KTKA

A community group is working to give students skills to handle life situations through a program called Positive Action. "It teaches things as far as self concept, how to deal with negative situations, to turn a negative situation into a positive situation," Lynn Smith, Youth Development Coordinator with Safe Streets, said.

Smith said right now this program is taught in three schools in Shawnee County, but by the end of the school year it will be taught in 18 schools. "(We) provide them with tools to stay away from those negative risk factors as dropping out of school or joining a gang."

The program is available in third grade through high school. It helps with academics and school improvement, to behavior and prevention, to family and community.

By taking a proactive approach to making sure kids stay out of trouble it could save taxpayers money in the future. "This program will cost three dollars per student versus if we just wait and be reactive I believe in the trillions of dollars," Smith said.

This is a national program and studies show it can improve academics up 52 percent, reduce violence up 85 percent, and drug an alcohol use up to 71 percent.

It also helps with family improving parent involvement up to 85 percent, at the same time reducing property crimes up 57 percent. "We want to provide them with a tool set, that when they are faced with those challenges in their life they know how to deal with that," Smith said.

Many of the schools will begin the program when students come back from winter break or start up when school begins in August.

To see more of the statistics Positive Action provides click here: http://www.positiveaction.net/.

If you want more information on the community events Safe Streets are involved in click here: Safe Streets.