![]() ![]() ![]() The intensity, frequency and duration of the program distinguishes the Medgar Evers’ program. The EYES fitness and wellness model at CUNY–Medgar Evers demonstrates convincingly that a targeted program of exercise and nutrition results in substantial weight loss and reduced BMIs in minority youth. Moreover, the outstanding health outcomes in YEP in the areas of reproductive health, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and anti-violence programming imply that the development of assets is one factor that may contribute to altering these important youth behaviors. Improved academic outcomes, such as graduation rates, grade promotion, and performance indicators, suggest better futures for YEP students. Role models, advising, academic support, mentorship, and individualized developmental plans are important elements in YEP activities that develop youth assets. The data indicates that YEP programming stabilizes and, in many cases, reverses the normal decline in youth assets seen in adolescence. Summary of Youth Resiliency & Protective FactorsĪll YEP grantees build youth assets, resiliency, and protective factors. Accordingly, both approaches appear to be effective in reducing risky substance abuse behaviors. In addition, Stone Child College’s PEAK Project provides a comprehensive ATOD prevention curriculum. Both of these successful YEP models – at Swarthmore College and Stone Child College – utilize a youth asset development model to address substance abuse. Summary of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco AbuseĬollectively, the preliminary data suggest a positive effect of YEP programming to reduce substance abuse and risky behaviors. Cumulatively, these three factors appear to decrease negative behaviors and reduce violence. Third, increased resiliency assets, protective factors, and educational outcomes likely have a strong effect on reducing risky behavior. Second, the YEP provides curricula that addresses impulse control and conflict resolution allowing YEP students to have healthier interactions with peers. First, minority students engage in positive after-school activities at times when other youth are prone to being involved in more negative behaviors. Three factors are hypothesized as effecting that change. Using preliminary measures of school suspensions, school disciplinary incidents, and arrests, the YEP positively affects behavior and reduces violent tendencies. The development of personal assets has been shown to correlate with a reduction of risky behaviors and an increase in positive, healthy behaviors, including those that address reproductive health. Indeed, at the University of Utah statistically significant asset improvements in problem solving, cultural pride, self-efficacy, family communication, school bonding, personal development, wellness, nutrition, injury prevention, and self-perception profile have been reported. An additional explanation is that the YEP develops positive resiliency, protective, and developmental factors, which facilitate healthy behaviors. Certainly, direct educational programming in reproductive health is one factor. ![]() For Youth Empowerment Programs, and especially Latinas Adelante, these impressive outcomes are due to the comprehensive nature of the programs. Summary of Reproductive HealthĬollectively, the low rates observed across the YEP for both teen live births and STDs suggest a positive effect of the YEP to decrease risky sexual behaviors in at-risk minority youth, and demonstrate a significant return on investment. Preliminary data from all 17 YEP grantees provide early evidence that points to the conclusion that the Youth Empowerment Program is working.
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