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The Council

The Council is designed in the evidence-based principles of Motivational Interviewing and Strengths-Based approaches that target resiliency and protective factors, in addition to stimulating critical thinking and moral reasoning through experiential activities and guided discussions. The Strengths-Based approach is recognized for its effectiveness in engaging school-aged youth. The Council focuses on being responsive to adolescent male development from a holistic perspective which takes into consideration the effects of trauma and violence, and on a boy’s culture and environment by establishing a safe group experience that fosters social-emotional development and empathy (being a primary and essential social skill) while holding youth accountable and responsible for their behavior and choices. The program's client-centered and male responsive approach is highly structured and challenges young men’s thinking and behavior. Additionally, it stimulates emotion management in a supportive way that establishes healthy and caring relationships with peers and adults and re-connects them to society in a pro-social capacity with the primary goal being a successful community re-entry from correctional settings.

Accepted to the Portfolio: August 2015

Target Outcomes

Short Term Outcomes

  • Increased school participation
  • Improved future and school efficacy.
  • Participants report high levels of program satisfaction

Long Term Outcomes

  • Increased high school graduation
  • Improved mental health
  • Increased resiliency
  • Decreased relational aggression
  • Meaningful participation in the community

Target Population

Demographics

  • Kindergarten  - 12th Grade
  • Transitional Age Youth (16 - 24)

Service Area

  • Northwest (District 5)

Information