A Better Way was designed to teach anger and conflict management strategies to youth 12 — 18 years of age who are involved in the juvenile justice system (on probation) for the first time and have demonstrated problems controlling their anger.
Youth may be referred to the program by probation officers, Family Court, social service providers or administrators of programs who also serve this population. Youth are assigned to small groups (no more than 13 participants per group) divided by age ranging from 12 — 14 and 15 — 18 years old. The training is conducted during school and/or after-school hours at sites throughout the city and delivered by instructors trained in effective anger and conflict management.
Each participant receives, and is responsible for completing, a workbook of activities and assignments. The workbook serves as a tangible document that can be shown to probation officers, social service providers and/or Family Court judges to confirm participant’s competency. Upon successful completion of the training program, a certificate of competency in anger and conflict management skills is issued to each participant.
A Better Way Anger and Conflict Management Training utilizes cooperative and group learning principles, requiring positive face-to-face interactions among group members to achieve goals and complete tasks. Through trust building exercises, role-playing and group discussions, participants will develop skills to help implement alternative ways of dealing with conflict. Participants will also examine the role conflict plays in their lives and the purpose it serves for them. The program will challenge the concept of conflict as a vehicle for anger and present it as a resource for change.
The typical training program is designed as eight, 1 1/2 hour sessions delivered on a weekly basis and leading to a certificate of competency in effective anger and conflict management. In some cases, the program may be customized to meet the needs of a specific organization. Topics of discussion and training focus areas include:
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Defining and Understanding Conflict
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Conflict Cycle: Escalation to De-escalation
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Examining Core Beliefs and Attitudes
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Identifying Conflict and Coping Styles
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Communication & Listening Skills
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Managing Anger and Aggression
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Problem Solving Skills
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Displaying Skills in Effectively Resolving Conflicts
After successfully completing A Better Way, participants will:
- Understand the causes of conflict and gain fundamental skills to effectively manage the anger/aggression that may occur because of it, thereby becoming less likely to resort to violence as a solution to conflicts.
- Gain effective techniques to promote critical thinking and sound decision-making skills.
- Avoid potentially anti-social situations and associate with more pro-social peer groups.
The youth serviced by A Better Way, who range in age from 12 to 18 years, are referred to the program from the Juvenile Justice System. The program receives referrals from probation officers for youth who have been identified as having difficulty dealing with their anger in nonviolent ways. Many of the referrals to A Better Way are a result of school suspensions, troubles at home or in the community as a result of their difficulty with managing their feelings of anger.
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General Contact Information:
Bette Kennedy
Program Director
227 North 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone (215) 665-8777
Fax (215) 665-8821
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