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Teen Outreach Program (TOP)

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is a developmental intervention that attempts to help teens understand and evaluate their life options. The program is designed to prevent problem behaviors in adolescents. It is based on the notion that (1) a heightened awareness of life options, (2) increased knowledge of those options and how to effectively pursue them, and (3) enhanced and diverse experiences with various life options will lead to a variety of positive outcomes, primarily scholastic success as measured by reduced course failure and suspension rates and a decrease in pregnancy rates. Based on the principles of youth development, and the social emotional well-being and mental health of teens, TOP provides teens with the necessary supports and opportunities to prepare for successful adulthood and avoid problem behavior.

Goal / Mission

The program aims to develop healthy behaviors, life skills, and a sense of purpose in order to prevent problem behaviors.

Impact

Studies have shown that adolescents in the Teen Outreach Program are at 52% lower risk of school suspension, 60% lower risk of course failure, and 53% lower risk of teenage pregnancy.

Results / Accomplishments

In operation since 1976, TOP has reached over 35,000 youth. According to a national study conducted in 2001, teens who participate in the TOP are at 52% lower risk of school suspension, 60% lower risk of course failure, and 53% lower risk of pregnancy.

The Primary Project has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being designated a "Promising Prevention Program" by the U.S. Department of Education's Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools Expert Panel, being recognized as one of five exemplary prevention programs in the nation in "Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (December 1999)", National Mental Health Association's Lela Rowland Award for Outstanding Prevention Programs (1989), and being validated through New York State's Education Department as a successful program.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Wyman Center
Primary Contact
Teen Outreach Program
http://teenoutreachprogram.com/
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Civic Engagement
Education / Student Performance K-12
Organization(s)
Wyman Center
Source
Promising Practices Network
For more details
http://www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp?prog...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC177302...
Target Audience
Teens

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.