NEW Resources For Law Enforcement Officers in Schools
Workbook and Mini-Course Curriculum
A Special Edition of the workbook, Ethics for Young Adults, along with an Instructor's Manual and basic PowerPoint slides makes possible a series of nine to ten ethics classes taught by school resource officers. Click on PDF icon above to see workbook contents. In addition to the series of classes in a “mini-course”, these materials could also be adapted for individual, stand-alone, one-time guest speaking assignments. These materials are ready for use by law enforcement officers at nominal cost, thanks to sponsorship of the program from business and nonprofit organizations. For more information, please write to gregrichardsphd@att.net or call at (661) 291-1925.
Second, our director, Greg Richards, has created a training presentation with special content for school resource officers and other law enforcement personnel who interface with youth. This presentation is readily adapted to the needs of the sponsoring agency or organization. Please contact us for more information. Here is a training workshop outline for a two and a half hour session.
Training Opportunity
SRO resources and training outline
SRO+resources+and+training+outline.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [29.7 KB]
Practical Applications of Teen Brain Research for Law Enforcement Officers Assigned to Schools and Youth
Greg Richards, Ph.D., Director, Middle Grades Ethics Project
I. “Brain Quiz” (informal, humorous introduction to the teen brain)
Challenges from Brain Biology
II. Introduction to a framework from developmental psychology and adolescent brain biology
Higher moral reasoning rare in teen years
Brain executive function structure immature in adolescence
Risk alerting structure absent in teen brain
Critical moment in young adolescence (middle years) for brain plasticity
Chemical rewards from novelty and risk; finding a “passion”
Puberty occurs earlier, adolescence extended
Opportunities from Brain Biology
III. Importance of significant adults during adolescent brain development
Scaffolding, guidance from educators
Authoritative parenting
Resilience and “charismatic adults”
Mindful awareness and secure attachment
Curriculum project engaging parents as home teachers to extend and enrich instruction at school
IV. Findings from bullying prevention literature—“vaccinating” teens against peer cruelty and high-risk behaviors
Risk factors and protective factors
V. Final thoughts and questions
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
Criminal Justice Institute, University of Arkansas
Innovative Schools Summit
National Association of School Resource Officers
Collier County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Youth Bureau
National Conference on Bullying
Webinar, CyberBully Hotline
National Conference on School Safety
Criminal Justice Institute, University of Arkansas
Florida Association of School Resource Officers
NextGen School Safety Conference
Arkansas Safe Schools Initiative
Pine Ridge Middle School, Naples (FL), (pilot program)
Girl Bullying and Empowerment National Conference
National Conference on School Discipline
References available
Please contact us for more information
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