Related Research Project Demonstrates AHA!’s Effectiveness

In 2014, AHA! won recognition for its work through the Susan Crown Exchange, a national organization conducting research in social-emotional learning. AHA! was chosen out of 250 applicants, along with 7 other nationwide agencies,  to receive a year-long research grant to study our effectiveness in imparting social and emotional learning skills.

The AHA! study focused on relationship skills building for young women in the context of our original AHA! curriculum. After a year and a half of data collection and analysis, AHA!’s work scored high on all variables measured by the study: EMPATHY, RESPONSIBILITY, TEAMWORK, PROBLEM SOLVING, EMOTION MANAGEMENT, and INITIATIVE.

On January 25th, 2016, AHA! joined the 7 other organizations involved in the initiative to launch a book that continues to be available for free as a download: Preparing Youth to Thrive: Promising Practices in Social and Emotional Learning.

This youth guide sheds light on how afters-chool programs can equip teens with valuable social and emotional skills ⎯ skills statistically linked to success in school, the workforce, and overall well-being.

Contact Dr. Jennifer Freed or Melissa Lowenstein for more information.