This NNED Forum Call that took place on August 31, 2010 featured Project Venture, an evidence-based practice for high risk middle school-aged American Indian youth. Project Venture is an outdoors experiential youth development program that relies on American Indian traditional values to help youth develop positive self-concept, effective social skills, a community service ethic, internal locus of control, and increased decision-making and problem-solving skills. This unique program has been recognized by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs & Practices (NREPP) as the first Native American model program. If you are a NNED Member, register by clicking here. To become a NNED Member free of charge click here.

Presenter:
Beth Wonson, National Director of Operations, National Indian Youth Leadership Project

Ms. Wonson is also a trainer and consultant for sites seeking to implement Project Venture. Beth has nearly 20 years experience in youth development, juvenile justice, education, outreach and communications. A graduate of Salem State College, Salem MA, Beth has held positions both in special education and school administration, served on the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) board of directors and was a member of the senior management team at Project Adventure (PA), an international non-profit training and consulting organization for 11 years and was responsible for development and implementation of whole-school and whole-agency professional development programs. In addition to training, Beth oversees NIYLP’s replication, implementation, publications, outreach and communications and development strategies.

After the webinar, interested participants can apply to join the newest NNED Community of Practice (CoP) to receive further training on how to implement this program in their communities.