Implementation and Impact of the Project with Curriculum in Juvenile Justice Facilities and Group Homes

Abstract

Project With is an innovative, literary-based curriculum designed for justice-involved youth. The curriculum has 12 lessons in which youth read a literary selection, such as a short story or poem; discuss the literary work with their peers and a facilitator; and participate in an activity aligned with the lesson's main idea. Project With can be best characterized as a curriculum designed to strengthen relationship skills and self-management skills. By helping justice-involved youth develop a plan for their future, the curriculum aims to reduce their participation in a range of harmful behaviors, including risky sexual behaviors. This evaluation was funded by a Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grant and examined the implementation of Project With and the perceived impact of the curriculum in a sample of justice-involved youth residing in juvenile justice facilities and group homes in California. [This evaluation was funded by a Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program grant to TELACU.]