Botvin Life Skills Training Curriculum

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition was awarded the Iowa Partnership for Success (IPFS) Grant in 2015 to address underage drinking and youth binge drinking in Van Buren County.  The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition’s IPFS project is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

In June of 2016 the Iowa Department of Public Health approved the use of the Botvin Life Skills Training Curriculum at the Van Buren Community Jr. /Sr. High School to address underage drinking and underage binge drinking in Van Buren County.  On July 20, 2016 the Van Buren Community School Board approved the implementation of the program in the 7^th and 8^th grade Explore Rotation.  In the 2016-17 school year both grades completed the Level I curriculum.  In the 2017-18 school year the 7^th Grade students completed the Level I curriculum and the 8^th Grade students completed the Level II curriculum as the Life Skills Curriculum builds on the information provided each year.  For the 2018-19 school year the 7^th Grade students will again complete the Level I curriculum and the 8^th Grade students will complete the Level II curriculum. 

The Botvin LifeSkills Training Middle School program is a substance abuse and violence prevention program based on over 30 years of rigorous scientific research. It is proven to be an effective evidence-based program used in schools today. LifeSkills Training is comprehensive and developmentally designed to promote positive youth development. It teaches youth to resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.  It also supports the reduction of violence and other                     high-risk behaviors. 

The program learning objectives area as follows:

·         Personal Self-Management Skills: Students develop skills that help them enhance self-esteem, develop problem-solving abilities, reduce stress and anxiety, and manage anger.

·         General Social Skills: Students gain skills to meet personal challenges such as overcoming shyness, communicating clearly, building relationships, and avoiding violence.

·         Drug Resistance Skills: Students build effective defenses against pressures to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

For more information on the Life Skills Training curriculum please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org

Picture provided by Botvin Life Skills Training curriculum.