The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Youth aged 12-18.

The Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum is a free 14-module life skill curriculum. The goals of the program are to:

• build life skills.
• increase knowledge about runaway resources and prevention.
• educate about alternatives to running away.
• encourage youth to access and seek help from trusted community members.

The curriculum can be used in its entirety or as individual 45-minute modules. It includes the companion film, 1-800-RUNAWAY.

The Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum covers 14 life areas:

• Communication & Listening
• Adolescent Development
• Personal Influence
• Peers
• Family Roles & Responsibilities
• Runaway Reality
• National Safe Connections
• Community Response & Responsibility
• Anger Management
• Stress Reduction
• Drugs & Alcohol
• Sexuality & Sexual Orientation
• Internet Safety
• Future Life Planning

The collection of easy-to-use modules combine to provide a one-of-a-kind curriculum that addresses the issues of runaway youth and is intended to affect change in future run episodes.

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Youth that may be struggling with issues that pertain to any of the fourteen modules and/or youth that may have contemplated running away.

Age range: 12 – 18

Developmental Delays:

This program was not developed for children with developmental delays, and has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum was not designed with a parent/caregiver component.

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum was designed to be conducted in a group setting; but has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

10-15 youth.

Recommended Intensity:

Weekly 45-minute sessions.

Recommended Duration:

14 weeks.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Community Agency
• Residential Care Facility
• School

This program does not include a homework component.

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum has materials available in a language other than English:

Spanish

For information on which materials are available in this language, please check on the program's website or contact the program representative (contact information is listed at the bottom of this page).

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

• Room/space
• Facilitator
• Ability to make copies for worksheets and handouts
• String, poster paper (optional), and markers/pens for youth to use for some activities

None, anyone can use it.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Lee Osipchak, Training and Education Manager
  Prevention@1800runaway.org
  phone: (773) 289-1723

Training is obtained:

"Train the Trainer" training can be obtained by contacting National Runaway Switchboard.

Number of days/hours:

3-5 hours.

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum.

No reference materials are currently available for Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum.