Reconnecting Youth
A peer group approach to building life skills.
A peer group approach to building life skills.
—Reconnecting Youth participant
This semester-long program is an intervention program for high school teens at risk for dropping out of school due to drug involvement, school performance, or emotional distress. Youth First Social Workers and trained school staff guide students through a curriculum with three core RY program goals:
Some schools provide credit for the program.
Participants sign up voluntarily at the recommendation of school counselors, principals and teachers. They are given material prior to sign-up that describes the lessons and expectations of students in the class. Parents are required to provide consent for participation. Parents are also provided with materials that correspond to the learning modules along with suggestions about how to reinforce new skills at home. Students are encouraged to participate in school functions in order to support school bonding and build skills.