Reconnecting Youth (RY) is a program that helps at-risk and high-risk youth succeed in school and decrease drug use, anger, depression, and suicide risk behavior. This school-based program is designed for middle and high school-aged youth. The main component of the program, the semester-long Reconnecting Youth class, is part of the school curriculum, meeting daily or on a block schedule, and is ideally offered for credit and graded. RY helps students develop skills and strategies for dealing with risk factors associated with school dropout, using skills training to enhance personal competencies and positive peer support to engage learners and enhance outcomes. The lessons are fast-paced and interactive, meeting students’ needs for variety, individualization and belonging. RY works to enhance protective factors associated with self-esteem enhancement, decision-making, personal control, and interpersonal communication.

RY can be delivered as a Tier 2 or a Tier 3 intervention within the PBIS framework. When provided to students who are at risk for developing problem behaviors, but not yet exhibiting behaviors (e.g., alcohol or drug use) associated with school dropout, RY would be considered a Tier 2 (Selective) prevention program. When youth who are already showing signs of academic struggles or related problem behaviors are invited to participate in the RY class, it is considered a Tier 3 (Indicated) prevention/intervention program. 

Coping and Support Training (CAST) is a small group prevention program tested in middle and high schools. CAST has demonstrated decreased suicide risk behaviors and reduced alcohol and hard drug use, as well as increased personal control, problem-solving coping, and family support, among other positive outcomes. CAST is conducted over 12, 55-minute sessions. It can be delivered by trained teachers, counselors, social workers, or others with similar experience. Using skills training to enhance personal competencies and positive peer support to engage learners and enhance outcomes, CAST lessons are fast-paced and interactive, meeting students’ needs for variety, individualization and belonging.

CAST can be implemented as a Tier 2 or a Tier 3 intervention within the PBIS framework, depending on how you select your participants. As a Tier 2 (Selective) prevention program, CAST could be delivered to students who may be in a population more at risk for certain behaviors (e.g., Native Americans or LGBTQ youth at risk for suicide). Whereas, if CAST is implemented with students who are already exhibiting problem behaviors (e.g., depression or a precipitous drop in GPA), it would be considered a Tier 3 (Indicated) prevention/intervention program.

The RY and CAST curricula align with the National Health Education Standards of CDC’s School Health Education Resources. VIEW HERE