Families in Action is committed to the development of the nation’s youth and as such we have designed the Student Assistance Programme. We recognize that the development of teenagers must also involve those who are entrusted with their care and supervision. As such the Student Assistance Programme includes five components that take into consideration, students, teachers and parents:

• Peer Counselling

• Forum for Youth Advancement (FYA)

• Confident Parenting Programme & Network

• Teacher Sensitization Workshops

• Other Youth Services

Goal:
To achieve the holistic development of young people, to allow for their development as productive members of the community.

PEER COUNSELLING

This programme is funded by the JB Fernandes Trust I

The Peer Counselling programme was founded on the belief that teenagers can be empowered to assist their peers and help them develop positive attitudes and behaviours.

Its objectives are:

• To help participants develop peer counselling techniques.

• To provide students with information about issues relevant to them.

• To provide a comfortable forum for young people to share their opinions and experiences.

• To help students become leaders.

20 – 25 Students are selected for each programme based on their maturity, sense of responsibility and influence among their peers.

The programme consists of an average of ten (10) sessions and will be tailored to meet the needs of the school. During the programme, students will participate in sessions in some or all of the following modules:

• Developing Trust and Effective Listening Skills

• Development of Self-esteem and Confidence

• Anger Management

• Conflict Resolution.

• Managing Peer Pressure.

• Communicating with Parents and other Authority Figures

• Stress Management

• Sexuality

• Spirituality

• Effective Time Management and Study Skills.

• Goal setting

• Substance Abuse

The sessions employ various formats, including lectures, music, group discussions, individual and group exercises, role-playing, questionnaires, games, guest presenters and handouts.

Schools that have participated in the Peer Counselling Programme include:

• Holy Cross College

• Diego Martin Junior Secondary

• St. George’s College

• Belmont Junior Secondary

• Malabar Composite

• Brazil High School

• Naparima College

• Trinity College

FORUM for YOUTH ADVANCEMENT (FYA)

Rationale & Objectives

This forum was designed on the premise that young people can advance their development, educationally, emotionally and mentally when they are able to express themselves without fear of negative feedback or being judged, and when they are exposed to activities and information that address shortcomings in their social skills.

The groups' objectives are:

• To provide a forum for the average teenager to discuss and determine solutions to teenage problems.

• To provide positive recreational activities.

• To develop positive social and coping skills in teenagers.

• To reinforce the value of academic development by assisting students to embrace positive study techniques.

• To enhance the students’ performance in certain subject areas by providing tutors to assist with coaching.

Target Group

Students who wish to develop and/or enhance their academic, social and coping skills and wish to discuss issues that affect them.

Criteria for selecting participants

Underachievers, students with discipline problems, withdrawn students, students with difficulties coping with family situations.

What’s it all about?

Group consisting of twenty (20) students each will be facilitated by Families in Action's facilitators. In the groups, students have an opportunity to discuss issues affecting them with their peers, as well as receive emotional and social support and feedback from the group to improve their social and coping skills. The groups attend field trips, compete against each other in friendly sporting activities as well as other forms of positive entertainment such as movie days, fun day, field trips etc.

Time & Duration

The groups will meet once a week for an entire school term.

OTHER SERVICES

We at Families in Action recognize that situations may arise at individual schools or even in individual classes, which may require some intervention, which Families in Action can provide. To assist in this area we also offer:

• One-on-one counselling

• Group Counselling

• Awareness campaigns

• Educational seminars and presentations

Through the provision of these services, FIA aims to:

• Increase students' knowledge about issues that affect them

• Build healthy and positive attitudes regarding these issues

• Empower students to make informed decisions

• Offer counselling and referral services to students

Description

We offer the following services:

• One-on-one counselling for troubled students and referrals for serious cases.

• Presentations on issues such as drug use and abuse; sexuality; managing anger; sexual and physical abuse (including incest); self-esteem.

• Career Guidance Workshops.

Important note

For one-on-one counselling services for students, Families In Action will accept referrals from:

• The parent or guardian of the affected student.

• The teacher(s) in charge of the Peer Counselling Programme if other than the guidance officer.

• The principal of the school (or the person acting in his/her absence).

• Ministry official

Referrals for group counselling will be accepted from:

• Guidance officers

• Teachers

• Vice principals

• Ministry official