COMMUNITY-BASED RISK PREVENTION WITH URBAN YOUTH

Examples of three major approaches to community-based prevention progr amming with urban young people based on ongoing prevention research at the Institute for Community Research (ICR) are provided and reviewed. The psychological model is based on psychological principles addressi ng change at the individual level. The ecological model emphasizes the importance of simultaneous interventions at multiple levels. The soci al action or action research model targets structural changes in polic y and social context as the route to influencing broad-based changes i n individual behaviors. Such models offer opportunities for school psy chologists to experience the interface of theory, practice, and resear ch in out-of-school settings. Descriptions of the models address actua l or potential contributions of school psychologists. To work effectiv ely in community-based prevention, school psychologists should have ex pertise in ecological approaches to intervention, anthropological rese arch methods such as ethnography, consultation that promotes longterm involvement, and advocacy.