Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum

For organizations that serve children ages: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Youth aged 12-18

For children/adolescents ages: 12 - 18

The Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum is a free 14-module life skill curriculum.

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

It can be accessed via download from the National Runaway Safeline website (https://www.1800runaway.org/prevention-education/lets-talk-runaway-prevention-curriculum) or by CD-ROM upon request.

Sarah Allen

• Title: Director of Crisis Services
• Agency/Affiliation: National Runaway Safeline
• Website: www.1800runaway.org/prevention-education/lets-talk-runaway-prevention-curriculum
• Email: sallen@1800runaway.org

Brad Potts

• Title: Resource Coordinator / Crisis Services Supervisor
• Agency/Affiliation: National Runaway Safeline
• Website: www.1800runaway.org/prevention-education/lets-talk-runaway-prevention-curriculum
• Email: bpotts@1800runaway.org
• Phone: 773-289-1730

The goals of the program are:

• 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 essential components of the Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum are:

• Group curriculum with a recommended group size of 10-15 youth
• Curriculum covers 14 life areas:
• Communication & Listening
• Adolescent Development
• Personal Influence
• Peers & Healthy Relationships
• 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.

Child/Adolescent Services

Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum directly provides services to children and addresses the following:

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

Recommended Intensity

Weekly 45-minute sessions

Recommended Duration

14 weeks

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
• Group or Residential Care
• School Setting (Including: Day Care, Day Treatment Programs, etc.)

Homework

This program does not include a homework component.

Languages

Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum has materials available in the following languages 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 in this page).

Resources Needed to Run Program

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

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

There are no minimum educational requirements for providing this curriculum, anyone can use it.

Manual Information

There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Training Information

There is training available for this program.

Training Contact

Training Type/Location:

“Train the Trainer” training can be obtained by contacting National Runaway Safeline.

Number of days/hours:

3-5 hours

• There are currently no published, peer-reviewed research studies on outcomes with the appropriate target population for the topic area(s) in which Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum has been reviewed.

There are currently no references available for Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum.