Causes: Behavioral Science, Human Services

Mission: In too many settings, behaviorally challenging kids are still poorly understood, and treated in ways that are punitive, adversarial, reactive, unilateral, ineffective, and counterproductive. This scenario places these kids at serious risk for a variety of adverse outcomes. Thanks to the sizable body of research that has accumulated over the past 50 years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the factors underlying challenging behavior, and points toward lagging skills (rather than lagging motivation) as the key factor. However, this research has been slow to influence assessment and treatment in many settings. Our mission is to build on that knowledge, the sizable body of research supporting the effectiveness of the CPS model, and our experiences in working with families, schools, inpatient units, residential and juvenile detention facilities, and government agencies, to change the lives of behaviorally challenging kids and their caregivers. We've prioritized four key initiatives in pursuit of this mission:Open Access: The CPS model has dramatically improved outcomes for behaviorally challenging kids in many different settings. Through this website, we ensure that Dr. Greene's vision -- that parents, educators, mental health clinicians, and staff in restrictive therapeutic facilities have easy access to vast resources on the CPS model at no charge -- is realized. Lead the Change: Our Kids Advocacy Action Network (KAAN) takes action whenever we learn of schools and facilities that are treating behaviorally challenging kids in ways that are punitive and adversarial, and counterproductive. Through Action Alerts, our thousands of advocates reach out and urge a shift in thinking and point people to resources to empower change. Share A New View: Dr. Greene's mantra -- Kids do well if they can -- propels caregivers toward interventions that are non-punitive, non-adversarial, skill-building, communication-enhancing, proactive, and collaborative. . . and away from traditional disciplinary practices such as time-outs, sticker charts, detentions, suspensions, and paddlings. Getting the word out, through our Public Awareness Campaign, is imperative! There are lives in the balance!Fix The System: At-risk kids and their families often have difficulty accessing the help they need. Systems of care often struggle to coordinate efforts and communicate, and kids and families can get lost in the process. But those things can be fixed, and Lives in the Balance has developed an ambitious, practical, realistic plan to make it happen!

Target demographics: behaviorally challenging kids and their caretakers

Direct beneficiaries per year: 21 schools via biweekly coaching, held 10 workshops, delivered 56 purchased care packages and 37 complimentary care packages

Programs: a website with free information about the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model, interactive radio programs for parents, educators, and clinicians, workshops, the 1st Aid Project, Kids Advocacy Action Network (KAAN). . . and much more.