INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — It is the season for “who’s naughty or nice” except at the Gifford Youth Activity Center where students choose to be “nice” all year long, thanks to the implementation of the Positive Behavioral Support Program. Under this program, teachers at the Center give students a token for positive behavior; the tokens can then be traded for tangible rewards. Such a ‘pay off’ makes it clear to the students what behavior is most desired. Over time the positive behaviors will become ingrained and a part of the student’s routine habits.
All teachers and staff members were trained or participated in workshops to familiarize themselves with the PBS program in early 2009. It is not new to Indian River County; the program is currently being used as an approach for behavioral modification in the Indian River County School District. This supplemental opportunity to provide the Positive Behavioral Support Program at the Gifford Youth Activity Center has come about through the professional cooperation of the Indian River County School District and the assistance of Tony Gallo and Laura McGill.
Already, the implementation of the Positive Behavioral Support Program at Gifford Youth Activity Center has resulted in a more peaceful environment conducive to the student’s learning. Information: Call Freddie L .Woolfork at (772) 794-1005, ext. 34.
