Positive Strides Programs – Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent

This collection of EIGHT (8) intervention and educational programs are available to youth in the community who are not necessarily in conflict with the law, but who are at risk for harmful behaviours, and who may be struggling in school, at home, and/or within their social environments. These programs are also delivered to the youth who are enrolled in the Extrajudicial Measures (EJM) Program and Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS) Program.

Positive Strides Programs are delivered in a one-on-one format, and are tailored to the individual’s strengths, learning style and needs. Programming sessions are scheduled based on the youth and his/her family needs; if travel, transportation, or work schedules are a barrier to service, RJCK will arrange for sessions to take place at the school (with proper consents), or at a municipal service centre/library, or other service partner organization in the community in which they reside.

Referrals

Referrals for Positive Strides Programs can be made by ANYONE – including youth themselves, family members, and community partners. Please complete our simple one page referral form found here: (RJCK Referral Form). If you are having issues downloading the file, you can email info@rjck.org to receive a copy. Alternatively, you can call the RJCK office at 519-784-9616 and have a referral form completed over the phone, with assistance from staff.

Once filled out, please send the completed referral form back to RJCK – send by email to info@rjck.org

Release of Information

In order for RJCK staff to ensure the programming process runs smoothly, we often require a ‘Release of Information’ to be signed by Parents/Guardians. This ensures that we can work cooperatively with local community partners, including the youth’s school. If you do not have a hard copy and require one to complete the referral process, you can find the Release of Information document here: (Release of Information Document). Alternatively, you can email a staff team member directly, or info@rjck.org to receive a copy.

Anti-Bullying & Harassment

This program is designed to help youth understand the risks involved with participating in bullying behaviours, as they relate to self and to others (particularly those who are being bullied); this program can be geared towards not only the perpetrators of bullying, but also the victims. Youth are introduced to the different forms of bullying (physical, verbal, social, and cyber bullying), in order to expand awareness of their own actions, as well as educate them about the legal consequences and the far reaching impact that bullying can have. Action plans and tips for dealing with bullying are provided to those youth who have been on the receiving end of such behaviours. The overarching goal of this program: to educate our youth in problem resolution strategies, in order to decrease the use of bullying behaviours as the answer. Providing youth (7-17) with this opportunity for individualized programming will not only reduce the likelihood of ‘repeat’ bullying incidents, but will also foster positive social skills such as leadership, assertion, advocacy, and empathy for others.

Dealing With Emotions

This program module covers a wide range of issues that youth in our community may be struggling with openly or silently, and often face on a daily basis. The possible topic areas include: lack of positive communication skills, low self-esteem, struggling with anxiety and/or ‘low,’ depressive feelings, dealing with peer pressure, and issues with self-concept. Evidence based resources are utilized to provide youth with the tools to enhance their self-awareness, and to help identify one’s range of emotions and the impact that emotions can have on one’s life. Most importantly, they are given the tools to communicate these emotions in a healthy, safe, and positive way. Ultimately, the program gives youth the tools to reach and maintain a level of confidence, balance, and self-worth in the environments they were previously struggling in, be it at home, in school, with peer groups, or in recreational settings. This module can be tailored to youth aged 7-17, and the number of sessions and length of involvement in this program will be determined based one’s specific needs.

Managing Anger & Aggression

This is an evidence based program with up to 25 different lessons/components, structured and integrated to meet each youth’s individual needs. The program is designed to address motivation and change talk issues, as well as key assertion and communication skills, conflict resolution, coping with peer pressure, and avoiding violence. The program includes tools for addressing angry feelings, symptoms, triggers, and self-efficacy in handling anger, aggression, and violence. The Managing Anger & Aggression Program can be tailored to youth aged 7-17, and the number of sessions and length of involvement in this program will be determined based on one’s specific needs.

Caught in the Net

This program covers a wide range of issues that youth today are faced with due to ever-evolving social networking sites and apps; designed to educate on topics such as cyberbullying and sexting, along with the consequences that are associated with engaging in such behaviours online. This program is often delivered in a one-to one format of 4-6 sessions and is geared to youth aged 10-17.

NOTE: This is currently the ONLY Positive Strides Program also adapted into an interactive group presentation format; please see the flyer for the “Caught in the Net” Presentation for more details.

Working Through Worries

Now more than ever, kids and teens are worried and stressed…and it can filter into and impact every realm of their life. It is completely normal to have worries or feel stressed; but, if a youth is struggling to manage their worries and stress, it’s time to take action! In this brief 4-session ‘customizable’ program, youth (7-17) will work one-on-one with staff to gain meaningful insight, and learn new skills they can put to use immediately to tackle their worries and stress.

Teen Intervene

Teen Intervene is a brief, evidence based intervention program for youth aged 12-17 years who are suspected of experiencing mild or moderate problems associated with drugs and/or alcohol. The program strives for harm reduction, and integrates motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, and the stages of change to meet the objective of the program – to increase the youth’s readiness to change and make healthier choices. Teen Intervene helps youth to: identify the ‘roots’ behind their choices, examine the impact that substance use has on their lives, and participate in positive goal setting. This program consists of three one-hour sessions (with an optional parent component), and is delivered in a one-on-one setting so that individualized goals and personalized feedback are given for each young person’s specific needs.

Substance Use

This evidence based, in depth Substance Use Program is rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy, and uses motivational interviewing resources and techniques to assist youth aged 12-17 in achieving goals of harm reduction. This program focusses on self-discovery, understanding dependencies, understanding risk and protective factors, and the key elements of change. The program is tailored to individual needs of the youth, and so their involvement with the program can range from 8-12 one-on-one sessions. The youth will learn about denial issues and focus on their recovery by analyzing their risk and protective factors, the development of key coping and refusal skills, and the development of a safety net to reduce likelihood of relapse.

Theft & Vandalism

This program module is a brief intervention geared towards educating youth about the greater consequences of shoplifting and vandalism, allowing them to better understand ‘the ripple effect’ of their actions. This program identifies “triggers” for shoplifting and vandalism, gives feedback on how to stop shoplifting and vandalism behaviours, and discusses the various ways that shoplifting and vandalism impacts family, peers, business owners, and the community at large; instilling a sense of empathy for others. The program is often delivered in 2-3 sessions, and is comprised of interactive discussions, presentations, and educational videos aimed at deterring youth from shoplifting and engaging in vandalism in the future.