April 12, 2005

Regarding the Forward Step Compass Curriculum

I would like to add my recommendation of the Forward Step Compass Curriculum to the proposal for adopting it in Los Angeles County Community Centers.

I recently completed facilitating a 6 week course with a group of teenagers at the Rose Hill Community Center in which we used the Compass Curriculum. This program is specifically designed to give teens and young adults the opportunity to learn and practice the skills directly related to creating positive experiences in their lives.

During this course these young boys and girls learned the basics in all these areas:

•  Creating a positive self-image (self-esteem)

•  Communicating effectively without passing judgments

•  The importance and practice of goal setting

•  Decision making - how to examine a choice before acting

•  Trust in others - the need for good relationships

•  Understanding the influence of advertising and media

•  Teamwork - learning to work together

I have been involved with a camp for boys for the past 20 years and based on this experience I can say that the skill set presented in the Compass Curriculum is very much needed with children, teens and adults from all socio-economic levels. While children with very loving parents and good friends often emerge as self-confident, and well adjusted teens - even then they may not know the skills which will support this state of being. Teens from less supportive environments desperately need to learn these skills.

Further, this curriculum is designed to be presented by a willing facilitator and does not require someone professionally trained. The lessons, activities, discussion questions and follow-up suggestions are laid out in an easy to follow (yet very flexible) format.

So, to conclude, I believe the city of Los Angeles would offer the community of teens and young adults an extremely benevolent service in providing this program in as many centers as possible.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Dan Trevarthen