"I feel like this class has widened my horizons. Ive learned how to carry myself in a problem situation

Robeneyce Green, School Fight Program Participant

The Caddo Parish School Fight Diversion Program is a collaborative effort between VYJ and the Caddo Parish School Board, designed to address the dynamics that lead to violent behavior, with the goal of preventing school fight violations.

VYJ has a proven history of success in providing early intervention services to combat anti-social behaviors such as school-fighting. At the end of the 03-04 school year, 3,695 incidents of fighting, injurious conduct, or weapon possession had been reported for Caddo Parish middle and high schools with an average of 370 fights occurring each month.

Fighting is disruptive to the school climate and causes students to feel physically and psychologically threatened. VYJ has embraced the mission that every child has the right to a safe learning environment. In 2004, VYJ submitted a proposal offering intervention services to address the dynamics that lead to violent behavior. The School Fight Diversion program was approved and has been in operation since January 2006.

The program consists of a six-hour workshop educating students on how to avoid conflicts that may escalate into physical violence. The curriculum includes sessions addressing such topics as: conflict resolution, self-esteem, diversity, effective communication, bullying, and how the media affects behavior of young people. VYJ reinforces the sessions with Aftercare follow-up, visiting students periodically at their schools to ensure accountability and determine if there is any need for further intervention. Initial feedback from program participants and parents indicate the program is making a positive impact.

This should be a requirement for graduation. All ninth graders should take it.

Jacquline Drakes, mother of school fight participant