Y.E.S. - You’re Extra Special
You're Extra Special (Y.E.S.) is a child-centered prevention education program for youth ages 7-12 in Columbus City Schools and other select community sites.
It is designed for, but not limited
to, children whose lives have been affected by parental alcohol and drug abuse.
Through activities such as art, games, books and
videos, the program focuses on the needs, feelings and perceptions of the child, not
the person using or the nature of alcoholism/addiction.
By discussing these
topics, children gain positive
coping skills and resiliency. The curriculum can be used in schools,
community centers, counseling agencies, churches, treatment centers and so
forth.
The
program is delivered in closed, small discussion-based groups that do not exceed
10 participants and run 45-60 minutes. The Y.E.S. curriculum includes 12 lessons and can be broken into one or two school-year
cycles. Groups that meet for the
duration of the school year show best results because students are able to form
positive, consistent relationships with the facilitator. Yes 2.0 uses the evidence-based program "Too Good for Drugs" for middle school youth discussing drug refusal strategies.
The
Goals of the Y.E.S. Program are to:
- Reduces
the risk of alcohol and other drug abuse among the high-risk population of
children of alcoholics/addicts and adverse childhood events
- Increase
self-esteem and self-worth
- Increase
positive coping skills and protective factors
- Increase
knowledge of how family dynamics are affected by alcohol and other drug use
- Increase
awareness of the higher biological risk for addiction
- Increase
communication and problem solving skills
- Highlight
ways to keep our selves safe and an understanding of resources available
Outcomes
seen with the Y.E.S. program include:
- Increase
in school attendance
- Decrease
in high-risk behaviors
- Increase
in healthy relationships and expression of feelings
- Better
ability to cope with difficult and stressful situations
- Decrease
in shame and guilt among children of alcoholics and addicts
This program is grant funded through ADAMH. If you would like to start this program at your location or have questions call 614-645-6839.