Boundaries & Expectations

Hello,

We are up to the third set of assets. This is what is said about this area.

Youth benefit from clear boundaries and expectations that steer them toward positive choices. Boundaries are internalized when they are consistent across settings such as the family, school and neighborhood. ...Moreover youth know they are valued and respected when adults hold high expectations for them. ... Youth programs can involve youth in setting limits and consequences and communicate expectations clearly.

This is a hard area, I think. First of all, we have no control over what families and schools are doing. We can work with the youth in our programs and sometimes their families too.

We used to have a point and level system in our shelter. If a teen didn't follow the rules, he or she would lose points and possibly a level that had priviledges such as playing pool and getting a coke. We decided a few yesrs ago that we would give all the youth the same priviledges when they first entered the program. Then if they acted out, we would have their counselor work with them. We also use peace-making circles to resolve conflict. Of course this doesn't always work...yesterday we had to ask 2 teens to leave the shelter. But our incidence reports have dropped drastically.

Here are the tips for building these assests:

Provide clear rules and consequences
Involve youth in developing rules and consequences
Use positive techniques to reinforce good behavior
Model repectful behavior
Enlist youth in modeling positive behavior for theie peers
Work with parents and schools to create boundaries and expectations.
Tell youth your high expectations for them
Structure your activities to support the youth in meeting those expectations
Inspire youth

Any stories about this? I would love to hear them.

LA