OUR PROGRAMS

The Aquarius Project uses the California Department of Education approved and research proven, Too Good for Drugs and Violence—High School Core Curriculum, integrated with the first four elements of the Too Good for Drugs and Violence -- Staff Development Educators Curriculum. This curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitude they need to remain safe and drug-free. The program is based on the latest research about resiliency, risk and protective factors; factors research has identified as critical for the successful growth and development of young people. The program provides students with the proactive support, positive role models, clear boundaries and high expectations that research has shown to be the building blocks of healthy development.

Too Good for Drugs and Violence—High School core curriculum for students, which includes fourteen, 60-minute lessons whose components are: 

1. Goal Setting 
2. Decision Making 
3. Respect for Self and Others 
4. Assertiveness 
5. Communication 
6. Conflict Resolution 
7. Managing Emotions 
8. Bonding and Relationships 
9. Tobacco 
10. Alcohol 
11. Marijuana 
12. Addiction 
13. Maximizing Life, Minimizing Stress 
14. Staying Safe and Drug Free 

Too Good for Drugs and Violence -- Staff Development is a 10-lesson, interactive curriculum specifically designed for educators. This program energizes and inspires teachers, counselors and other instructors to maximize their effectiveness and to create a classroom climate that reduces risk factors, builds protective factors and supports resiliency. The sessions are as follows:

1. Introduction: Risk, Protection and Resiliency
2. Bonding
3. Meaningful Participation
4. Caring and Support

RECREATION & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

In addition to providing the TGFD&V curriculum to address basic substance abuse and violence prevention skills, Aquarius staff will provide a program of appropriate socialization and recreation opportunities for project participants for the crucial after school hours from 3-6 p.m. Staff will facilitate social development activities such as social outings with family and siblings, sports and recreation activities, camping and educational field trips and community events that promote pro-social skills. The program will include transportation for youth and supervised therapeutic recreational/social activities with additional life skills instruction. Therapeutic recreational and social activities such as weight training, nutrition awareness, conflict resolution and other life skills instruction, sports activities, team sports, arts and theater will be available weekday afternoons (Mon –Friday) from 3 to 6 p.m. Aquarius staff will team with staff of local recreation centers (ex. YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs) to assist participants in accessing and utilizing their local community recreation resources.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PSYCHO-EDUCATION

Project participants who have identified substance abuse issues (experimentation and/ or dependence) will satisfactorily complete 12 weeks of group process treatment, psycho-education and resistance training provided by CADAC certified staff. Process group will utilize cognitive therapy techniques to assist with behavioral changes and allows problems to be effectively addressed in a systematic way.

In addition group process allows for youth to become responsible for their behavior and make decisions to avoid future conflicts and avoid poor decisions. Peer driven confrontation mixed with therapeutic interventions will assist the youth to honestly look at their addiction and behavior.

CULTURAL AWARENESS CURRICULUM

The Aquarius Project provides an instructional and experiential exploration of the history, art and culture, of the African American and other ethnic communities from a wider perspective designed to enlighten and empower youth toward higher achievement and commitment to community over 6 sessions.