Module 62: Raising Resilient Children: Belonging, Family and Being Connected to School

In this Module, participants will learn about three important strength-based models that guide child, family, and school productivity: Connectedness, Resilience and The Circle of Courage (A Lakota Model).  All three overlapping models guide and support family members to help struggling youth and are used widely in CT schools for the same reason.  Supporting youth in positive ways at home and collaborating with schools is essential for their overall life success.   Resilience is the oldest strength-based model; preschoolers were followed into adulthood during a longitudinal study to discover solid factors that help raise resilient youth.  School Connectedness has been validated over the past twenty-five years most recently by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).  Originally the Military funded a major study on the impact of social mobility on student success.  By their very nature, foster children experience gross social mobility as they move from family to family, school to school, etc.  Without looking for it, the study revealed simple factors that help youth succeed regardless of the negative impact of social mobility.  Finally, the Circle of Courage is a rich multi-dimensional model that helps us understand the critical importance of fostering resiliency through the lens of belonging.