Peaceful Alternatives to Tough Situations (PATTS) (Centre for Child and Family Services, Virginia, USA, 2008) PATTS is an aggression management program designed to help youth increase positive conflict resolution skills, increase the ability to forgive transgressions, and reduce aggressive behavior. The program teaches cognitive skills, peer refusal skills, appropriate conflict resolution skills, identification and verbalization of emotions, recognition of anger cues, calming techniques, and forgiveness. Sessions are highly interactive and use group discussion, role-playing, games, and skills review. The program is also effective with individual youth. Available at Park Place for Youth, Talitha House and through Youth Now Connections.

Girls’ Talk (CAMH, 2009) Girl’s Talk is an 8 session anti-stigma program for girls, which focuses on educating about and preventing depression. “Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time for females”. (Marcotte et al, 2002; Manion et al, 1997). Gilligan, et al. (1990) describe adolescence as a time when girls “lose their voice”, experiencing a diminished confidence in their ability to express their needs and opinions. This can lead to a decline in mental health and well-being. This program gives girls a voice. It sheds light on the interrelation between depression and self-esteem, body image, stress, relationships and the media. It also teaches coping skills and therefore the resiliency which is necessary for daily functioning in these areas. Topics are explored such as relationships, self-esteem, body image and stress. This resource is ideal for prevention and rehabilitation programs for female and male youths, as well as parent education groups. Available at Talitha House and through Youth Now Connections.

Young Women’s Lives (Oakland Men’s Project, M. Nell Myhand, Paul Kivel, 1998)  Young Women’s Lives: Building Self-Awareness for Life is a program for young women ages fourteen to nineteen. It is designed to celebrate and enhance their strength, experience, creativity, and intelligence. It is a group curriculum for young women working together to curtail destructive behavior, to support one another’s successes, and to connect to the ongoing struggles of women in this country for greater equality, opportunity, and social justice. The curriculum is also designed to assist young women in reducing the negative impact of interpersonal and institutional violence. Working through the sessions will help young women establish lives based on personal strength, self-confidence, connection to others, and involvement in community efforts to diminish violence against women. Available at Talitha House, and through Youth Now Connections.

Young Men’s Work (Allan Creighton, Paul Kivel, Oakland Men’s Project, 1995)  Stopping Violence and Building Community is a program for young men, ages fourteen to nineteen, who are working together to solve problems without resorting to violence. The program also looks at the underlying messages our society gives adolescent males about what it means to be a man. By addressing the roots of male violence, this effective curriculum helps young men break the cycle of violence passed from generation to generation. Activities and materials help young men challenge the beliefs that lead to violent behavior and teach them how to successfully resolve conflict. Available at Park Place for Youth, and through Youth Now Connections.

Cannabis Youth Treatment 5 (CYT5) (Mental Health Services Administration, Dr. Susan Sampl, Dr. Ronald Kadden, 2001) CYT5 is a short term addictions program which combines 2 sessions of Motivational Enhancement Therapy with 3 sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. (MET/CBT). The MET sessions focus on factors that motivate clients to change. In the CBT sessions, clients learn skills to cope with problems and meet their needs in ways that do not involve turning to marijuana or alcohol. This program has been successfully implemented with clients of both genders, and a variety of cultural groups. The 5 sessions have been compared to other treatment modalities with a longer treatment period and have proven to be highly effective in reducing drug and alcohol use in adolescents. Unlike many substance abuse programs, CYT5 can be offered to youth who are in the pre-contemplative or contemplative stages of change. (Prochaska &Diclemente, 1983).  Available at Park Place for Youth, Talitha House, and through Youth Now Connections. 

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) For parents of teens up to 16 years, provides parents with a broad focused parenting support intervention delivered through a one-to-one format. After thorough family assessment parents set their own goals, learn ways to encourage positive behaviour for teens, and teach their teens new skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution and self-regulation. Parents also learn ways to use appropriate consequences for misbehaviour (e.g. breaking family rules, taking inappropriate risks, emotional outbursts). Available through Youth Now Connections.

Infant Simulator Program (Realityworks, Real Care Program, 1995) Each program has purchased 2 of the life-size infant simulators which offer simulated real-life experiences. A science-based RealCare Parenting Program accompanies the infant simulators. The program is facilitated and supported by staff members who are specifically trained to offer support in the hands-on program and the parenting curriculum. The simulator is programmed to a level of difficulty that will be most helpful for each youth’s education as they respond to the type of care required. The curriculum includes topics such as decision making, parenting readiness, infant safety, goal setting, infant care and child development. Shaken Baby Syndrome and other medical issues are also addressed within the curriculum. Available at Park Place for Youth, Talitha House, and through Youth Now Connections.