This runaway prevention curriculum was produced under a 3-year collaboration among the National Runaway Switchboard, DePaul University's Center for Community and Organization Development, youth, and the community.
The 14 modules of the curriculum can be used in their entirety, as individual models, or to supplement an organization's own prevention strategies. Module 1, "Communication and Listening," identifies barriers to communication and uses active listening skills in real-life scenarios. Module 2, "Adolescent Development," addresses the aspects and challenges of adolescent development. Youth will be encouraged to discover their personal identity by examining their strengths and positive qualities. Module 3, "Personal Influences," assists youth in identifying how personal values, principles, and beliefs will impact their decisionmaking. Module 4, Peers," encourages youth to discuss positive, negative, direct, and indirect peer pressure; youth will characterize their current friendships and social groups. Module 5, "Families: Roles and Responsibilities," guides youth in defining the term "family" for themselves and considers the roles and responsibilities each family member holds. Techniques for improving communication among family members and skills to resolve family challenges are addressed. In Module 6, "Runaway Reality," youth "brainstorm" reasons why youth choose to run away from their family, they develop a series of questions to pose to themselves before leaving, along with options other than running away. Module 7, "National Safe Connections," assists youth in identifying their own personal "safe place." Module 9 "Anger Management," assists youth in identifying mental and physical reactions to anger and positive ways of dealing with these reactions. The remaining five modules address stress reduction, drug and alcohol use and the consequences and risks, sexuality and sexual orientation, internet safety and fun, and future life planning.