Restoring Respect: RAP Training
October 13-15, 2009
Holiday Inn Express - Downtown Nashville, Tennessee
"To meet life's challenges, all children need adults and peers who respond to their needs rather than react to problem behavior." --Dr. Larry Brendtro, co-author RAP training
RAP offers “essential training” for dealing with challenging children and youth.
Response Ability Pathways – or simply RAP – provides essential strength-based strategies for all who deal with young persons in family, school, or community. Children and youth need supportive persons who respond to their needs rather than react to their problems. RAP provides these response-abilities which enable one to guide young persons on pathways to responsibility.
RAP applies Circle of Courage principles to meet growth needs of all young persons.
The goal is to provide children with opportunities to develop belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. RAP methods are grounded in research evidence on resilience, brain science, and positive youth development. This training translates leading-edge research into practical methods for building strength of character in all youth, even those presenting difficult behavior problems.
RAP provides a powerful alternative to both punitive and permissive approaches.
Instead of reactive, coercive interactions, young persons are enlisted as responsible agents in positive change. RAP deals with problems by focusing on strengths and solutions. Brief “teaching moments” instill positive behaviors and values. Rather than enforcing obedience, RAP sets high expectations for youth to take responsibility and show respect for themselves and others.
RAP taps and develops the innate strength and resilience of young persons.
The course focuses on three interventions: Connect, Clarify, and Restore. These are the normal “abilities” of the resilient human brain: we are endowed with the ability to connect to others for support, clarify challenging problems, and restore harmony.
RAP concepts and “abilities” are applicable in virtually any setting:
This training is widely applicable since it is based on a “universal design.
- Content is intuitive, jargon free, and understandable.
- Strategies are safe, practical, and easily implemented.
- Goals target universal growth needs of children and youth.
- Values are universal across diverse cultures and societies.
RAP is useful for all who are concerned with youth, whether professionals or lay persons.
This course is well-received by educators, counselors, social workers, psychologists, youth workers, and staff in treatment and juvenile justice settings. Training also can include parents, foster parents, mentors, and mature youth who are peer helpers. Graduate and undergraduate course credit is available.
RAP is highly experiential and provides practical skills for building courageous kids.
Basic RAP principles are presented in creative formats, and the course is enlivened by engaging videos and small-group role plays. Participants develop abilities to disengage from adversarial encounters, connect with adult-wary youngsters, restore bonds of respect, and create climates where all young persons can flourish.
About the Trainer
Dr. Steve Van Bockern is a professor of education at Augustana College and Dean of the Reclaiming Youth Institute, which conducts research on strength-based prevention and intervention. Drawing on experience as a public school principal and teacher at the elementary and secondary levels, Dr. VanBockern consults with numerous schools and alternative education programs throughout North America. He has directed grants for the National Science Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation and has developed programs for talented students. Dr. VanBockern serves as president and co-founder for Reclaiming Youth International and is a senior trainer for the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute and Response Ability Pathways.
Optional College Credit
Participants can enroll for three semester hours of graduate workshop college credit in either Psychology or Special Education. Cost of this optional college credit is $300 US Funds. Registration forms and course syllabus will be available at the training. Payment for college credit is made payable to Reclaiming Youth and given to the instructor at the training. College credit is offered through a collaborative program between Augustana College & Reclaiming Youth.
Training Site and Accommodations
Holiday Inn Express (Downtown) (Phone #615-244-0150) Website: www.hiexndt.com
920 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Room Rate: $120 + tax (single/double)
Hotel deadline for group rate: September 9, 2009
Parking Fee: $10 per night (special rate for RYI guests only)
Conveniently located just 8 miles from Nashville International Airport, the Holiday Inn Express Nashville- Downtown is the largest Holiday Inn Express in the world! It is centrally located to Music Row and the Downtown Entertainment District - including the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Legends Corner, and the famous Wildhorse Saloon.
Amenities include complimentary wireless high speed Internet access, 32” plasma TV, microwave, fridge, coffee maker, ironing board and hair dryer in every room. Guests may also enjoy the complimentary Express Start Breakfast each morning, a state-of-the-art fitness center and hotel gift shop. A complimentary shuttle is available to local attractions within a 2-mile radius.
Daily Schedule:
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Lunch included)
Travel Arrangements
All participants are responsible for their own transportation. Taxi service is available throughout the city. Shuttle service is also available from the Nashville Airport to the hotel via the “Airport Shuttle”. The cost is approximately $12 one way. Estimated travel time is approximately 15 minutes.
Registration Fee (includes three-day workshop, training materials, and lunches)
$375 (U.S. Funds) Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.
Deadline to register: September 30th (Subject to space availability*)
*Limited to 40 participants
To Register / Contact Us:
Reclaiming Youth International, Attn: Cindy Crabtree, PO Box 57, Lennox, SD 57039 USA
Phone: (605) 647-2532 Fax: (605) 647-5212 E-mail: seminars@reclaiming.com
