Positive Action

Targeted Age of Child: Child (6-12), adolescent (13-18)

Targeted Audience: This program can be used universally for all children and families within the specific age range or to target at-risk children and families.

Effectiveness Within Racial/Ethnic Groups, Gender and Settings:

• Evaluated as effective with African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic and Pacific Island children
• Implemented with numerous racial/ethnic and international children
• Evaluated as effective for both genders
• Evaluated as effective within urban, suburban and rural settings

Program Description: Positive Action, multiple components, geared for family, school and community, can be used independently or in conjunction with one another. Components seek to target family bonding and conflict, improve academic achievement and school bonding, and support avoidance of problem behaviors (e.g. substance use, violence, sexual behavior, and disruptive behaviors). The underlying premise of this program is that taking positive action results in positive feelings about oneself.

Evaluated Outcomes:

• Improved academic achievement
• Reductions in child violence
• Reductions in child disruptive/problem behavior
• Reductions in child substance use
• Improved school attendance
• Improved family cohesion and bonding
• Reduced family conflict

Number of Sessions and Format:

• 7 two hour sessions designed for children and their families or adolescents and their families
• Children and parents meet separately for the first hour of the session and come together for the second hour
• Program components include family kit, counselor kit, grade specific curriculum kits (k-12), counselor kit, community kit, statewide climate development kits and drug education kits
• Program components can be used independently or in any combination with one another

Staffing: No specialized staffing or training needs

Cost: Low (for family segment alone)

Registry Listings: SAMHSA

Contact Information:

Keri Metzger
Administrative Assistant
Positive Action Inc.
Phone: 800-354-2974 Ext. 100
Fax: 208-733-1590
Email: keri@positiveaction.net
Web site: http://www.positiveaction.net