Primary Prevention Trainings

“[Crisis Center North’s prevention education programming] taught us responsibility, how it builds trust with others. We learned how to be role models, not only in our school but society. We learned to lead by example.” – Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) High School Student

CCN’s educational programs are guided by the principles of primary prevention, the method that says incidents of violence can be prevented before they occur through research-based, ongoing,and integrated educational programs aimed at shaping participant and community beliefs and attitudes about violence. CCN is the only documented non-profit in the country to implement optimistic bias (the belief that bad things happen to others rather than oneself) into its programming. This innovative approach increases the chance that students will take self-protective measures, thus reducing the likelihood of victimization.

During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, CCN impacted 14,043 youths in ten local schools through 423 presentations.

CCN is also proud to announce that Leon Strimel, lead CCN prevention educator, received a 2017 Governor’s Victims Service Pathfinder Award for his prevention work.

Current programming includes:

Developing Healthy Relationships with Ourselves and Others

DHROO is an evidence-based program with elements from multiple proven curricula including Safe Dates, Expect Respect, and Mentors in Violence. Its goal is for students to gain knowledge,examine attitudes, and effect positive change in behaviors related to violence and relationships. The program examines student stress, self-esteem, conflicts,bullying, media and technology, and relationships. Repeated exposure to these topics can help influence and change attitudes about relationships with oneself and others, which can then impact behavior. Schools are able to select from the entire 21-session program or use only specific components that fit their needs.

DV101 and Healthy Relationships

This presentation was designed at the request of several high schools that were looking for an expert to come in and teach students about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like.Designed with high school students in mind, this single session presentation goes through the cycle of violence and how abusers will manipulate and control the partnership. It includes information about red flags and ideas on how to approach friends who may be in unhealthy relationships. We also discuss relevant aspects of healthy relationships, how to protect yourself, and the importance of respectful communication.  

Peer-to-Peer Empowerment

PPE is designed to help youth develop skills to deal with DV and dating related social justice issues and to work towards social change. Students take the initiative to be leaders and develop activities and programming for a project that will address an identified issue in their school or community during the school year. In their project, students act as peer educators on a variety of topics that relate to dating/domestic violence. Throughout the process students are trained and then supported as they create projects or conduct presentations at their area school districts.The program uses a collaborative, multi-school platform to create student leaders, again creating awareness, examining attitudes, and aiming to change response and behavior. Through this community network of students, CCN encourages participating schools to develop their own set of best practices and standards on respectful school culture. Students gather at a Spring luncheon each year where they highlight their work and further educate their peers.

‍

Coaching Boys Into Men

CBIM engages with young males [the group most at risk of becoming perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV)]in athletic settings. The program aims to decrease instances of IPV by increasing knowledge of abuse, fostering positive gender attitudes, and promoting intervention against aggressive or disrespectful behaviors.Participants act as ambassadors of CBIM, spreading its positive messages to their peers who often see athletes as school leaders and role models. In CCN’s modified program, prevention education team members facilitate conversations between the coaches and the teams but also invite other school faculty to theconversation to create the culture of change, level of respect, and accountability being sought. By facilitating the program with coaches,educators build a strong rapport with the athletes, and build coaches’ confidence in addressing issues of IPV. Engaging men and boys in thoughtful programming about violence and challenging accepted attitudes about women, has proven effective in preventing violence and increasing bystander intervention.

Challenging Athletes to become Lifelong Leaders C.A.L.L.

Athletics has always been at the forefront of social change. Playing sports has helped our country break down barriers of segregation and racism; it brings the world together during times of war and provides inspiration and optimism when the public needs it most.Athletes are often popular and influential leaders among their peers. Manytimes, they do not view themselves as leaders, or they may lead in very negative, disruptive, and harmful ways. We work with coaches to help the athletes develop their leadership skills in a positive way which can benefit themselves and others in fostering healthy relationships and a positive school environment. The program consists of eight classroom presentations to the athletes dealing with respect, relationships, leadership, and their responsibilities on and off the field or court.

WITH YOU – Writing Introspectively Together Helps Youth Overcome and Understand

The WITH YOU program was designed to help students who have suffered trauma in their lives. In each session,students meet to focus on different expressive writing assignments that range from empathetically writing about the experiences of others, responding to hypothetical prompts about processing trauma, and (if they are comfortable doing so) writing about their own difficult experiences and how they overcame these obstacles in a way that shares their strategies for success. Recently updated to include artistic and musical expression, students have the opportunity to find out what expressive output works best for their own healing in a safe and autonomous setting.

‍

Updated March 8th, 2023