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Initiatives GASP has been particularly attentive to data regarding unsupervised after school time, school breaks, and vacation periods. The Coalition continues to make strides in addressing these needs. Current initiatives will enhance and expand those efforts.
GASP Coalition is proud to share the following PSA created by a group of young women from Groton schools as part of a program called STEPS, Inc.
The Mystic Arts Center offers scholarships for 15 teens to Art for All, an after school outreach initiative designed to make art classes available to youth who may be unable to participate due to limited income and/or lack of transportation. This program fosters creativity and self-expression through the arts.
Brief Strategic Family Therapy State Licensed Family Therapists at Groton Human Services provides counseling using the brief family therapy model for 20 youth and their families. Individuals needing substance abuse or mental health treatment will be referred.
A 3-week program in July for 30-35 teenagers who express interest in jobs related to the marine/fishing industry, providing them with an opportunity to form connections with role models in the field of marine science/fishing industry. The Maritime Academy evolved out of community support of the Coalition and our close proximity to the CT shoreline and has built its own volunteer base of 65 community members including: Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Fishing Fleets, and a team of recreation and community policing staff to implement the program.
Implemented in an “after school setting” at Boys and Girls Club, this program is delivered to middle school students in fifteen 45-minute sessions. The program fosters drug resistance skills that enable youth to recognize and challenge common misconceptions about substance use, as well as deal with peer and media pressure to engage in substance use.
Since the Groton Public Schools made a financial commitment in 2005 to fund a School To Career Coordinator position, many positive changes have been implemented. One focus of this program is to introduce students and parents to available community resources, outreach programs, and assistance opportunities, and to encourage students to more fully participate in their community through such avenues as job shadowing, volunteering or internships, and civic organizations. In 2007-08, the job-shadowing component introduced 45 students into 200 business placements.
School-Based Mentoring Program This program through Groton Public Schools identifies children that are interested in being a “mentee”, recruits interested adults in the community to act as mentors, and matches the two. Mentors bring their life experience, skills, and interests to their mentoring relationships. 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and the high school participate in this program.
Second Step and Violence is Preventable (VIP) Program The Women’s Center implements the science based Second Step curriculum in all 2nd and 3rd grade classes (1,040 students) in 9 elementary schools and Violence is Preventable in all 7th grade classes (900 students). In this curriculum, students are given opportunities to learn and practice skills (e.g. empathy, problem solving, appropriate social behaviors, self-management) that reduce impulsive behavior and increase social competency and self-esteem.
The Boys & Girls Club of SECT offers Smart Moves, which teaches “at risk” teens stress reduction techniques and communication and assertiveness skills, and increases awareness of consequences of life choices. The 6-week Smart Moves Program is offered to 15-25 teenagers each time. This initiative targets youth that are less likely to have job readiness skills and who would benefit by developing job competencies to prepare for the world of work. To do this, The Boys & Girls Club partners with the Community Technology Center at the Public Library.
Safe Homes Safe Homes is a parent pledge program designed to help create a safe environment for children by raising awareness about alcohol and other drug and substance abuse among young people, and encouraging parents to join together to address the problem. Rather than worrying alone, parents can unite to do something positive and proactive by pledging to prevent underage drinking.
Social Norms at Fitch High School Social Norming is a research-based marketing strategy that aims to correct the misperceptions teens have about common behaviors among their peers. For the second year in a row, GASP has implemented their social norms campaign at Fitch High School, with the help of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). The campaign includes posters (see the PDF links below) that feature positive statistics about Fitch High School students' drug and alcohol use. Posters will be changed throughout the year to reflect different statistics. Each statistic is a result of the 2010 Groton Youth Survey. Other materials in the social norms campaign include billboards, highlighters, pens, backpacks and mini basketballs. An FAQ sheet and brochure were placed in each teacher's mailbox at the high school.
Drunk Driving Statistic Poster
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Ledge Light Health District | 943 North Rd. Groton, CT 06340 | 860.448.4882 |
