We are excited to announce that Youth Empowerment Solutions, which was developed and tested in Flint, MI to empower youth to make changes in their community to address violence, is now being adapted to address teen dating violence and is being implemented in middle schools in Wayne County, MI.
Dr. Poco Kernsmith and Dr. Joanne Smith-Darden from the Wayne State University School of Social Work are adapting the YES curriculum to address teen dating violence and promote healthy relationships. YES for Healthy Relationships (YES-HR) is a four-year project that will implement YES in three Wayne County middle schools to evaluate its effectiveness in promoting positive youth development and reducing TDV. In the first year, we will be adapting the Curriculum to address teen dating violence and sexual violence. Beginning in the second year, the YES-HR Curriculum will be implemented in the three intervention schools. Evaluation will occur during the second and third year.
We are looking forward to working closely with Dr. Kernsmith and Dr. Smith-Darden and expanding and adapting the YES program.
If you are interested in implementing or adapting a YES program for your community, please contact us.