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PTB Training Provides Practical Skills for Working With Youth

Policing the Teen Brain Trainings

Policing the Teen Brain™ (PTB) is a training program that provides officers with the information and skills they need to effectively interact with youth. The 2-4 day training translates cutting edge psychiatric practice and neurological research into practical skills for officers to improve, facilitate and help de-escalate interactions with children and youth. These trainings are targeted for patrol officers as well as specialized units, such as school resource officers.

SFY’s Policing the Teen Brain™ has been certified by IADLEST as part of the National Certification Program™ 

Police Training Courses

Strategies for Youth offers several versions of the Policing the Teen Brain training:

  • Policing the Teen Brain
    Our signature law enforcement training program. Offers officers insights into adolescent brain development and behavior, de-escalation strategies, and connection to local youth-serving providers.
  • Policing the Teen Brain in School
    Includes the core Policing the Teen Brain curriculum and adds information specific to the work of School Resource Officers and School Security Officers. The impact of Learning and Behavioral disabilities on officer/student interactions is also included.
  • Policing Youth on Public Transit
    This is a custom curriculum that applies the Policing the Teen Brain to the unique challenges of providing law enforcement and security in a public transit environment.
  • Policing Youth Chronically Exposed to Trauma & Violence
    This is a half-day session designed to be incorporated into a recruit-level law enforcement academy curriculum. Starts by presenting the sources and impact of trauma on brain development. Offers proven tactics for responding to youth in a trauma-informed manner.

Each training is developed with police officers and involves community-based youth-serving organizations, and local youth who are paid to participate in role-plays. Methods of instruction include interactive discussions with adolescent development experts and psychiatrists, films, and involvement of community youth.

Learn More:  PTB Principles of Training


“I'm going to speak to kids more calmly and with more respect now that I understand how they think.”
Patrol OfficerSan Francisco, CA

“I found the training to be extremely helpful and insightful. It has completely changed the way I deal with young people!”
Patrol Officer
Patrol OfficerOmaha, NE
“I thought the training was fantastic. Understanding the science and biology of what is going on in the brain is so important to removing preconceived notions regarding the attitudes and stigma of teenagers. I also found the review of available community resources very helpful.”
Patrol Officer
Patrol OfficerOmaha, NE

“This training helped me to better understand how to interact with kids and how they see me as a police officer.”
Recruit 
Recruit Cleveland Division of Police

"I now have a better understanding of the adolescent brain and the effects of trauma."
School Resource OfficerOmaha, NE

“It's great info that is absolutely necessary.”
Patrol Officer
Patrol OfficerOmaha, NE
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What Does the training Include?

Each Training Includes:

  • Lectures, scenario-based examples, interactive discussions, use of films and skits involving community youth
    • Key elements of adolescent brain development.
    • Why teens Perceive, Process, and Respond differently than adults.
    • Recognizing and responding to common mental health issues among teens.
    • The role of trauma in youths’ reactions to authority.
    • Proven tactics for the de-escalation of interactions with teens.
  • Scenario-based examples, interactive discussions, and role-plays involving community youth
    • Video examples of police/youth interactions demonstrating successful strategies.
    • Small and large group problem-solving discussions that build on the lecture topics.
    • Role-play exercises with local youth to demonstrate course concepts and to provide direct feedback from youth.
  • Baseline and post-training evaluations of officers’ attitudes and knowledge of core competencies for each training
    • Summary report of evaluations and training impact provided to agency leadership with recommendations for additional actions if needed.

Download The Policing the Teen Brain Process to learn more.

Interested in offering a PTB Training?

SFY provides trainings on site as well as in Boston, MA. For more information or to find out how you can offer Policing the Teen Brain in your department contact Strategies for Youth. Prices vary according to the number of officers to be trained and location.
617.714.3789 or info@strategiesforyouth.org

Why Officers Like PTB Training

SFY training supports officers:

  • Making interactions with youth easier and faster, less conflicted and more compliant
  • Asserting authority effectively with youth with reduced reliance on force and arrest
  • Recognizing and responding appropriately to youth presenting mental health and addiction issues

Why Police Departments Like PTB Training

  • Demonstrate investment in youth and increase youths’ trust and communication with police
  • Support good community relations and reduce complaints
  • Reduce departments’ overtime and court costs by partnering with youth serving, community-based organizations for low-level offenses

Why Youth-Serving Organizations Like PTB Training

  • Develop relationships with police who can serve as role models, guides and resources
  • Promote law enforcement careers with youth
  • Increase safety in schools and neighborhoods
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