Open Doors: Communication is Key

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Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Overview

Open Doors: Communication is Key is an evidence-based curriculum that aims to teach communication skills while increasing self-efficacy for youth in correctional facilities. The curriculum consists of eight, 60-minute sessions that work on specific communication skills that can aid youth offenders. Utilizing Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, Open Doors is designed to foster a sense of self-efficacy for this population. Program outcomes will be measured with the General Self-Efficacy Scale and individual communication skill questions to ensure such skills are being met. The goal of this program is to further develop evidence-based practice within the field of recreational therapy.

Anna Alvey, MS, CTRS

About the Curriculum Developer

Anna Alvey is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) who graduated with a Master of Science in recreational therapy from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse in 2024. She received her bachelor's degree in 2023 from UWL in recreational therapy as well as a minor in psychology. She completed her internship at Utah State Hospital working with adults with various mental health disorders in a forensic unit. In the past, she has worked with older adults and youth, but her passion is working with youth with mental health disorders.

Curriculum Training

Training Overview:

Take the Pre-Training Quiz
Watch the Training Video
Review the Fidelity Manual
Take the Post-Training Quiz

Training Quizzes:

Click the link to access the quiz

Pre-Training Quiz: Click HERE
Post-Training Quiz: Click HERE

The Fidelity Manual: Click Here to Download

Watch the Training Video Below

Client Assessment

Assessment Description/Explanation

General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE):

The General Self-Efficacy Scale is an assessment tool that measures sense of perceived self-efficacy with the aim to predict coping with daily hassles as well as adaptation after experiencing kinds of stressful life events. This assessment is a 10-item questionnaire that uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 "not at all true" to 4, "exactly true". Youth offenders will self-assess themselves prior to the first session and immediately after the session, as long as they attend 6-8 sessions. The CTRS running the program will then score the assessments (scoring information can be found in Appendix A along with the full assessment).

Assessment of Communication Skills:

Communication skills are assessed by each individual session due to the varied length of stay for youth offenders. This also considers that youth may not be able to attend every session. Individual communication skills are located in the debrief section at the end of each session.

These skills are also listed in the ‘Key Takeaways’ section of the evaluation form. Participants can take this section with them as a bookmark, serving as a reminder of the specific communication skill they learned that week. For a complete list of specific communication skills, please refer to Appendix D. This will allow for a comprehensive assessment of the skills together.

Assessment Download

Download the GSE HERE

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation/Description

To ensure the ongoing quality of this program, the CTRS who leads Open Doors: Communication is Key will complete a program evaluation form each time the curriculum is implemented. As the program's author, my commitment lies in delivering top-tier care to clients through this fidelity manual. The quality assurance system is crafted to facilitate the continuous evolution and enhancement of Open Doors: Communication is Key Curriculum. It is essential that the program form is filled out within two weeks following the program completion.

Program Evaluation Download

Download Program Evaluation HERE

Research Poster

This poster was presented by Anna Alvey at the 2024 UW-L Research & Creativity Symposium.

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