Much troubled behavior results as youth "import" problems that originate in the family or community, thus displacing conflicts on neutral parties. Such outside stressors can overwhelm a youth and contaminate relationships with well-meaning persons. LSCI is designed to deal with such situations through a "red-flag intervention." This article shows…

This first person account opens a window onto the inner world of a troubled youth. This narrative describes a young boy's personal account of being dropped off at a facility for troubled youth, in hopes that his behavior will change.

Children with emotional challenges have often been seen as victims, but seldom as survivors. Persons who are able to overcome adversity can be strengthened by this experience as shown in this account of a youth struggling to surmount a traumatic life.

In this article, the author proposes a family systems approach, where parents and children alike follow relationship rules that allow no intimidating verbal abuse or physical abuse. Many children who are socially and emotionally disabled, with no presenting biological cause, are often such due to the discomfort they experience in their world of…

This article describes a teacher's experience with a child who had emotional and behavioral problems in the regular classroom. At the beginning of first grade, the student had a negative reputation with the staff based on his previous behavior. The teacher shares ways in which the child was given support in school. Generosity, belonging, mastery,…

Therapeutic change is seldom a neat pathway of progress. In fact, some children may temporarily display more problems as they strive to replace old ways of coping with more adaptive behaviors. This article describes a study of nine stages many troubled youngsters experience as they struggle to find a new positive identity. These changes are not…

High levels of disruptive behavior, discipline referrals, and suspensions are among the symptoms of schools which have lost the bonds of respect. Educators face major challenges in transforming these school cultures. This article describes how restorative practices were implemented in certain southeastern Pennsylvania schools. The process of…

Campbell Loughmiller (1906-1993) is widely recognized as a leader in therapeutic work with troubled youngsters in outdoor settings. Rejecting punitive or institutional models of intervention, Loughmiller set out to demonstrate that every young person has strengths, desires to make positive changes, can grow in responsibility, and contribute to…

A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is mandated when schools deal with students presenting problems that lead to suspension or exclusion. The authors present a strength-based model for FBAs developed in a New York school for students with emotional and behavior problems. The Circle of Courage needs for Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and…

Programs desiring to offer true alternatives for troubled children and youth can focus efforts through a developmental lens. Adults who focus their intervention decisions through beliefs based on healthy social-emotional developmental theory and practice provide a strength-based alternative, a sturdy foundation, and an oasis of hope for youth to…

Child and Youth Care (CYC) workers use the natural living and learning environment to create therapeutic experiences for young people with emotional and behavioral problems. Originally working in the therapeutic milieu of residential settings, CYC workers now operate in family, community, and school-based prevention and treatment programs. This…

Brain research opens new frontiers in working with children and youth experiencing conflict in school and community. Blending this knowledge with resilience science offers a roadmap for reclaiming those identified as "at risk." This article applies findings from resilience research and recent brain research to identify strategies for reaching…

A social worker and a psychologist, working with troubled youth in a day treatment setting, describe unique ways to use the concepts of Positive Peer Culture (PPC) to facilitate groups from the elementary to high school levels. The authors have adapted the well-known PPC concepts and incorporated them into their strength-based program, SPLASH, to…

The Academy For Learning (AFL) serves urban students with emotional and behavioral problems. Through a Personal and Social Responsibility program, students develop skills for personal growth and service learning. Many alternative programs for troubled students offer little more than a curriculum for containment and control. In contrast, students…

This article describes a new training curriculum for educators, youth workers, and mentors which draws from research and best practices in positive youth development and positive behavior support. Response Ability Pathways or RAP focuses on three practical interventions: connect to others for support, clarify challenging problems, and restore…