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STEP (SACY Teen Engagement Program)


                                         

                                                                                  STEP One-Pager 

   

STEP (SACY Teen Engagement Program):

The SACY Teen Engagement Program (STEP) is a structured, three-day program that incorporates education, information, visioning and skill building focused on health promotion and prevention. It can be used in different ways: Many students chose to come to STEP to learn and develop strategies for positive growth. Some attend, often as a group, to gain knowledge and leadership training that can be implemented - as they choose and feel is appropriate - in their schools. Additionally, STEP is an excellent resource that can serve as an alternative to traditional suspension.

STEP facilitates activities and discussions in areas such as:

  • Adolescent development
  •  Critical thinking skills/decision making
  •  Exploring interests and goals
  •  Health education and risk assessment related to alcohol and drugs
  •  Personal boundaries and values
  •  Healthy relationships; friendships, peer groups, adult allies
  •  Roles and responsibilities in family during teen years
  •  Understanding how substance use relates to community, law, and VSB policy

The program is tailored to provide opportunities for youth to make connections with adults who will be supportive as they reflect on the issues that are relevant to them.

SACY believes that “Connection is Prevention”. STEP promotes this philosophy by:

  •  Focusing on the interests and assets of youth through open and honest dialogue
  • Supporting schools by offering groups of youth education and health promotion skills that benefit the greater community
  • Ensuring that participants have access to youth-friendly community involvement and services
  • Connecting with parents and caregivers before, during and after STEP

Knowledge Builder Groups

Periodically school communities, with STEP, offer the opportunity for a group of students to attend the STEP Knowledge Builder program to spend some time reflecting on resiliency and healthy decisions, their personal values, friendships, and goal setting. There are many benefits for the individual and the greater school community to having a group of youth explore areas of health promotion that are relevant for students. 


Knowledge Builder Groups focus on young people’s strengths, and encourage students to consider things they are curious about as a way to discover their passions. Students explore their goals and have the opportunity to develop plans for making positive choices in their lives and communities that are right for them.  

Parents:

  • STEP is an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Parents click here for more information about STEP.
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  • STEP has a parent component, the SACY Adult Toolkit. The work your son or daughter will do at STEP can be supported and made more effective by the approach you take at home over the coming weeks and months.

Administrators:  

Referrals:

Referrals are accepted until 12:00pm on Mondays for a Tuesday start. Referrals received after noon on Monday will be processed for the following week. Upon receiving referral requests, we will contact you to confirm a start date.

 

SACY Teen Engagement Program - STEP Contact Information

STEP Coordinator: Tanya Hautala

STEP Facilitator: Keshia Cleaver

STEP Co-Facilitator: Sandie Rai

Ph. 604-612-8959
Email: sacystep@vsb.bc.ca
Fax 604-713-5901  


Testimonials:

step stream
 

I didn't think I would like it. I thought it would be a
seminar-  leaders only told you how drugs are bad,
don't drink etc. Instead of telling you not to do bad
things, STEP helped me gain a better understanding
of things, my surroundings, myself.  
- STEP Youth Participant     

[STEP] made me feel good and activities were
pretty personal made me think over life.               
- STEP Youth Participant 

It was great to have people that could so
quickly evaluate what and why you have
different problems in your life. And were a
great help to understanding myself.     
- STEP Youth Participant

I have witnessed students who have gone
to the STEP program alter their behaviour
and come back to school with a new focus.

- Principal
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