Friend2Friend: Safe & Caring Schools

The goal of Friend2Friend: Safe & Caring Schools is to reduce school violence through recognition of concerning behaviors and open communication between students and adults.

Learning objectives:

• Identify own emotions and those of others as they relate to concerns including bullying, harassment, self-harm, and threats
• Recognize when a peer's actions or statements need to be shared with adults
• Investigate ways to encourage a peer in distress to open up to an adult
• Recognize role in creating a safe and supportive school climate
• Feel comfortable and empowered to share concerns with an adult
• Understand potential resources and the roles of trusted adults

CASEL Competency Alignment:

Social Awareness & Relationship Skills - strengthen communication and healthy relationship skills

• Demonstrate empathy and support help-seeking
• Identify own emotions and those of others

Self-Management & Self-Awareness Skills - develop strategies for managing stress and making healthy decisions

• Identify and use resources of family, school community

Responsible Decision-Making - grow critical thinking skills

• Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of actions
• Identify solutions to personal and social problems

Skills:

• Help-seeking skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Empathy and active listening skills

Friend2Friend methodology has been determined to be evidence-based in peer-reviewed studies. Research shows that with experiential practice, increased emotional engagement and reflective thinking leads to stronger self-efficacy and behavior change.

Mental wellness professionals, psychologists, and social workers contributed to the simulation content.

Students receive customized feedback based on their in-simulation choices.

The simulation is available online 24/7. Users are asked to complete pre-, post-, and 3-month follow up surveys to assess changes in skills. Attitudes, and behavior. Upon completion, users receive a certificate of completion.  Clients have access to usage reports and evaluation data via the Kognito client portal.