ART is an intensive ten-week life-skills program in which the youth attends one-hour group sessions three times per week.  In these sessions, participants gain tools that allow them to solve problems, make decisions, and interact positively in social situations.  The ART curriculum consists of three components: Structured Learning Training (The Behavior Component), Anger Control Training (The Emotional Component), and Moral Reasoning (The Values Component).

• Structured Learning Training - Is the teaching of a series of interpersonal skills that address various social situations and is an alternative to aggressive behavior.  An example of a few of the skills being taught would be: "Making a Complaint", "Keeping out of Fights", and "Understanding the Feelings of Others".  Each youth will role-play the skill in group and, with practice and feedback, will progress to using the skill outside the classroom.
• Anger Control Training - The focus is on teaching youth self-control in dealing with their anger.  Techniques for reducing and managing feelings of anger in difficult situations are introduced and role-played.  The goal is to empower the youth through positive anger control methods.  This enables them to have a variety of options in dealing with a problem rather than the single option of aggression.
• Moral Reasoning - A new problem situation is presented to the group each week, with each group member responding to questions to the moral dilemma presented in the scenario.  This component is designed to help correct the youth's thinking errors and lead him or her to see there are other ways of acting in different situations.  Throughout the group discussion, youth are exposed to the different perspectives of other group members.  The purpose of the discussion is to facilitate mature reasoning in order for the youth to make more mature decisions in social situations.  The group does not teach values.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools - Project 180 is planning on implementing the ART curriculum at the school sites by having teachers and counselors to infuse the curriculum into High School Opportunity and Retention classes. The ART curriculum will be part of the pro-social skills training that Project 180 will be utilizing as a prevention and intervention tool for at-risk youth. There are two separate curriculums that the ART program offers for different age groups. The first curriculum is less intense than the second curriculum which focuses on students 8-12 years old and only includes two of the ART components. The second curriculum is focused on students 13-18 years old which includes all three components of the ART curriculum.    
The training for facilitators is a 2 day training class that will be hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and the Probation Department on July 8-9, 2008.  The cost of the training per facilitator is $880 which includes training materials that will be given to the facilitators at the end of the training, food, trainer fees and handouts.  Scholarship slots are available based on priority criterion established to increase the capacity to deliver this program in high priority areas across Kern County.
The students conduct and performance will be monitored by counselors, teachers, and Project 180 staff.  For more information contact Sal Arias, Prevention Specialist-Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office at 661-636-4242.

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