RESET (Formerly Second Chance)

R.E.S.E.T. is Arlington’s early intervention and education program for getting youth back on track for a healthy and productive life.

Youth are putting their futures at risk

Before they graduate from high school, 76% of Arlington teens will have tried alcohol at one time or another. Almost half will have used marijuana. These alarming facts come from the 2010 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.

Use of prohibited substances is a problem because teens who drink or use drugs are much more likely to have slipping or failing grades, unplanned and unprotected sex, accidents resulting in serious injury, and other high risk behaviors. The earlier teens start, the more likely they will experience addiction problems later in life. And a teen’s developing brain is highly vulnerable to the disruptive effects of alcohol and drugs — which can result in lifelong problems with important cognitive skills like attention, learning and memory.

About R.E.S.E.T.

R.E.S.E.T. diverts youth who complete the program from school suspension and the juvenile-justice system and, ultimately, changes behaviors of Arlington youth engaged in substance use.

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Intervention and education are the key

Traditional punishment sends the behavior underground. Suspensions and court involvement leave well-meaning friends, coaches, teachers and parents without a positive alternative for helping students they worry about. The long-term consequences of many traditional forms of punishment keep some from finding interventions that can help.

A community-wide effort

R.E.S.E.T. is the result of widespread community support spearheaded by Partnerships for a Healthier Arlington. Program developers conducted focus groups, met with other jurisdictions, and engaged students, counselors, teachers and school officials, the judicial system, public health and public safety officials, the Commonwealth’s Attorney and, most importantly, parents.

Funding Sources

The Arlington County Board, the Arlington School Board and private donors currently provide funding for R.E.S.E.T.
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR) (formerly the Century Council) provided partial support for the first two years of the program.
Arlington’s READY Coalition provided funding for the development of the curriculum and some of the evaluation.