Talking with Children about Violence: Brief Example of Community Intervention Outline
Background: A teen who works in the local afterschool program has started noticing that many of the children attending the program seem to be frightened and anxious when it is time leave the program at the end of the day. The teen has reached out to one of the social workers leading this program, asking what to do next. The social worker suggested that a community intervention can help both the teen and the youth in this community by integrating a safety learning group into the afterschool program. The following is what the social worker outlined for her community intervention proposal.
Goal
The school safety program will assist community youth, kindergarten to 12th grade, who choose to participate in this afterschool program in feeling safer and reduce chances for victimization by having the ability to implement effective conflict resolution skills.
Objectives
Overall, this program will teach children skills to increase their safety. According to the National Association of School Psychologists (2016), children need to have a forum to discuss their safety concerns. This program will do just that by hosting an open discussion with a school guidance counselor, among other activities.
In this intervention, children will be taught skills to defuse a tense situation. These will include open body language, how to approach (not confront), active listening, “I” statements, finding common ground, and common courtesies like “please” and “thank you.”
Children will also be taught what to do in an emergency. Learning objectives will include reviewing safety procedures, memorizing emergency numbers, knowing important personal information, and what to do if you find a weapon.
In following NASP (2016) suggestions, lessons will be developmentally appropriate for the different age groups of youth. Early elementary school children will be provided simple, short directions and information. Upper elementary school and earl middle school youth will be instructed in how to separate fantasy (perceived fears) from reality (actual potential threats) and will benefit from an open forum for questions. Upper middle schoolers and high schoolers will likely be invested in learning how to keep their school and community safer and need a safe space to discuss causes of violence. All youth will have access to a guidance counselor.
Timeframe
The intervention curriculum will run according to the academic calendar. Because we are currently in December 2019, this program will achieve it’s stated goals by the end of the school year June 2020. The writer suggests repeating this afterschool program each academic year until violence in the community is reduced by 50%.
Projected Results for Success
By June 2020, at least 75% of participants in this program will demonstrate a 60% success rate of understanding conflict resolution skills according to developmental age group and will report feeling at least 70% safer.
References
National Association of School Psychologists. (2016). Talking to children about violence: Tips for parents and teachers. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
