Hamilton Alliance Programs

HAASA uses the funding it receives to support the following programs in Township schools:

• Strive to Thrive - Camp Fire NJ provides this Social-Emotional Character Development Program that empowers young people with the tools to rise above their everyday challenges and become the best they can be.  The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies are incorporated into an 8-week program presented to 8th grade students. Camp Fire instructors help students develop a positive self-concept necessary for thoughtful decision-making regarding coping skills and relationships, as well as conflict resolution, achievement of goals, and avoidance of substance abuse.
  
  
• What's in your backpack - This program is presented to middle school students during one session of their health class. The program will provide information about how the family disease of alcoholism and addiction can affect adolescents’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Specifically, the program explains how emotions and feelings that adolescents carry daily can affect their social interactions and relationships with others. “What’s in Your Backpack?” provides information and discussion about trust, choices, shame, and loneliness. It gives a different perspective on what adolescents are dealing with in their homes and other environmental influences. The program will be used as a tool for empowering individuals to focus on positive qualities and helping adolescents to change their outlook on their current situation. This program aims to provide the students with the knowledge to rethink challenging situations and help change their daily reactions to them. Along with the explanation of the 12-step program, information about other options and support systems offered within their community can be given. 
  
  
• teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) - Mental Health first aid training for adults who work with youth have been an effective tool in diffusing mental health crises, however, studies have shown that peer to peer interactions can have an even more personal impact on teens.  The creators of Mental Health First Aid have developed an evidence based program for teens to learn Mental Health First Aid so that they can better understand, more easily identify, and respond to their own peers struggles with mental health challenges, suicide risk and other risk factors in their peers, including substance abuse.  This program was designed specifically for those in grades 10-12.  Peers are trained to help de-escalate potentially life-risking situations, provide resources, and helping with specific areas such as trauma, self-injury, substance use, violence and many other vital topics