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A review of a Community Youth Development Program design to help build leadership skills.
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FAST FORWARD
A Review of the FAST Curriculum@ the TACOLCY Center
Here’s The Story….
Youth who are suspended from school are:–Bad–Disrespectful–Cause Problems–Destined to Dropout–Delinquent
But Are They?
Is it possible to view Youth through a different lens?
Is It Possible…..
That Youth are:ExpressiveInnovativeFuture LeadersAn Investment
This Presentation…
Examines a Shift in THINKING about:
• Youth as PROBLEMS or
• Youth as POWERFUL,
Agents of Change
Challenged To Make A Difference
The FAST ModelThis presentation will review a teaching MODEL
called FAST: Families Assistance with Suspension and Termination
It is used for Youth who are frequently suspended from school.
But, does it work to reduce at-risk behaviors and,
Can it be implemented to Empower Youth to re-engage in school?
FAST Program ToDay
IS:• An alternative to Outdoor Suspension• A learning model that equips scholars with life
skills that addresses behavior modification• The Making Excellent Choices Curriculum• A Character Education training program
Youth Recruitment• Youth in FAST are:– referred to TACOLCY as a result of being suspended
from school for 3-10 days– Disproportionately Black & Latino males
• Top 5 Causes for Suspension are:1.Disruptive Behavior (exactly, what is this?)2.Fighting3.Truancy/ Skipping4.Smoking/Distribution of Marijuana5.Stealing
Being Suspended….
• Has a Negative Stigma• Dictates that Youth are Bad and should be
removed from school• Separates Youth from their Education• Sends a Disempowered message to Youth• Says, Youth are Not welcome
Families Have 2 Choices
1. Youth stay home from school
Or
2. Youth experience the FAST program at TACOLCY
Statistics Suggest…..
Should We Be Concerned?
Should We Be Asking WHY?
• Increasing rates of youth are suspended in the public schools.
• Reasons are more & more outrageous.
• Are Youth rights being violated?
• Should we be advocating for policy changes?
Can FAST Do More?
FAST is A:
Movement 2 Positive Development
Victims 2 Advocates
A Shift in Thinking
Moving 4ward
Cultivating Leaders Must B Deliberate
How Can We Empower Youth
How Do We…..
• Expose Youth Value and
• Shift Public Thinking– about Youth as the Future
• Create a SPACE………………– to explore school policies around suspension
• Think about WHAT could be Different
We CAN…..
UTILIZE Technology
We CAN…
Use MOVIES to promote messages
We CAN….Change the Discourse to
Give Youth Voice & Choice
Encourage Youth Expression
College/Career Experiences
Youth As:
•Peer Educators•Mayor’s Youth Council•Youth Advisory Council•Youth Board Members•Youth Action Teams•Youth Research Teams•Youth Producers
Youth Empowerment Strategies
Strengthen Youth-Adult Partnerships
Be True to the Process
Lessons Through Leadership
Identity Development, Identity Support
Help youth understand who they are, where they came from, and what their heritage offers them.Armed with an understanding of their own identity, young people can appreciate their own cultures, understand how historic injustices affect them, and use this knowledge to make positive changes.
(Lewis-Charp, Yu, Soukamneuth & Lacoe, 2003
Cultural Connections
Civic Activism
Civic activism provides a forum for youth
to reflect on and address the day-to-day
challenges faced by them, their families and
communities.
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”- MLK, Jr.
MISSION POSSIBLEThe Shift from Youth
as Problems to Youth as Leaders is Mission Possible.
The Time is NOW!!!!!
We Need to Move FAST
Empowered Youth Lead
