Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program

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The Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program is a unique, multi-cultural, evidence-based preventive intervention for selective and indicated populations.  The program is designed for individuals, ages 4-17, whose high-risk situations – including Adverse Childhood Experiences, attitudes and behaviors place them at elevated risk for future behavioral and health problems including substance abuse, delinquency and violence.

The support group modality sets the CBSG® Program apart from other preventive interventions.  Children and youth meet in confidential, small group settings and are taught a set of essential life skills to help them learn how to: cope with difficult family situations, resist negative peer pressure, respect themselves and others, set and achieve goals, make healthy choices, and refuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

The CBSG® Program is curriculum-based and has been recognized by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Empirical studies show that the CBSG® Program reduces anti-social attitudes and rebellious behavior, increases anti-drug-use attitudes and intentions, reduces early substance use/experimentation and increases coping and social skills.

The original CBSG® Program was developed in 1982 for use in schools and community-based settings. To accommodate a variety of settings, age groupings for schools and community-based settings are available in separate manuals.

CBSG® Program for Schools & Community-based Settings, also available under the titles:

• Kids’ Connection (ages 4-12); and
• Youth Connection (ages 10-17)

The CBSG® Program curriculum has been adapted to meet specific needs of certain populations:

• CBSG® Program for Homeless Shelters, Group Homes, & Transitional Settings (also known as Kids’ Connection, Too – Ages 4-15)
• CBSG® Program for Christian Faith-Based Settings (also known as Faith Connection – Ages 4-15)

To replicate the CBSG® Program, you must be trained as a facilitator.  Rainbow Days provides CBSG® Program Facilitator Training nationally and internationally.  Please refer to the Training Information & Services for details concerning training fees, schedules, etc.

General information on the CBSG® Program:

• CBSG® Program Overview
• What Rainbow Days Offers
• CBSG® Outcomes Approach Logic Model
• CBSG® Theory Approach Logic Model
• CBSG® Program Domains

CBSG® Program Scope and Sequences:

• Rainbow Days’ CBSG® Program: For Children and Youth Ages 4-17 for Use in Schools and Community Based Settings Scope and Sequence (Kids’ Connection & Youth Connection)
• Rainbow Days’ Rainbow Days’ CBSG® Program: For Children and Youth Ages 4-15 for Use in Christian Faith-Based Settings Scope and Sequence (Faith Connection)
• Rainbow Days’ CBSG® Program: For Children and Youth Ages 4-15 for Use in Shelters, Group Homes and Transitional Settings Scope and Sequence (Kids’ Connection, Too)

Evaluation Tools

New and improved evaluation tools you can use to document and tell your own stories of success and impact.  These include Pre/Post tests for grades 4-5 and 6-12; Scoring Instructions; and Outcome Statements you can personalize.

• Opening Paragraph for CBSG® Pre/Post
• CBSG® Pre/Post Grades 4-5
• CBSG® Pre/Post Grades 6-12
• CBSG® Scoring Instructions Grades 4-5 and 6-12
• CBSG® Outcome Statements

Information & Permission Documents

The following items have been developed for your use when communicating with Partners and Parents/Guardians regarding the implementation of the CBSG® Program. Materials specific to each adaptation, Kids’ Connection, Youth Connection and Kids’ Connection, Too and are linked to below.

Kids’ Connection:

• Kids’ Connection Information & Permission Documents (.pdf)
• CBSG® Program Description (.pdf)
• KC Group 10-Session Topics & Major Messages (.pdf)
• KC Group 12-Session Topics & Major Messages (.pdf)
• KC Partner Letter (.docx)
• KC Parent/Guardian Permission Letter (.docx)
• KC Participant Rights (.docx)
• CBSG® Publications Consent/Release of Liability (.docx)

Youth Connection:

• Youth Connection Information & Permission Documents (.pdf)
• CBSG® Program Description (.pdf)
• YC Group 10-Session Topics & Major Messages (.pdf)
• YC Group 12-Session Topics & Major Messages (.pdf)
• YC Partner Letter (.docx)
• YC Parent/Guardian Permission Letter (.docx)
• YC Participant Rights (.docx)
• CBSG® Publications Consent/Release of Liability (.docx)

Kids’ Connection, Too:

• KCT Program Information & Permission Documents (.pdf)
• CBSG® Program Description (.pdf)
• KCT Group Sessions & Major Messages (.pdf)
• KCT Partner Letter (.docx)
• KCT Parent/Guardian Permission Letter (.docx)
• KCT Participant Rights (.docx)
• CBSG® Publications Consent/Release of Liability (.docx)

Research & Evaluation

Independent review of the CBSG® Program conducted by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) 2011-2018:

• Evidence Review

Information on the CBSG® Program Research and Evaluation:

• CBSG® Program Evaluation Summary
• Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS)
• Evaluation Study #1 Report
• Texas Department of State Health Services, Statewide Evaluation – CBSG® Program 
• Evaluation Study #2 Manuscript 

Additional research articles:

•  Inhalant Abuse: Deadly, on the Rise Again, Linked to Delinquency and Violence, and Preventable, Report by John J. Hedl, PhD –