Creating Safe Spaces:Building Life Skills with the Let’s

Talk Curriculum

Lindsey Kahney

Prevention Specialist

National Runaway Safeline

Teens and Stress

National Runaway Safeline

Mission: To Keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets

NRS Services

1-800-RUNAWAY

• Confidential 24/7 hotline

• Non-judgmental/non-directive

• Trauma-informed, solution focused intervention

• Conference Call and Message Service

1800runaway.org

• Interactive live chat

• Crisis forum and email services

• Text Services – connect to hotline

• Areas of Info and tips for youth, parents and educators

• Comprehensive Research

• Order free prevention and education materials

Information and Referral Services

NRS maintains a national database of over 9,000 agencies and services

Emergency and long-term housing

Basic Needs – food, clothing, etc..

Transportation

Treatment – health, mental health, substance abuse

Home Free Program

Partnership with Greyhound Lines

Reunites runaway youth 12-17 with parent/guardian

Assists runaway and homeless youth 18-21 in stabilizing themselves with supportive family member and/or independent living programs; this includes survivors of human trafficking

Identify or accept referral to local supportive services

Curriculum Goals:

Build life skills

Educate about alternatives to running away

Encourage youth to access and seek help from trusted community members

Increase knowledge about runaway/homeless/at-risk youth resources

Audience:

Youth ages 12-20

Where is it being used:

Schools, Youth Groups, Afterschool, Youth shelters, juvenile justice services, community centers

AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

Curriculum Updates

Working with Native American Populations

Includes listings of tribal government agencies, Tribal Youth Programs, and other supportive pathways for youth and families

Trauma Informed Interventions

Curriculum was developed recognizing many youth may be impacted by trauma and avoiding any re-traumatization

Caution icons for facilitators and additional resources provided

FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE AT

1800RUNAWAY.org

14 Modules

Communication and Listening

Peers and Healthy Relationships

Families – Roles and Responsibilities

Runaway RealityAnger Management

Community Response and Responsibility

Drugs & AlcoholSexuality & Sexual Orientation

Who’s On Your Bus?Directions: THINK about if you could fill a bus with the people in your life who are most important when it comes to making decisions about your life, who would be on that bus?

Activity Review: Decision Tree

Assists youth in gaining problem solving skills

Activity Review: Healthy Relationships

Gives youth a chance to have discussions on what they think are healthy and unhealthy traits in relationships

Facilitation Tips

Establish classroom guidelines for behavior – create a safe space

Always review the module prior to facilitating – take note of the module icons

Allow youth to participate as they feel comfortable – offer different options

Consider room layout, especially for specific activities

Be a good listener, and remember silence is okay!

Be prepared for some conversations to bring up issues for some youth

Let’s Talk Curriculum Benefits

Can be implemented by activity, module or in its entirety – very user friendly and adaptable

Provides additional resources, worksheets and handouts for learning

Pre/Post Tests available

Can lend to leadership opportunities for youth/peer-led learning

Support life skills acquisition and prevention efforts

Can be included in service learning, as well as a complement to existing curricula

NRS offers technical assistance to all RPC users

Information We Collect

Pre/Post Test from agencies utilizing any parts of the curriculum

Group Demographic forms

Satisfaction Surveys

Incentives available for those returning demographic forms and/or tests

KIDS CALL ACTIVITY• Allows sites nationwide to welcome

NRS into their group at no charge

• Allows youth to ask questions and learn more about NRS services

• Alleviates the anxiety of calling the hotline

• Groups can even do a mock call!

@1800RUNAWAY National Runaway Safeline

Lindsey KahneyPrevention Specialist773.289.1723

3141 B N Lincoln AvenueChicago IL 60657prevention@1800RUNAWAY.org

1-800-RUNAWAY (24-hour hotline) 1800RUNAWAY.org (website)