Rainbow Days

Website

https://rainbowdays.org/our-services/cbsg-program-2/

Program Description

Rainbow Days is a multi-cultural preventive intervention designed for children and youth ages 4-17 who are at high risk for substance use and other socio-behavioral problems. The program brings participants together in small group settings, where they develop skills related to handling difficult family situations, resisting negative peer pressure, setting and achieving goals, making healthy choices, and refusing alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Rainbow Days offers one curriculum for 4-12 year-olds and another for 10-17 year-olds.

Prevention Category

Selective
Indicated

Practice Level

Individual
Relationship
Community or Society

Strategies

Education

Practice Components

Level
Components
Individual
Connection to More Services
Cultural/Religious Focus
Pro-Social Connections and Activities
Relationship
Parenting Education/Skills
Peer Norm Development
Community/Society
Community-Based Processes

Risk and Protective Factors

Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Individual Risk Factors
Conduct disorder
Early and persistent antisocial behavior
Early initiation of substance use
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse
Negative emotional state
Poor coping skills and behaviors
Rebelliousness
Individual Protective Factors
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens
Emotional self-regulation
High self-esteem
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture
Positive social orientation (e.g., engaging in healthy activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement)
Positive temperament
Strong coping skills (e.g., problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values)
Family Risk Factors
Family conflict
Family experiences of poverty
Family management problems
History of family substance misuse
Lack of adult supervision
Substance use among caregivers
Family Protective Factors
Communication and contact between caregivers and youth
Family environment with structure, rules, predictability, and family supervision
Supportive relationships with family
School, Peer, and Community Risk Factors
Academic failure
Lack of plans or ambitions for the future
Low commitment to school
Norms favorable towards substance use
Substance use among peers
School, Peer, and Community Protective Factors
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community
Opportunities for the development of skills and interests
Physical and psychological safety
Presence of mentors and healthy adults for positive emotional support
Positive social norms
Schools and student bodies with strong academic commitment

Population Age

Age 6-12
Age 13-17

Populations of Focus

Black or African American
General Population
Hispanic or Latino
Persons Experiencing Homelessness

Settings

School (K-12)

Parental/Caregiver Involvement

Required

Substance Use Prevention Focus

Alcohol
Cannabis
Inhalants
Tobacco
Substance Use - General

Recommended Staffing

Prevention staff
Teachers or educators

Empirical Evidence of Impact

Substance Substance-Related Behavior Population Age Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus
Inhalants Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation Elementary School Promising (General Population)1
Substance Use (General) Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs Elementary School Promising (General Population)1-2
Substance Use (General) Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs Middle and High School Practice-Based Evidence (General Population)2
References

1 Hedl Jr, J. J. (2009) Reducing interrelated risks for substance abuse, delinquency, and violence. Effects of the Rainbow Days Curriculum-Based Support Group Program. Nonequivalent control group study—Study conducted in 2003; analysis conducted in 2007. Final Report: January 2008. Retrieved from https://www.rainbowdaystraining.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cbsg-control-group-study.pdf

2 Arocena, M. (2006). 2004-2005 State Outcome Evaluation Report: Rainbow Days Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG) Program. Report prepared for Texas Department of State Health Services. Retrieved from https://rainbowdays.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cbsg-statewide-evaluation.pdf

 

Training and Technical Assistance

Rainbow Days requires facilitator training, which is available both in-person and online. For further information on training opportunities and requirements, visit the Rainbow Days website listed above.

Adaptations

The program has been adapted for use in Christian faith-based settings and in homeless and domestic violence shelters, group homes, and other transitional settings.

Program Costs

Training is required before implementing Rainbow Days. Please visit the developer’s website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.

What California Providers Are Saying

We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing Rainbow Days. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.

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