MY PLACE TO BE

Thanks to Licking County Foundation for our STEP UP! Program for teens.  STEP UP is a social and emotional learning program which was adapted from the Camp MakeBelieve Kids® 8 Step Program, specifically for the growing teenager.  The goal of the STEP UP Program is to prevent self-destructive behaviors and promote optimal mental health in teenagers.

Teens are stressed out for a multitude of reasons; academic, social, sports, romantic, body issues, hormones, bullies and more.  STEP UP does not eliminate stress, but teaches kids to cope with stress in a healthy and productive way.  This program educates teens and their parents on key social and emotional learning concepts that enhance self-confidence, self-awareness, empathy and social skills, while also giving them tools and strategies for self-control and self-motivation when they need it most.

STEP UP is modeled from the 8 Steps of the Camp MakeBelieve Kids® program and are geared toward helping students:

• Develop healthy social skills
  
• Label & appropriately express feelings
  
• Understand and respect boundaries (self and others)
  
• Demonstrate empathy
  
• Decrease intensity of  negative feelings
  
• Stop exhibiting and responding to manipulation (bullying, peer pressure)
  
• Self-regulate thoughts and behavior
  
• Self-motivate; bounce back with resilience