The Tucson Urban League (TUL) Behavioral Health Program provides adolescents ages 14 to 18 who are residing in foster kinship care with the skills to transition into adulthood through several comprehensive program components. Program members must be referred through the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA) Network Child and Family Teams. The TUL program provides life skills training, pre-vocational and support services programming. The program is highly structured, yet designed to be fun and creative, with closely supervised activities to assist high-risk youth in developing skills to make quality life choices, promote pro-social behaviors and appropriately manage peer pressure. TUL’s professionally trained staff works closely with each member Network Child and Family Team.
The TUL staff helps members to integrate classroom instruction through the use of video and PowerPoint presentations, small group discussions, role-playing, and games to promote behavioral changes. In addition, the Intel Computer Clubhouse is available each day to introduce members to the world of technology utilizing music, digital photography and advanced software applications. Also available are entertaining workshops that assist members to develop their employability skills. If appropriate, some members are referred to the TUL Employment and Training Program or the County One Stop Center for volunteer opportunities, part-time or full-time employment.
The complete program for each member will be up to 13 weeks in length and will be offered Monday - Friday, 3 PM – 7 PM. A specially selected curriculum and a proactive approach are utilized to engage youth and ensure the successful completion of the program.
Primary Life Skills - The life skills component provides training activities for members in health information, life skills development, drug resistance skills, social functioning, and instruction in the positive use of leisure time.
Enhanced Life Skills - This component has a series of guest speakers that will feature professionals from the business, faith-based and non-profit community who introduce youth to real workplace situations in various jobs and careers.
Employability Skills/Workforce Development - Employability skills/workforce development is provided to members to focus specifically on transitioning the skills learned in this program to assist them in acquiring unsubsidized part time or full-time employment.
Financial Management - Financial management focuses on how to manage a bank account and the importance of good credit. This component helps members develop a level of comfort in managing their resources and stabilizing their finances.
Technology - All members will have access to the advanced technology resources to help them succeed with their school work, choose a career and explore ways they can contribute to their communities. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to create digital artwork, produce their own music CD's, short movies and design web sites as well as a wide variety of other computer related activities.
Art and Recreation - Art and recreation activities are offered to members as a creative and exciting opportunity to express themselves in a social setting. During the art sessions, members are able to use drawings, form, and color to explore alternative ways to express themselves creatively. Outdoor and indoor recreation provides members an opportunity to have fun while learning and reinforcing skills that teach cooperation, sharing and problem solving.
