Prevention Programming for Latino Youth (PPLY) (known popularly as "Club Xtreme")

PPLY is funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Addictive Diseases, Office of Prevention Services and Programs.

A Program for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, Violence, Dropping Out and Related Problems.

PPLY provides after-school and in-school programming to Latino middle school youth (ages 11-15) and their parents in seven sites located in North Georgia and Metro Atlanta. PPLY utilizes evidence-based, culturally appropriate programming and has been shown to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use, increase school bonding, improve grades and school attendance, decrease disciplinary actions and improve communication skills (EMSTAR Research is the evaluator).

Because youth being served at each site differ in their abilities regarding spoken and written Spanish and English, the oral and written program components are presented in Spanish and/or English as needed.

After-School Format

PPLY is a 6-hour per week after-school program for elementary and middle school youth and their parents/parent surrogates.

Additional features of the after-school program, based on needs of the Latino youth to be served, will include English lessons, tutorials for academic enrichment, recreational and arts & crafts activities.

After-School positions at each site consist of a Site Coordinator, a Lead Facilitator and an Assistant Facilitator.

In-School Format

PPLY can also be presented in an abbreviated in-school format as a part of the school day. The core of PPLY, model ATOD programs, is presented via this format.

La Familia: Parental Involvement

Because La Familia (the family) is central to Hispanic/Latino culture, Family Meetings occur at least once a month. The agenda includes parents learning about what their son and/or daughter has been doing in PPLY for the last month.

Evaluation Results
Independent evaluation by the Burruss Institute for Public Service and Research at Kennesaw State University has shown that PPLY decreases alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use, increases school attendance and grades, increases perception of risk and harm due to ATOD, increases knowledge of negative effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and decreases disciplinary referrals to school administration.

Bilingual staff facilitate PPLY at each site.

Facilitator to Youth Ratio: 1 to 10.

For more information on PPLY, contact Dr. Gregg Raduka: graduka@livedrugfree.org

Program Components

Host Agencies

Testimonials

Elizabeth Prieto - Weed & Seed Poster Contest Winner