October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying can impact a youth’s education, physical and emotional health, and their safety and well-being. Annual RAAPS* data consistently identifies bullying in the top youth risks—and of those reporting being bullied in the last year, 67% also flagged positively for depression (2 out...
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Summer is winding down and youth will soon be stepping into another school year of new experiences, personal and academic growth, new friends, new classes—and a whole new slew of challenges. Whether you interact with youth in a school setting, a community-based organization or as a clinician, chances are...
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Whether you’re in a SBHC, primary care office, or other youth serving organization, you know the importance of data and reporting but… Did You Know: Tracking risky behaviors at the population level is the most direct and valuable way to support youth. The thousands of professionals that have integrated...
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You know the scenario: you administered the Rapid Adolescent Prevention Screening (RAAPS) risk assessment and are ready to meet with youth to confidently discuss their identified risks. But how do you start the conversation? And once it’s started, how do you help guide them towards healthier behaviors? Coaching youth...
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Connecting with teens is tough, especially when you’re a professional looking to discuss serious topics like mental health, substance abuse or sex. In short: risk screening can feel overwhelming, even scary—but that shouldn’t hold you back. According to the CDC, risk behaviors are responsible for 3 out of 4...
Read moreValentine’s Day is nearly here and that means love is in the air. For many teens, that may mean more than just candy adorned cards. Fast fact: 30% of 12-14-year-olds have had sex with 4 or more people—that number climbs to 48% for 15-17-year-olds and 59% for 18 and...
Read moreHere at Possibilities for Change, we believe all organizations serving adolescents and young adults should have access to the tools they need to provide quality care and affect positive change. When you implement youth risk screening practices with RAAPS, you’re doing so much more than simply administering an assessment;...
Read moreTest your Teen Speak skills. Which of the following are true statements? Teens don’t like being told what to do. Teens don’t learn from our experiences. Sometimes teens resist our advice just to be resistant! All of the above. Yes, it’s obviously “D”. But why? The answer is not...
Read moreMost professionals who work with youth try to approach each interaction with an open mind. Research shows this is an important step to making youth feel comfortable. What else goes into creating a safe place for youth to share? Some of the steps are obvious – but we think...
Read moreWe are long past the days when “Do It Yourself” or “DIY” described college students creating projects on a dime. These days DIY is mainstream. On a whole, the DIY philosophy is laudable. It represents problem solving, independence, thrift, and creativity. However, there are times when DIY should be...
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