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RY Program Goals

Increased school performance
Decreased drug involvement
Decreased emotional distress

Reconnecting Youth Program Structure
1. The RY curriculum:
There are 75 lessons in the RY curriculum. It is typically offered as a semester-long, for-credit class by a teacher/facilitator who works well with youth at risk and who is trained to implement the RY program. Getting Started Self-esteem Enhancement Decision Making Personal Control Interpersonal Communication
2. Social and School Bonding Activities:
An important component of the RY Program is increasing RY student involvement in healthy social activities and engaging them in activities that increase bonding to their school. The curriculum describes a variety of ways this can be done.
3. School Crisis Response Plan:
A School Crisis Response Plan is the third component of the RY Program. Such a plan is necessary because many at-risk youth experience depression and suicide-risk behaviors. The RY School Crisis Response Plan prepares school staff members 1) to identify and respond to students who are suicidal and 2) to respond, if necessary, with post-suicide intervention strategies.

RY also incorporates several social support mechanisms for participating youth:

Bonding activities to improve teens' relationships and improve their repertoire of safe, healthy activities
Development of a crisis response plan that details the school's suicide prevention approaches
Active parental consent for their teen's participation and ongoing support of their teen's RY goals

RY Students:
An RY Class is made up of 10 – 12 students who are INVITED to participate and who meet the following criteria:

behind in credits for their grade level and
in the top 25th percentile for absences and
a GPA of less than 2.3 or a precipitous drop in grades, OR
a prior dropout status, or
are referred by school personnel & meet 1 or more of the first three criteria

RY is an evidenced-based program:
When tested with potential high school dropouts, RY had significant effects:

35% reduction in dropout rates
50% reduction in hard drug use
75% reduction in depression/hopelessness
80% reduction in suicidal behaviors
18% increase in GPA for all classes (excluding RY)
7.5% increase in credits earned per semester

See Research for more details.

RY is also aligned with PBIS - Click here to learn more!

RY is also aligned with MTSS (Multi-Tier Systems & Supports): Click here to learn more!
MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence-based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to student needs, with frequent data-based monitoring to inform decision- making and empower each student to achieve their potential.