Cambios

Our special multi-session program in Spanish provide curriculum-based health education. The curriculum chosen is designed to complement community work or service learning that young people might be involved with. Our facilitators provide the curriculum-based work for this program. In addition to the curriculum-based component, the groups can be designed to increase young people's sense of leadership by involving them in community projects. If group participants are not currently involved in community service learning our facilitator is happy to support your agency in developing this component. We tailor multi-sessions to meet the needs of your group.

Curriculum Overview

Cambios was created by Cornerstone Consulting Group. It is the Spanish version of Changing Scenes, the curriculum of the researched and evaluated Teen Outreach Program (TOP). This curriculum, when used as a part of a service learning program, was sited to be "the single service learning program with the strongest evidence for a reduction in teen pregnancy."

Cambios serves as a step-by-step guide for adults who facilitate the group discussion component of the Teen Outreach Program. Through the use of age-appropriate content, current educational "best practices," and activities and materials that encourage hands-on learning, Cambios helps young people navigate the difficult and sometimes threatening journey from adolescence to young adulthood.

Goals of the curriculum

Our groups for young people are committed to: Providing young people with the knowledge they need to make effective decisions. Encouraging young people in the development of habits that are valuable and positive. Helping young people to develop a positive personal image. Supporting young people in developing future goals. Helping young people to locate and access resources for themselves and their families in the community.Cambios incorporates current research and theory on youth developmental needs; sustains young people through institutional, physical and social transitions; and supports the TOP framework, which includes community service. The curriculum employs an instructional methodology that Cornerstone Consulting calls the "quad A" approach to youth development; it is Active; Age-appropriate; Affective; Adaptable.

Structure of our Cambios Groups

Cambios includes 44 lesson plans. Based upon time available of both our facilitator and your group, we will work with your group to determine the most appropriate lessons for participants.

Cambios is structured to support students' volunteer work. The components of the program include: Community Service, Classroom Activities and Service-Learning. We provide the classroom activities component of the program. Based upon availability, interests and needs, our facilitator will work with you and the youth in your group to develop service-learning projects or community service activities to supplement curriculum. Most often, service-learning projects will be health-focused, consisting of training the young people to be advocates for their health and the health of their community. If your group is already doing other community-based projects, our facilitators will help students to integrate what they are discovering about themselves and their community into lessons.

Values that form the base of the program

The following values form the foundation of these multi-session programs:

• The responsibilities of adults in supporting youth during difficult times.
• Respect for diversity and the intolerance of prejudice and discrimination.
• The right to be safe and free from any threat, physical and emotional.
• Responsibility for your own actions and the consequences that they could have.
• The obligation to promote our own well-being as well as the well-being of our communities.