Change of Heart
(Artistic Alternatives to Violence)

Program Implementation:

Step 1: Planning

Because each community has its own particular culture (with its own needs, concerns and resources) each program must necessarily at the planning stage of practical implementation, address the specific needs, concerns and resources of those individuals taking responsibilities for the administration of each program component.

Therefore, there must first be a seminar/workshop/planning session among those already committed to the project to create a program infrastructure, satisfactory to all those involved (e.g., addressing already mandated needs of participating schools; involvement strategies of parents and parent groups as well as of artists and arts agencies; scientific involvement in the requisite evaluation procedures; and training of involved personnel in mental health best practices and mental illness interventions.

Step 2: Training

Initial training of all directly involved personnel in:
These should be begun simultaneously with each target group of trainees (teaching artists, educators and parents) learning separately, at first, the content of each seminar directly addressing their particular roles in the implementation process, and then brought together for practical understanding of how they may most effectively work together to achieve their common goals.

NOTE: The duration of these initial trainings will be dependent on time availability of key personnel in the implementation process, availability of project funds, and the starting date agreed on for program implementation.

Step 3: Implementation, Evaluation, Expansion

Actual program implementation in selected schools or organizations. During this period of time (quarter, semester or school year, depending on the degree to which initial objectives are demonstrating visible progress in classrooms), the first stage of the entire Change of Heart program will be tested, documented and evaluated. The following procedures will need to be followed.
  1. First findings are published and disseminated to the appropriate organizations and agencies.
  2. 2. Grants and other kinds of funding are raised to continue and expand the program.
  3. 3. Leading personnel (teaching artists, educators, counselors and parents) are selected to become mentors and begin training others to continue and expand their work.
  4. Instructional materials and teachers’ resources (in addition to those initially provided) are written, published and disseminated.
  5. Ongoing on-site progress is reported, staff development and one-on-one consultation ensures progress is being made as anticipated—along with program refinement and adaptation to changing circumstances.
  6. The program is expanded into other organizations, or classrooms and schools within the participating school district.

Step 4: Dissemination

Once the Change of Heart program has been proven successful, determination can be made by all involved as to how long and how widely the program may be expanded. Experience and documentation will then be available as a guideline as to how best to proceed.

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