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Get on Track
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Get on Track

GET ON TRACK is a 10-session program. It's focus is to educate youth who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system, to increase their protective factors, and decrease their risk factors. Referrals for this program come from schools, the juvenile justice system, families, and other care providers. The Get on Track curriculum attempts to meet the needs of the different participants in the group and therefore is flexible enough that all topics are explored.

Youth also receive intensive case management to help with other issues specific to their needs, in addition to the core curriculum. For example, youth could receive on-going monitoring of possible substance use through UA's. The case manager will offer reports for mandated court hearings to advocate for the youth. Youth will receive assistance in attaining other services, such as mental health counseling, medical appointments, working with school staff, et cetera. Upon graduating, each participant receives a $10 gift certificate.

CURRICULUM - In general the curriculum allows 3-4 weeks for each topic, except for introduction to the program.

Topic 1: Introduction to the program, complete survey.

  • Introduction to goal setting skills.

    • Topic 2: Identifying positive/negative self-esteem.

  • How to build positive self-esteem.
  • What types of issues bring down self-esteem
    and how to deal with them.

    Topic 3: Anger management issues and how to use assertive communication.

  • Identify triggers and high risk situations.
  • Identify other responses and possible
    roadblocks in using other responses.

    Topic 4: Decision making skills, problem solving skills.

  • Talk about the "incident" that required them to come to group and brainstorm
    where different decisions could have been made to have different outcomes.
  • Introduce pro/con lists as decision making tools.
  • Identify one problem in life currently that they would like help on and
    use the group as a resource for brainstorming for solutions.
  • Practice making decisions and evaluating plan outcomes.

    Topic 5: Stress Management.

  • Identify stressors.
  • Identify current stress management skills.
  • Identify ways current skills do or do not work.
  • Brainstorm new stress management skills.
  • Plan to use new skills and evaluate effectiveness.

    Topic 6: Remaining ATOD-free, resisting peer pressure.

  • Identify knowledge they already have about ATOD.
  • Evaluate quality of knowledge.
  • Provide correct knowledge and brainstorm places for them to
    receive correct knowledge in the future.
  • Identify triggers for use (school, family, friends, etc.) and come up with
    plans to effectively deal with each of them.
  • Identify activities that are available to them that promote a drug-free lifestyle.

    HOW TO APPLY - In order to enter the Get on Track program, youth must be referred through schools, the juvenile justice system, families and other care providers. The focus group is ages 13 to 17. Each youth must complete a needs assessment. This includes a drug and alcohol evaluation, which will be performed by a certified drug counselor and held at the Black Diamond Community Center. If deemed appropriate, the youth is then placed into a Get on Track group. The groups will meet at the Black Diamond Community Center on Wednesday evenings, from 5:30pm to 7pm.

    If you have further questions, want more detailed information, or to schedule an intake, contact the Black Diamond Community Center at either 360-886-1011 or 360-886-9844.