A review of a Community Youth Development Program design to help build leadership skills.

1. FAST FORWARD
A Review of the FAST Curriculum
@ the TACOLCY Center

2. Here’s The Story….
Youth who are suspended from school are:
– Bad
– Disrespectful
– Cause Problems
– Destined to Dropout
– Delinquent

3. But Are They?
Is it possible to
view Youth
through a
different lens?

4. Is It Possible…..
That Youth are:
Expressive
Innovative
Future Leaders
An Investment

5. This Presentation…
Examines a Shift in THINKING about:
• Youth as PROBLEMS or
• Youth as POWERFUL,
Agents of Change

6. Challenged To Make A Difference

7. The FAST Model
This presentation will review a teaching MODEL
called FAST: Families Assistance with Suspension
and Termination
It is used for Youth who are frequently suspended
from school.
But, does it work to reduce at-risk behaviors and,
Can it be implemented to Empower Youth
to re-engage in school?

8. FAST Program ToDay
IS:
• An alternative to Outdoor Suspension
• A learning model that equips scholars with life
skills that addresses behavior modification
• The Making Excellent Choices Curriculum
• A Character Education training program

9. Youth Recruitment
• Youth in FAST are:
– referred to TACOLCY as a result of being suspended
from school for 3-10 days
– Disproportionately Black & Latino males
• Top 5 Causes for Suspension are:
1. Disruptive Behavior (exactly, what is this?)
2. Fighting
3. Truancy/ Skipping
4. Smoking/Distribution of Marijuana
5. Stealing

10. Being Suspended….
• Has a Negative Stigma
• Dictates that Youth are Bad and should be
removed from school
• Separates Youth from their Education
• Sends a Disempowered message to Youth
• Says, Youth are Not welcome

11. Families Have 2 Choices
• Youth stay home from school
Or
2. Youth experience the FAST program at
TACOLCY

12. Statistics Suggest…..

13. Should We Be Concerned?

14. Should We Be Asking WHY?
• Increasing rates of
youth are suspended in
the public schools.
• Reasons are more &
more outrageous.
• Are Youth rights being
violated?
• Should we be
advocating for policy
changes?

15. Can FAST Do More?

16. FAST is A:

17. Movement 2 Positive Development

18. Victims 2 Advocates
A Shift in
Thinking

19. Moving 4ward

20. Cultivating Leaders Must B Deliberate

21. How Can We Empower Youth

22. How Do We…..
• Expose Youth Value and
• Shift Public Thinking
– about Youth as the Future
• Create a SPACE………………
– to explore school policies around suspension
• Think about WHAT could be Different

23. We CAN…..
UTILIZE Technology

24. We CAN…
Use MOVIES to promote messages

25. We CAN….
Change the Discourse to
Give Youth Voice & Choice

26. Encourage Youth Expression

27. College/Career Experiences

28. Youth Empowerment Strategies
Youth As:
•Peer Educators
•Mayor’s Youth Council
•Youth Advisory
Council
•Youth Board Members
•Youth Action Teams
•Youth Research Teams
•Youth Producers

29. Strengthen Youth-Adult Partnerships

30. Be True to the Process

31. Lessons Through Leadership

32. Identity Development, Identity
Support
Help youth understand who they are, where they
came from, and what their heritage offers them.
Armed with an understanding of their own
identity, young people can appreciate their own
cultures, understand how historic injustices affect
them, and use this knowledge to make positive
changes.
(Lewis-Charp, Yu, Soukamneuth & Lacoe, 2003

33. Cultural Connections

34. Civic Activism
Civic activism provides a
forum for youth
to reflect on and address
the day-to-day
challenges faced by
them, their families
and
communities.

35. “Everyone can be great, because
everyone can serve.”- MLK, Jr.

36. MISSION POSSIBLE
The Shift from Youth
as Problems to
Youth as Leaders is
Mission Possible.
The Time is NOW!!!!!
We Need to Move
FAST

37. Empowered Youth Lead

38. THE END
For more information:
Visit: www.tacolcy.org
Email: tacolcy@tacolcy.org