Prevention Services are offered in all Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo sites through the Prevention Department. Several Clubs have Prevention Specialist based directly in the Clubhouses. Prevention Specialists assist the Clubhouse staff with dealing with behavioral issues within the Clubhouse, complete prevention and health & life skills programming, help youth with anger management skills, and work with families to find support services.
The Prevention Specialist position is a unique position within our Clubhouses. This staff member is thought of as being the "Case Management" staff within the Club. They not only work with youth that have been identified as needing assistance but also work with the other youth in the Clubhouse to try and help prevent them from heading down the "wrong path" later in life.
Prevention Specialists work with staff to provide programming that best meets the youth's needs. They also assist Club staff with discipline issues within the Clubhouse. The Prevention Specialist will take the youth and work with them one on one so the Club staff can continue to provide programming and be able to supervise all of the other youth in the Clubhouse. Prevention Specialists will provide transportation and/or support to parents for meetings regarding their youth such as parent/teacher conferences.
Prevention Specialists can provide case management services to empower our youth and parents to be more sufficient by supplying them with knowledge and resources they need to be successful. We have formed alliances with the Care Management Coalition and several other agencies to be able to provide to help our families in need.
Major projects include:
- Operation Santa - we provide Christmas for families; this includes clothing, shoes, coats, toys etc.
- School Supplies - at the beginning of each school year we provide members with needed school supplies. Smaller items are distributed throughout the school year.
- Clothing program - is by referral only. Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs and their families can receive clothing through this program.
- Sight for Students - is by referral only and income verification is needed to receive vision screening and glasses free of charge.
- Wraparound Initiative - youth are referred by their Care Coordinator. Prevention Specialists will provide case management services while also receiving all programming offered in the Clubhouse.
Parent Social Nights are offered twice a month at several of our Clubhouses. These nights are to give parents an opportunity to get together with Clubhouse staff and talk about any concerns, issues, problems, accomplishments, or to ask questions. Refreshments are served.
