FailSafe-ERA Youth Programs consist of educational sessions based on cognitive behavioral therapeutic techniques to improve outcomes for children and youth impacted by incarceration, and to prevent generations of incarceration.  The incarceration of a household member is one of the ten (10) originally studied Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) demonstrated by research that increases the risk for mental illness and substance use in adulthood.  Our PGI (Preventing Generations of Incarceration) program offers protective factors to reduce the harmful impact of ACES by providing a safe and stable environment, social connections, development of social and emotional competencies, and the encouragement of healthy cognitions. Third graders are in gangs and fifth graders are threatening harm to other children. Though they are children they are making adult decisions that require the same level of attention as an adult criminal case.  

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Equipping Children with Incarcerated Parents (ECHIPS)  is a program designed for elementary aged children, to reduce the trauma and related challenges that children of incarcerated parents and loved ones often face.  They learn social and emotional strategies where they can better cope with the challenges brought on by the situation that they are experiencing. The specific trauma informed interventions include psychoeducation about trauma, strategies for identifying distressing and irrational thinking and behavior, relaxation techniques, cognitive reframing, and emotion regulation skills.

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FailSafe-ERA Aspiring to Develop and Empower Sons (FADES) and Women Inspiring GirlS (WIGS) for youth ages 12-18, is designed to promote positive behaviors, confidence, and mindsets that resist criminal activities and thoughts, to include gang intervention.  Participants learn practical tips and exercises to help them overcome obstacles and recover from life-altering decisions. They are challenged to examine how their behavior and choices are caused by their emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. They not only explore problems resulting in bad behavior, but also learn how to make good decisions.  In addition to the youth intervention curriculum there are planned group and community service activities.