Alliance For Healthy Youth

TO EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE, AND EDUCATE YOUTH TO MAKE AND KEEP HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES.

THE PURPOSE OF ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHY YOUTH IS TO EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE YOUTH TO MAKE AND KEEP HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES. OUR GOAL IS TO EQUIP YOUTH WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS THAT ENHANCE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. PROGRAMS ARE SCHOOL-BASED AT THE INVITATION OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN SUMMIT AND IN SEVEN OTHER OHIO COUNTIES:RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL VALUES PROGRAM (RSVP) IS A FIVE-DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH PREVENTION EDUCATION CURRICULUM. STUDENTS IN SIXTH GRADE ARE TAUGHT GOOD CHARACTER AND FRIENDSHIP QUALITIES, THE MEANING OF IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED GRATIFICATION, AND LEARN TO AVOID RISKY BEHAVIORS SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE. SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO SET STANDARDS FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, FUTURE DATING STANDARDS INCLUDING DATING VIOLENCE EDUCATION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS, BENEFITS OF AVOIDING ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE, AND GOAL SETTING IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS LEARN THAT PARENTING IS AN ADULT RESPONSIBILITY, HOW TO SET AND KEEP PHYSICAL LIMITS, HOW ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE ARE INTERCONNECTED WITH OTHER RISK BEHAVIORS, AND GOOD DECISION-MAKING SKILLS. LESSON PLANS HELP STUDENTS CORRELATE GOOD DECISION MAKING WITH THE RISKS OF ALCOHOL/DRUG USE, TOBACCO/NICOTINE USE AND PREMARITAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY. RSVPARENT MEETINGS AND PARENT/GUARDIAN CHILD HOMEWORK HELP STIMULATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. YOUTH LED PREVENTION C.A.T.S. PROGRAM HAS TWO SEGMENTS. ONE IS DESIGNED FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS IN SUMMIT CO. AND SPECIALIZES IN ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE PREVENTION EDUCATION. THE OTHER SEGMENT IS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND ADDRESSES RISK ACTIVITIES, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOPICS. IN BOTH SEGMENTS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE TRAINED BY THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WHO IS OCPS CERTIFIED. STUDENTS DEVELOP ORIGINAL, CREATIVE FACT-BASED PRESENTATIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SKILLS TO AVOID SUBSTANCE USE, HOW TO CHOOSE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS, PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TO ASK FOR HELP WHEN NEEDED. C.A.T.C.H. IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING YOUTH-LED PEER SUPPORT AND SCHOOL-BASED HELP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND COULD BE PART OF THE ELEVEN PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS WHO REPORT HAVING NO FRIENDS IN WHOM THEY CAN TRUST. C.A.T.C.H. MEMBERS ARE RECOGNIZED AS ARELIABLE, APPROACHABLE PEER WHO IS TRAINED BY OUR STAFF TO ACTIVELY LISTEN, REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE PROBLEM AND BE AVAILABLE TO DIRECT A STRUGGLING PEER TO APPROVED ADULT HELP IN SCHOOLS AS OFTEN AS NEEDED. C.A.T.C.H. IS AVAILABLE IN SUMMIT CO. SCHOOLS.C.A.T.S. CLUBS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN A POSITIVE, ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR GROUP DISCUSSION AND LEARNING. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN TO SET STANDARDS TO AVOID RISK BEHAVIORS AND HOW TO DEVELOP HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. TOPICS INCLUDE PRACTICAL WAYS TO MAKEHEALTHY CHOICES AND AVOID RISK BEHAVIORS; LIFE CHALLENGES; COMMUNICATION; GOALS. THE INFORMAL GROUP EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY HELPS STUDENTS IMPROVE SELF-IMAGE AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE.THE C.A.T.S. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED THE MY STORY TODAY PODCAST IN 2020. C.A.T.S. MEMBERS PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ACHIEVING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AVOIDING RISK BEHAVIORS AND BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.