LifeSkills Program
LifeSkills Makes a Difference to Area Teens
Over 800 sixth grade students in Fairfield,
Hocking, Licking, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Vinton counties finished up their
coursework about the dangers of tobacco use and the value of good life choices
through a program called LifeSkills.
This is the first year that LifeSkills has been offered to regional
schools through the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation .
Through the Southeastern Ohio Regional Tobacco Consortium, over a
thousand youth in
These efforts have had an impact in decreasing not only tobacco use rates, but creating a generation of youth who are tobacco free and standing up for what they believe in. According to National Health Promotions Associates, Inc, LifeSkills has been scientifically researched with the results proving that it can reduce the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and drug use by as much as 87 percent. LifeSkills has also been shown to reduce violent and aggressive behavior.
The curriculum consists of 15 class sessions dealing with topics like self-image, smoking, violence, coping with anxiety and communications skills. Many schools lack the resources and staff to address these skills that teens need to make positive life choices. By offering the LifeSkills program, the Licking County Health Department is able to fill a void in the student’s lives.
Students learn through interactive activities, videos, experiments, and role playing. Some teachers incorporate homework assignments related to the topic. When funds are available students receive incentives to remind them of the lessons learned and to prompt them to share the lesson with their parents.
Schools participating:
 |
Lakewood |
|
|
Linnville Lighthouse Afterschool Program |
|
|
YES Clubhouse |
|
|
Johnstown-Monroe (Beginning fall 2008) |