. TGFD has developmentally appropriate curricula for each grade level through 8th grade, with a separate high school curriculum for students in grade 9 through 12.
Too Good for Violence
Too Good For Violence (TGFV) is a school-based violence prevention and character education program for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It is designed to enhance pro-social behaviors and skills and improve protective factors related to conflict and violence. TGFV has a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade level through 8th grade, with a separate high school curriculum for students in grades 9 through 12.