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September 29, 2008
bron The Daily Herald - More news www.thedailyherald.com
A special youth programme "Positive Action" is under discussion for implementation in Saba to protect youth from known risks. Marnell Bosma of the Antillean Directorate of Youth Development met with stakeholders here recently and explained that the programme, through proven interventions, assisted youth in making healthy lifestyle choices. Bosma said a survey conducted in Saba in 2006 had identified some of the risk factors assailing Saba youngsters and putting them in jeopardy from antisocial behaviours. Saba's survey results were considered the most alarming, as Saba's score was the worst within the Netherlands Antilles.
Positive Action stems from the "Communities that Care" programme de- veloped by researchers at University of Washington, where scientists identified protective factors and processes that work together to buffer children from the effects of high-risk exposure and lead to the development of healthy behaviours. Bosma said the programme had documented successes and the model was a robust scientifi c one currently in use on other islands in the Netherlands Antilles and internationally, including in Holland. Six specifi c behaviours are to be addressed: violence, delinquency, substance abuse, sex-related problem behaviours, premature school leaving and anxiety/depression.
The core of the model is that wellbeing is the outcome of the interaction of two factors: constitutional and environmental. Positive Action is said to be a proven evidencebased programme for improving academics, behaviour, and character. It works by teaching and reinforcing the intuitive philosophy that an individual feels good about him/herself when he/she undertakes positive actions and there is a positive way to do everything. The programme teaches the positive actions for the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional areas of the self. A core committee comprising Gwen Dawson, Anastasia Simmons and Carl Buncamper has been working on the proposal for Saba. The intention it to use the Positive Action programme in the schools, as that structure would provide ongoing support and would be the most economical. A schoolbased programme has an increased probability of survival, because it is integrated into the island's permanent structure.
It is expected that implementation will start at the beginning of the 2009- 2010 academic year.
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