“Crisis Center North’s prevention education programming] taught us responsibility, how it builds trust with others. We learned how to be role models, not only in our school but society. We learned to lead by example.” – Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) High School Student
CCN’s educational programs are guided by the principles of primary prevention, the method that says incidents of violence can be prevented before they occur through research-based, ongoin,g and integrated educational programs aimed at shaping participant and community beliefs and attitudes about violence. CCN is the only documented non-profit in the country to implement optimistic bias (the belief that bad things happen to others rather than oneself) into its programming. This innovative approach increases the chance that students will take self-protective measures, thus reducing the likelihood of victimization.
During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, CCN impacted 11,614 youths in ten local schools through 386 presentations.
CCN is also proud to announce that Leon Strimel, lead CCN prevention educator, received a 2017 Governor’s Victims Service Pathfinder Award for his prevention work.
DHROO is an evidence-based program with elements from multiple proven curricula including Safe Dates, Expect Respect, and Mentors in Violence. Its goal is for students to gain knowledge, examine attitudes, and effect positive change in behaviors related to violence and relationships. The program examines student stress, self-esteem, conflicts, bullying, media-technology, and relationships. Repeated exposure to these topics can help influence and change attitudes about relationships with self and others, which can then further impact behavior. Schools are able to select from the entire 21-session program or use only specific components that fit their needs;
PPE is designed to help youth develop skills to deal with DV and dating related social justice issues and to work towards social change. Students take the initiative to be leaders and develop activities and programming for a project that will address an identified issue in their school or community during the school year. In their project, students act as peer educators on a variety of topics that relate to dating/domestic violence. Throughout the process students are trained and then supported as they create projects or conduct presentations at their area school districts. The program uses a collaborative, multi-school platform to create student leaders, again creating awareness, examining attitudes , and aiming to change response and behavior. Through this community network of students, CCN encourages participating schools to develop their own set of best practices and standards on respectful school culture. Students gather at a Spring luncheon each year, where they highlight their work and further educate their peers.
CBIM engages with young males [the group most at risk of becoming perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) in athletic settings. The program aims to decrease instances of IPV by increasing knowledge of abuse, fostering positive gender attitudes, and promoting intervention against aggressive or disrespectful behaviors. Participants act as ambassadors of CBIM, spreading its positive messages to their peers who often see athletes as school leaders and role models. In CCN’s modified program, prevention education team members facilitate conversations between the coaches and the teams but also invite other school faculty to the conversation to create the culture of change, level of respect, and accountability being sought. By facilitating the program with coaches, educators build a strong rapport with the athletes, and build coaches’ confidence in addressing issues of IPV. Engaging men and boys in thoughtful programming about violence and challenging accepted attitudes about women, has proven effective in preventing violence and increasing bystander intervention.
