Breakout Training Institute::..

The Breakout Training Institute (BTI), the training department of California Youth Outreach (CYO), promotes awareness and provides training to build the capacity of individuals, families and communities to prevent the participation of youth in gangs and help acquire the knowledge and skills needed to assist those that are looking to leave the gang lifestyle.

Breakout Training Institute (BTI) and Consultation Services consist of Awareness Presentations, Staff Development Training & Consultation Services, and Competency Development.  Material is delivered in a large group setting which makes this a cost-effective alternative to individual training. 

• Awareness Presentations: Educate parents, teachers and communities to detect gang presence in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.  A minimum of 50 attendees is required unless otherwise specified.  Presentations may be available in languages other than English.    
  
  “A Call to Action” – This 2-hour presentation focuses on The Most Common Reasons Why Youth Join Gangs, Identifying Gang Paraphernalia, “What is a Gang?” - How Individuals are Validated, and "Gang-Proofing Your Child".  Parents, foster-parents, group home staff and child advocates are encouraged to attend.
   
  “A Community Response” – This 4-hour presentation is a must for all neighborhood associations, merchants, churches, City Council members and other community leaders.  Detecting gang presence in the neighborhoods, Most common reasons why youth join gangs, Gang Types, How gangs are defined, The Serious Impact of Gangs in our Communities, Community Resources available.
  
  “Gangs in School” – This 2-hour presentation is targeted at teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals and all other school personnel in mind.  Participants will learn the 5 Basic reasons why kids join gangs, identifying gang presence through paraphernalia, the "Do's & Don'ts" of working with gang youth in the classroom, and The Early Signs of Gang Involvement.  (25 attendees min.)  

• Staff Development Training & Consultation Services: Consultation services for specific program development and capacity building on how to better identify and work with gang involved youth are available to community-based organizations; youth service providers, juvenile justice/law enforcement personnel and school officials.  A certificate of completion is awarded to all those that complete training requirements.  A minimum of 25 participants is required for all trainings.  Trainings are available in English only.
  
  “Gangs:  The Sub-Culture” (Gang Level I) – This full 8-hour session provides an in-depth view into the gang lifestyle and why gangs exist, the characteristics of the sub-culture (including the mindset and the values), gang types and the gang structure.  Recommended for Service Providers of At-Risk/Gang Involved youth: Youth Intervention Workers, Outreach Workers, Gang Intervention Specialists, Recreation Workers, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, Family Therapists, etc.
  
  “Working with Gang-Involved Youth” (Gang Level II) – A full two-day training with a focus on: How to Assess a Youth's Level of Gang Involvement in Order to Provide the Proper Interventions, "Bank of Trust" to Build a Healthy Working Relationship with Youth, 7 Key Elements in Creating an Environment for Effective Programming, Evidence-Based Strategies for Working with the Population.  Recommended for individuals that are currently working with gang youth and that have completed Gang Level I or equivalent.
  
  Specialized Training (Gang Level III) - Specialized training on a specific gang group (i.e. Bulldogs, Norteños, Sureños, Border Brothers) to include history of the specified gang that meets the needs of a specified community gang problem.  Recommended for individuals that are currently working with gang youth and that have completed Gang Level II or equivalent.
  
  Consultation & Program Development – Consult and develop plans and services tailored to the particular characteristics and needs of an organization and their community gang problems.  Skill-building workshops can be provided for competent service delivery in the areas of Case Management, Recreational/Social Activities, Care and Support, Street Outreach, and School-Based Programming.

• Competency Development: Skill-building workshops for parents and youth looking to find their way out of the gang lifestyle.  A minimum of 25 participants is required.  Workshops are available in English only.
  
  Gang Awareness Program (GAP) – Recommended for youth that are entertaining the idea of joining a gang.  GAP addresses the truths related to living the gang lifestyle and the myths and misconceptions that commitments are being made to and by the youth.
  
  Gang Redirection & Intervention Program (GRIP) – An intervention program targeting those that are already involved in the gang lifestyle and under the jurisdiction on Probation, Parole or other Law Enforcement agencies for gang-related crimes or offenses.  This program is designed to educate youth on the long term effects of living a gang lifestyle, as well as, identify pro-social circles and activities that will help them leave the gang lifestyle.
  
  “Survival Skills for Healthy Families” – Family wellness is promoted through basic and practical parenting techniques.  This unique, interactive approach to skill-building gives participants hands-on experience in a coaching setting.  Subjects include Effective Communication, Alternatives to Physical Discipline, Problem Solving, Healthy Adult Relationships and Passing Your Values to Your Children.