Overview.
Youth sports are an already recognized way for individuals to build resilience. However, youth sports programs have multiple additional opportunities to build resilience that are likely unrecognized and untapped. By providing a short curriculum, resources, and training to youth sports coaches, this program has the ability to cross levels of the socio ecological model to build resilience. As the title of our program suggests, Tackling Trauma, we are targeting coaches of youth tackle sports. By targeting youth sports coaches, this program can have an impact at an early stage of development, while also being able to impact a diverse community of children that participate in sports including different races, ethnicities, and socio-economic status. Youth Coaches are already helping children who may have experienced ACEs by being a steady, stable caregiver for these children. Outside of school, home, and some possible after school programs, youth sports coaches spend a large amount of time with our children, providing another valuable resource to make a difference in these children’s lives.
Program Components.
I envision multiple components to our program including, but not limited to: how a coach can recognize and support/refer a traumatized child, building a positive team culture and social environment, games to build confidence, bullying prevention and positive peer relationships, ways to provide social support for parents, and ways to build allies in the community
Three health communication materials
1. Brochure – this will explain the online training opportunities and serve as primary source of information on the program, “Tackling Trauma”. A brochure is an accessible form of communication that can be mailed to registered coaches of youth football and rugby throughout the state. It will also refer to our website which will have additional resources for coaches to complete online training. In addition, brochures can be provided to outlets for a variety of youth sports coaches that may be interested in the program, and thus would be sent to Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and associated youth sport organizations. The most informative of the 3 materials, also most information dense, with phrases including “Similar programs have been shown to reduce the prevalence of crime, violence, and other adolescent risk behaviors like drug use and pave the way for positive outcomes in adulthood.”
2. Infographic – The infographic will be our primary source of sharing on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. In addition, an infographic may be more accessible for those that prefer a short story to communicate. It will outline short steps a coach may take with players to build resilience and where to find more information on training or for referrals. An infographic also can easily be converted into a print poster.
3. Public Service Announcement – A public service announcement can be shared on the radio and can also be shared using social media, or may be a short advertisement for the program as an ad on youtube. My goal was to use a “celebrity endorsement” as the voice for the intro on the program. Since I didn’t want to attain this without the program fully developed, I used a pretend celebrity, my friend CJ who I think is a star in everyday life. Coming up with 5 to 7 main points to try to convey was too much in a short period of “air” time even though this is what is suggested by some introduction to PSA websites. Given my limited capabilities on video creation, at this time, the PSA is intended to be audio only but is saved in ppt form. I used a male voice, which partially goes against everything I want for equality, however the group I am trying to reach will be largely male and there are a variety of studies that male voice is more likely to be considered trustworthy for leadership (O’Connor and Barclay, 2017- but there are many).
Summary
Relationships with caring adults who are positive role models can prevent ACEs and improve future outcomes for young people. Furthermore, there are opportunities for positive outcomes at several levels of the socio ecologic model using this program, including improved confidence and self management at the individual level,peer and adult/child caregiver relationship building, as well as community opportunities by providing support for parents and using the team as a way to build allies in the community.
Thank you to Professor Dixon and the other lecturers for the opportunity to begin this work, and hope it is something I can put into practice within the next year. Tacklingtrauma.com
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