Originally designed as a school-based program for substance abuse prevention, the model was expanded to address multiple risk/protective factors and can be utilized as a wide-ranging prevention strategy incorporating life skills training, promoting pro-social norms and connecting to community prevention efforts in a variety of settings. Across Ages is a school and community based drug prevention program that seeks to strengthen the bonds between adults and youth and provide opportunities for positive community involvement. The centerpiece of Across Ages is the involvement of older adults as mentors for youth ages 9 to 15. In addition to spending time with their mentors, children in Across Ages are involved in community service activities that benefit the neighborhoods around their schools, and they receive classroom instruction to cope with stress and promote positive decision-making. To learn more about Across Ages click on www.temple.edu/cil/acrossages.htm.
Positive Action
This approach incorporates evidence
based strategies
such as increasing perception of personal risk,
life skills training, promoting pro-social norms and connecting to community prevention efforts. Positive Action is a comprehensive program for
students 3-18 years old. It is targeted for all groups of individuals,
regardless of age, gender, race, urban, rural, suburban, etc.
Its methodology integrates daily classroom curriculum with a school
based prevention program. The Positive Action approach teaches
physical, intellectual, social, and emotional positive actions.
Students focus on the importance of their thoughts, actions, and
feelings. Some of the goals of this program is to improve students’
academic performance, instill students motivation to learn, assist
the school, improve students’ behavior, develop students
character, develop well rounded students, develop thinking skills,
and promote good mental health in students. This program has been
proven effective for increasing protective factors such as social
skills, positive personal characteristics, knowledge regarding
risks associated with substance use, information on positive health
behaviors, negative attitude toward drug-related topics, positive
relationships with adults, positive bonding to social institutions,
and commitment to pro-social values. To learn more about Positive
Action click on the link www.positiveaction.net.