In June 2005, the Violence Institute completed a three-year evaluation of I Can Problem Solve (ICPS), which was implemented in kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms in randomly selected schools in Passaic , NJ . I Can Problem-Solve is a school-based intervention that trains children to identify thoughts and feelings that produce conflict, and generate a variety of solutions to interpersonal problems. Funded by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the proposal addresses the problem of minority youth overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system.

Children’s behavior change was assessed using two instruments: the Preschool Social Behavior Change Scale (PSBS; Crick, Casas & Mosher, 1997); as well as the Hahnemann Behavior Rating Scale (HBRS; Shure, 2002). These scales include items on physical and verbal aggression, victimization, emotional control, inhibited and withdrawn behavior, and empathy.

The ICPS effort is the second joint venture of the Violence Institute and Passaic Public Schools. From 1999 through 2001, the VINJ participated in the Lincoln Middle School Violence Prevention Taskforce. The Taskforce is a collaborative effort between the district, the Passaic police juvenile division, county probation, the Mental Health Clinic of Passaic and its School-Based Youth Services Program, the Hispanic Information Center, the United Passaic Organization, and the Violence Institute.

Using a data-informed planning approach, the Taskforce undertook student surveys and focus groups, and set measurable goals and objectives based on those data findings. The data-driven planning model used by the Taskforce mirrored that of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Project, in which Passaic also participated.

I Can Problem Solve is part of a now continuous effort by Passaic Public Schools to provide violence prevention services and teachings to students. Based on the data findings and measurable objectives, the LMS Violence Prevention Taskforce applied for a received a Youth Violence Prevention Cooperative Agreement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to expand its adolescent violence prevention initiative to reach students in sixth through twelfth grades. Lincoln Middle School has also adopted the Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways prevention curriculum, targeted at sixth through eighth graders.

For more information about the I Can Problem Solve evaluation, please contact Connie Hassett-Walker at 973-972-1719, or at hassetco@umdnj.edu.