NCJ Number
207590
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 236-259
Date Published
September 2004
Length
24 pages
Annotation
A school-based program for juvenile offenders who attend alternative high schools targets those with multiple risky behaviors that include substance use, risky sexual behavior, gang affiliation, serious criminal behavior, and poor school performance.
Abstract
The program has integrated two interventions that research has shown to be effective in achieving positive change in clients, i.e., Reconnecting Youth and Street Smart. Reconnecting Youth is a school-based program that teaches resiliency skills in managing adverse risk factors in order to avoid maladaptive substance abuse. This program has proven to improve school performance, reduce drug involvement, decrease deviant peer bonding, and increase self-esteem and school bonding. The Street Smart program is designed to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases by teaching students about the nature of these diseases and how they are acquired as well as protective behaviors and practices. The Seattle Social Development Project provided the theoretical basis for merging the core elements of both Reconnecting Youth and Street Smart. The target population is incarcerated ethnic minority juveniles who are students in alternative-school classroom settings. The integrated program, which is called Substance Use HIV Intervention Program (SHIP), uses the content and teaching techniques of the two programs to prevent and reduce risky behaviors that promote substance abuse and HIV by teaching and modeling protective attitudes and behaviors. 2 tables and 58 references