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Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

This is the program that started it all. A Parent’s Guide to Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior (CDAB) is the only parent training program that addresses the MOST destructive of adolescent behaviors. Now in its 15th edition, CDAB has become the program of choice for parents raising difficult or out-of-control teens. The American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law, named the Parent Project the largest court-mandated juvenile diversion program in the country. With a focus on improving both school attendance and performance, CDAB has become a favorite of middle and high school educators as well.

✔ Affordable: At $29 per family, CDAB is the least expensive of all practical intervention models.

✔ Effective: Using a behavioral model, CDAB addresses the critical issues parents face today and offers concrete, step-by-step solutions, not theory.

✔ Need-based: CDAB is the only curriculum actually created by parent questions. Over 500,000 parents of high-risk youth helped to develop this unique program.

✔ Easy to Teach: The Teacher’s Guide is the most comprehensive in the industry. Icon driven, the guide walks teachers through visuals, lectures, and group activities that help to provide parents with a smooth process for change.

✔ The Best Teaching Strategies: CDAB is an activity-based curriculum built on cooperative learning norms. Parents work in groups to brainstorm, practice applying new ideas, and build support. The “magic” happens at the tables.

✔ Parent Support: CDAB uses the UCLA self-help support group model to create on-going, parent-led community support groups.

Carla's Story

Program Goals:

  • Reduce Family Conflict
  • Reduce Juvenile Crime
  • Reduce Recidivism
  • Improve School Attendance and Performance

Critical Issues Addressed:

  • Arguing and Family Conflict
  • Childhood Trauma
  • Poor School Performance
  • Truancy and Dropouts
  • Media Influences
  • Early Teen Sexuality
  • Teen Drug Use
  • Youth Gangs
  • Teen Violence and Bullying
  • Runaways

Who teaches the program?

  • Law Enforcement
  • Schools
  • Juvenile Courts and Probation
  • Mental Health Organizations
  • Churches
  • Community-Based Organizations
  • Over 9,000 trained facilitators in 40 states

“One of three exemplary community police programs in the state." -Calif.  State Attorney General

“Distinguished Program of the Year.” -California Youth Authority

To preview Unit 1 of Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior in English, click here.

To preview Unit 1 of Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior in Spanish, click here.

To download a Facilitator Training Informational brochure, click here.

Click here to learn more about the Parent Project Facilitator Training