Reconnecting Youth
Reconnecting Youth is a peer-group approach to building life skills for at-risk high school students. The course is designed to foster personal and social skills such as self-esteem, healthy decision making, personal control, and interpersonal communication. Participants are encouraged to provide positive support for others through acceptance, motivation, caring, problem solving, listening, and shared group responsibilities. Program goals include personal responsibility for improved school attendance and performance, healthy choices around substance use, and increased ability to manage their moods. Reconnecting Youth is typically a one-semester class that meets every other day. Students receive a grade and school credit.
Reconnecting Youth is for at-risk high school students who have a 2.3 GPA or lower or who are behind in credits for their grade level. School personnel can also refer students in the top 25% for absences, who are suspected or known drug users, or who are at risk for dropping out of school. Reconnecting Youth is not designed for students who need residential drug treatment or students with very serious behavior problems.
Since 1998, Reconnecting Youth has been offered to hundreds of students in Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills, Corinth, Galway, Mechanicville, Saratoga Springs, South Glens Falls, and Stillwater.
Student Assistance Program and General Counseling
The Prevention Council offers counseling services in various schools throughout Saratoga County via its Student Assistance Program and General Counseling Programs. The purpose of both programs is to provide treatment and early intervention counseling services to at-risk youth in participating school districts. Students can seek out counselors on their own, or they may be referred by school personnel. Any school district can contract with the Prevention Council for counseling services for any and all grade levels, Pre-K-12.For more information about the Council’s clinical services, please contact Counseling Services Director Patty Kilgore at 518-581-1230 ext. 3628