Module: 4.5.3 Designing Safe and Supportive Programs
During module, participants will explore the importance of creating safety in their program for young people and how their program promotes emotional and physical safety.
This module was developed as a part of the OST Wellness Network.
In this training, participants will:
- Understand how intentional program design can contribute to youth’s mental, social and emotional wellness
- Understand how positive program culture can contribute to youth’s mental, social and emotional wellness
- Develop an action plan for redesigning OST programs to meet the needs of youth impacted by trauma and other mental health conditions
Content Overview:
Reflecting on Safety and Belonging
Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on a time when they felt safe and felt like they belonged. This will help set the stage to understanding the ways in which they can promote emotional and physical safety in their programs.
Safety: Looks and Sounds
Participants will identify concrete ways of what safety looks and sounds like in their own life.
Key Concepts: Design by Values
Participants will learn about the two primary components that impact a young person’s experience in program: program culture and program design.
Current Design and Practice
Participants will explore the practices and strategies they currently implement that promotes safety in their program.
Action Planning
Participants will have an opportunity to determine the adjustments they want to make to their current practice to be more intentional to ensure young people feel safe in their program.
Training Length: 2 hours