1. Is Training for staff necessary?
No, but it is beneficial for the staff, because they learn to utilize the ARISE curriculum much more effectively. At the training, they learn the ARISE formula which enables them to teach any of our 260 different topics. They learn important group facilitation skills and how to develop a lesson plan to engage the youth.
▲ back to top
2. What does a typical youth session look like?
a. It should consist of 8-12 youth
b. Usually 1 hour
c. ARISE groups sessions should have an Introduction, Guided Group Discussion, Activity/Worksheet, and a Conclusion/Wrap-up.
d. Fifty Percent of the lessons should engage the youth in interactive group discussions. During the training, we spend a great deal of time on how to develop a guided group discussion that promotes interaction and group participation.
e. The lesson should have interactive activities. Activities can range from role plays, creating a rap or poem, filling out a survey or other written assignments.
f. The instructor should facilitate the lesson with a positive attitude and give plenty of positive feedback to participants.
▲ back to top
3. What topics are included in the 260 topics?
The 260 different topics range from self esteem, to anger management, decisions making, violence and conflict resolution, learning strategies, time management, pregnancy prevention, etc.. For a complete list, we encourage you to go through all our curricula online: http://at-riskyouth.org/category/store/printed/p-teens.
▲ back to top
4. Do you have to be certified to teach the ARISE Life Skills curricula?
No, but we encourage staff to become certified ARISE Life Skills Group Facilitators. The staff and the youth you work with will benefit from it. There are many options to accomplish this. We have a 5 day master training. This is a train the trainer approach. The master trainer can train all other staff in your facility to be certified life skills facilitators. Here is the link to the package of materials that participants receive within the cost of the training: http://at-riskyouth.org/staff-training/life-skills-instructor-training/training-package.
▲ back to top
5. Is your curriculum and staff training evidenced based?
Yes, ARISE curriculum materials are evidenced based. Here is the link to view the evidenced based information: http://at-riskyouth.org/about/evidence-based-studies/
▲ back to top
6. How long should a manual last?
Depending on the teaching style of an instructor, a manual with three sections should last about 2 ½ months if teaching three sessions per week. This may vary because some of the activities take longer than others.
▲ back to top
7. Is this material good to work with youth at a mental health facility?
Yes, mental health facilities have indicated that they often learn more about the youth from the ARISE interactive group sessions than they do in one on one therapy.
▲ back to top
8. Is ARISE curricula good for youth with low reading and writing skills?
Yes, ARISE material generates high interest and is presented on a low reading level.
▲ back to top
9. Is it necessary to complete the lessons in a specified order?
Many instructors start with the first lesson in the book and teach all the consecutive lessons. This is not necessary. Every lesson stands on its own – good for the youth that come in and out of a program.
▲ back to top
10. Do you need any additional material to conduct the lesson?
No, the lessons are self-contained, and no additional material is needed. However, we do recommend using the ARISE Positivity cards.
▲ back to top
