Youth across the nation are dealing with trauma and toxic stress like never before. Many times, their response is to act out or to start using. Parents, teachers, peers, family members, and the community can be frustrated by these behaviors and respond in negative ways, which can make matters worse.

How can we help our young people make healthy decisions that are not based on emotional dysregulation or a response to trauma?

We can educate them to recognize and regulate their emotions! This is currently being done in Gila Count Arizona with the evidence-based program, Mind Matters.

Arizona Youth Partnership is currently using Mind Matters in their Diversion Program, funded by Governor’s Office of Youth Faith and Families, in Gila County, Arizona schools.

Students are referred to the Diversion Program who are at risk for substance issues based on excessive absences from school, vaping, fighting and other offenses. The Diversion Program allows them to remain in school while learning how to deal with stress and make healthy decisions instead of being suspended, missing school, getting behind, and other continued destructive behaviors.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

• Learn the importance of school attachment.
• Learn how the Mind Matters program has positive effects on students.
• Learn how to approach a school to discuss diversion instead of suspension.

Presenter:

• Julie Craig; Director of Community Impact- Arizona Youth Partnership

Who should attend: Anyone working with youth who exhibit challenging behaviors including juvenile justice professionals, school administrators, counselors, teachers, Title II grantees, prevention specialists, healthy relationship-TPP- SRAE grantees, and anyone who interacts with youth and wants to understand how to better support their emotional well-being and guide young people toward making healthy decisions.