Pathways to Self-Discovery and Change
This is a 3-phased, 32 session evidence based cognitive behavioral substance abuse program targeted for youth with co-occurring problems with criminal conduct and substance abuse. The curriculum was specifically developed for juvenile offenders with a substance abuse problem. The youth's interest is engendered through the use of richly illustrated narrative stories of youth who struggle with multiple elements of risk. Role-playing, modeling, action skits and small group discussions provide the basis for practicing an arsenal of thinking and action skills designed to promote comfortable and responsible living, free of substance abuse and crime. The goals of the program are to improve communication, deal with cravings and urges, develop a sense of empathy and personal responsibility to others, overcome prejudice, zero in on negative thinking, manage feelings, and develop a sense of personal identity and understand the importance of intimacy in our lives. Pathways to self-discovery is currently used in residential, outpatient and drug court settings and is being implemented in the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Facilities as well.