One Circle Foundation Gender-Responsive Support Programs
Program Description
The One Circle Foundation’s gender-responsive support programs include Girls Circle, the Council for Boys and Young Men, and Unity Circle (a group for all genders focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles). These groups foster resilience, positive identity, and healthy relationships among youth aged 9-18, inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth with different gender identities. Through strength-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral techniques, sessions address critical topics like body image, decision-making, and coping strategies. The interactive activities, guided discussions, and reflective exercises encourage self-expression, skill-building, and peer connections to reduce risky behaviors such as substance use and delinquency.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 10-18 | Promising (Females)1-3 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 12-18 | Practice-Based Evidence (Females)1 |
| References
1 Gies, S. V., Cohen, M. I., Edberg, M., Bobnis, A., Spinney, E., & Berger, E. (2015). The Girls Circle: An evaluation of a structured support program for girls. [Report, U.S. Department of Justice]. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/grants/252708.pdf 2 Irvine, A., & Roa, J. (2010). Title II evaluation: Gender-specific programs in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties, 2007-2010. [Report, Ceres Policy Research]. https://onecirclefoundation.org/media/pdfs/Research-GC-Final_Report_CAS.pdf 3 Roa, J., Irvine, A., & Cervanez, K. (2007). Girls Circle national research project. [Report, Ceres Policy Research]. https://onecirclefoundation.org/media/pdfs/Research-GC-Final_Report_2007.pdf |
|||
Training and Technical Assistance
One Circle periodically offers two- and three-day online trainings for its programs, and has a publicly available FAQ webpage to support implementation.
Adaptations
The original One Circle program was Girl’s Circle, which has been adapted for use with males (Council for Boys and Young Men) and individuals of all genders (Unity Circle).
Program Costs
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 One Circle Gender-Responsive Programs. If you have implemented any of them, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Selective,
Indicated,
Individual,
Relationship,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Alternatives,
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies,
Motivational Enhancement,
Pro-Social Connections and Activities (prosocial adults, peers, organizations),
Problem Solving,
Psychoeducation,
Self-efficacy/self-esteem enhancement,
Skills Training,
Peer Norm Development,
Community-based Processes, community based processes,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Internalizing behaviors (e.g. anxiety, depression, social withdrawal),
Negative emotional state,
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
Rebelliousness,
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 health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Family management problems,
Lack of adult supervision,
Poor attachment with caregivers,
Academic failure,
Lack of plans or ambitions for the future,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
LGBTQ+, LGBTQ,
No parent/caregiver involvement,
Alcohol,
Cannabis,
Home,
School (K-12), k-12,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed), health social,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (licensed),
Prevention Staff,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators,