Prevention Education Program
We believe in upstream, proactive education to promote the social change that will prevent sexual and intimate partner violence in future generations.
About the Program
What are we “preventing”?
Our goal is to prevent youth interpersonal and sexual violence by teaching children a wide range of important social-emotional skills using an evidence-based curriculum. Topics we explore include: healthy communication, healthy relationships, emotion regulation, bullying, identity and diversity, and tolerance. We do not only discuss “what not to do” when it comes to interpersonal skills; we also give students the tools for positive behaviors to practice instead. We are passionate about continuing to grow the program and strengthen our relationships with the schools we serve. Together through our joint efforts, we can support the next generation in nonviolence.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Monthly Lessons
We regularly visit classrooms (preschool – 12th grade) in San Miguel County and West End Montrose County, serving ~700 students throughout the Telluride, Norwood, Naturita, Nucla, and Paradox schools. Our lessons are interactive, age-appropriate, and developed using the Why Try Youth Resilience curriculum.
Workshops
In addition to monthly lessons, the Prevention Education program facilitates workshops on various topics relating to healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. Examples of workshops have included:
“Family Life And Sexual Health” unit with Telluride 8th grade and high school health classes.
“Healthy Bodies, Healthy Touch” at Ridgway Elementary, helping students identify who to tell if someone makes them uncomfortable or uses inappropriate touches.
“TLC Week: Teens, Love, and Consent”, a workshop series at Telluride High School discussing boundaries, consent, communication, and warning signs of abusive relationships.
Lunch Groups
We also conduct monthly lunch groups at the Telluride, Norwood, and West End schools during regular lunch period. Lunch groups serve as a way for us to build closer relationships with students and offer them individualized support as needed. The small group size allows us to explore general topics from classroom lessons on a more in-depth level. We bring home-cooked meals (e.g. chili or tacos) and games/activities to facilitate group conversation and student connection. Students typically opt in to lunch groups, or they may be referred by a teacher if there is an identified need for support.
Peer Advocacy Club
The Peer Advocacy Club started in 2019 when a group of Telluride High School students approached SMRC staff with concerns about the prevalence of sexual violence they were witnessing amongst their peers, coupled with frustrations about the reporting process/lack of accountability for perpetrators. In response, SMRC staff supported students in creating a club focused on supporting survivors and promoting a culture of consent at the school. The club is now a collaboration between San Miguel Resource Center and Telluride High School and has trained numerous students in victim advocacy skills to support their peer survivors. With support from SMRC’s Prevention Education Coordinator, students also facilitate workshops and events throughout the year meant to educate their peers about consent, boundaries, bystander intervention skills, and options for survivors. The Peer Advocacy Club is uniquely powerful in preventing sexual assault and dating violence because it is youth-lead; research tells us that youths are much more engaged and receptive to information coming from their peers than from adults.
Prevention Education Photo Gallery
MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about our Prevention Ed program, please contact our Prevention Educator @ 728-5842 ext 2# or email education@smrcco.org.