• Price: $800.00
• Dates: February 12 – April 8, 2018
• Professors: Alex Fizz and Scott Heydt
• Location: Online. The course will be available 24 hours a day.

This course will examine in great detail the most significant at-risk behaviors involving young people today. We will explore the physical, psychological and social implications of these potentially destructive behaviors. Topics will include current trends in the use/abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by young people today. We will look in depth at concerns around childhood and adolescent depression and suicide. We will examine grief, trauma and loss and the effect on learning. Another area of concern for educators today is violence and bullying. It is critical we understand the causes, markers and strategies that work to mitigate this pressing issue. Self-injury and eating disorders also affect some young people today. We will explore the signs and symptoms and what educators can and can’t do. Intervention efforts with each area of concern and with each individual student will be based on Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets (DA) model and on the Positive Behavioral Instruction and Support (PBIS) model, which we will label and understand as “Strength Based Intervention”. Each topic will be addressed through large group instruction, large and small group discussion, video clips and personal reflection. Plans will be developed by participants so they may be better prepared to identify and address at-risk behaviors they suspect in their students. We will stress the fact that educators are not treatment providers but by having a working knowledge of at-risk behaviors they are better prepared to identify and refer to the proper resources.