Implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® in a Charter School at a Residential Facility for At-Risk Youth.

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) in a secondary charter school located at a residential facility for at-risk youth. This intervention has been used successfully with individual families, group homes, summer camps, and more recently, school environments. Through TBRI, school staff created conditions to help children succeed behaviorally with strategies grouped into three evidenced-based principles: (a) empowering, (b) connecting, and (c) correcting. After implementation, results showed that students were more likely to discuss their problematic issues with counselors, used less profanity, were less likely to complain and had fewer behavioral incidents (i.e., physical and verbal aggression, disruptive behavior). In addition, school staff reported improved school culture including an overall more positive mood and countenance among staff and students.