Prevention And Diversion
What Is The Prevention And Diversion Program?
The PAD program works with students who demonstrate social, behavioural/educational issues, through interventions that encourage youth to resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
The interventions provided by the program within the school environment increases the youth’s confidence thus increasing their desire to remain in school. The more involved a youth is within their school environment, the greater the likelihood of success in completing their education.
How Does The Program Work?
Students are referred to the PAD program by teachers, guidance counsellors, principals, vice principals and/or the police. They are assessed for risk factors to determine the appropriate intervention. These interventions can include one to one support or peer mediation.
One to one support offers the following:
- Social Skills Training
- Anger Management
- Other Outside Community Resources
Peer Mediation involves using trained youth mediators to encourage the students who are in conflict, through a resolution that meets all parties’ needs.
The ultimate goal of these interventions is to see pro-social behaviours and youth engagement in the resolution.
Why Does The John Howard Society Run This Program?
Through the diversion strategies outlined, schools will have alternatives to suspending youth that have displayed inappropriate behaviours. The result is better school engagement and attachment; reduced rates of suspension and expulsion, and reduced charges resulting from school conflict.
Who Is Eligible?
- At-risk students, ages 12-17 that have demonstrated behavioural and/or social issues requiring conflict resolution
