R.E.A.L. (Realistic Education About Life)
In-Class Presentations are the core of this prevention curriculum developed by the Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects.  A series of interactive, developmentally appropriate lessons has been designed for individual grade levels from Kindergarten through grade 6. Lessons include student activities, videos, and enrichment follow-up materials. The curriculum meets the Act 211 of 1990 empowerment Goals established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Topic areas include Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) information, self-concept, coping/relating skills, decision making, and violence prevention skills.

Evidence-Based Model Programs
Evidence-based programs are approaches that have been developed and evaluated using scientific processes. These programs are grounded in a clear theoretical foundation and have been carefully implemented and evaluated. The evaluation findings have been subjected to critical review by other researchers and the program has been replicated in a variety of settings.

These programs have produced actual long-term measurable reduction in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use.

Botvin Life Skills Program: A 3-year ATOD Prevention Program with 8 sequential lessons/year for Grades 3-5 or Grades 4-6.

Project Achieve: The Stop and Think Program addresses social skills and conflict resolution for pre-kindergarten through grade 8.

Second Step: Addresses violence reduction and prevention for pre-kindergarten through grade five with 20 lessons/year. There is also a parent program component.

Too Good for Drugs: Addresses ATOD use and reinforces resiliency skills for kindergarten through grade 8; 10 sequential lessons each year.

 Secondary Services

Tough Topics for Teens
Tough Topics for Teens presentations are designed for single classroom interactions for all students at a given grade level. Information is provided on a wide variety of topics including life skills, conflict resolution, violence reduction, drug prevention, and diversity. The Tough Topics for Teens program provides basic knowledge and skill practice to help students successfully make decisions that will allow them to commit to a healthy lifestyle.Interactive role-plays, videos, and student activities all combine to create interesting and challenging programs for students.

Evidence-Based Programs
Project Alert (11 sessions), Project Toward No Drug Abuse [TND] (12 sessions), and Too Good for Drugs and Violence-High School are evidence-based gateway drug prevention programs aimed at reducing, delaying, and preventing the use of drugs among adolescents. Both are designed for single classrooms and are highly interactive.

Workshops and in-service trainings are available to school districts throughout Western Pennsylvania and cover a variety of topics ranging from "Update on the Scope of the Drug Problem" and "Inhalants: Right Up Your Nose" to "Conflict Resolution Skills for Elementary Educators" and "Teachers Can Cope." These sessions provide the opportunity for both educators and administrators to improve their knowledge and skills as well as interacting with one another.

For further information, contact:
Jacqueline Colland (724)-805-2050

Email: jacqueline.colland@email.stvincent.edu