Certificate Program in Using the Arts in Prevention

This Certificate Program is intended for social workers, teachers, artists and professionals who work with young people. Research has shown that using the expressive arts with young people can have a powerful effect in preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use/abuse, and the related detrimental social/psychological issues. Participants will learn how to use various media, such as drama, visual arts, writing, movement/dance, music and communication media with individuals, school and community groups, and alternative settings. The Certificate Program is a joint effort with the Center for the Arts.

Certificates of completion will be offered after each workshop. Participants not enrolled in the Certificate Program are welcome to take individual workshops. All workshops are designated as non-clinical workshops.

To receive the final certificate, a participant must attend:
  • 9 Required Workshops
  • 2 Elective workshops,
  • A total of 12 days


REQUIRED WORKSHOPS (10 Days Total)
1. The Arts in Prevention: An Overview                         10 C.E.H.
  • Describe the integration of the arts in prevention strategies for youth at risk for substance abuse and other social/psychological issues.
  • Explain how arts programs address risk factors and develop greater resiliency in a variety of settings.
  • List and describe many different art programs aimed at prevention
  • Give examples of successful needs assessment, planning and evaluation of art programs.

2. Youth Development and the Arts                             5 C.E.H.
  • Explain the different stages of mental growth and creativity in children/youth
  • Develop art programs that target the specific stages(s) of development in youths at risk.
  • Develop strategies to accommodate a variety of learning styles

3. Developing, Planning and Implementing Creative Programs/Projects         5 C.E.H.
  • Implement an assessment strategy to identify issues/problems to be addressed by a creative arts program.
  • Develop and plan a comprehensive creative arts program for a specific group/community
  • Describe the value and importance of setting up partnerships amongst systems impacting on youth at risk
  • Use evaluation methods to assess the impact of programs on the individual and community

4. Youth Development through Drama                         5 C.E.H.
  • Experience the impact of various dramatic methods, such as warm-ups, improvisation, role-playing, sociodrama and play back theatre
  • Describe how the use of dramatic methods can address issues relevant to youth, such as improving communication, developing empathy, fostering teamwork, decision making and conflict resolution
  • Develop a plan for using specific dramatic methods with individuals/communities

5. Youth Development through the Written Arts                    5 C.E.H.
  • Experience the impact of various written arts programs, such as writing poetry, journaling, story and song writing
  • Describe how the use of verbal arts programs can address issues relevant to youth, such as expressing feelings and emotions in healthy ways, developing greater self-awareness and stimulating the imagination.
  • Develop a plan for using written arts programs/projects with individuals/communities

6. Youth Development through the Visual and Media Arts             5 C.E.H.
  • Experience the impact of collages, murals, clay work, photography, video and sound recording
  • Describe how the various visual/media arts can address issues relevant to youth, such as expressing feelings, externalizing thoughts in creative ways, and communicating experiences
  • Develop a plan for using visual/media arts with individuals/communities

7. Youth Development through Dance, Movement and Music             5 C.E.H.
  • Experience the impact of various dance, movement and music programs
  • Describe how the various dance, movement and music programs can address issues relevant to youth, such as a sense of self, body image/body awareness, physical and social boundaries in interaction, making music and interpreting music made by others
  • Develop a plan for using dance/movement or music programs with individuals/communities

8. Building a Safe Environment for Arts Programs                     5 C.E.H.
  • Recognize the power of the expressive arts in evoking emotional issues in participants
  • Describe the importance of creating an open and non-judgmental climate when facilitating arts programs
  • Describe the importance of setting boundaries for each activity
  • Demonstrate how the facilitator/group leader can address situations that trigger emotional reactions and bring them to healthy closure

9. Differences and Diversity in Arts Programs                    5 C.E.H.
  • Accept differences in cultural and socio economic background, abilities, sexual orientation and education
  • Develop strategies for building a cohesive and tolerant atmosphere
  • Address issues of differences and diversity in a sensitive manner

ELECTIVE WORKSHOPS (Choose two)
Some examples:
  • Using the Arts in Crisis Intervention
  • Arts Activities in Counseling
  • Building Healthy Communities through the Arts
  • Writing Grants to Fund an Arts Program
  • A community arts project may be substituted for one elective.