The Law-Related Education Academy is sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education with funding made possible by the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program.
From Risk to Resilience: Preventing Gang Involvement Academy
(Middle/High School)
Participant Agenda
Objectives: As a result of this training, participants will…
- Understand the risk of gang activity
- Understand the legal consequences of the actions of being part of a gang
- Understand the relationship between gangs and social media
March 26, 2025
8:30-9:00 AM Check-In
Participants will sign-in and enjoy a continental breakfast.
9:00 AM Welcome, Introductions, & Housekeeping
Introduction of academy faculty and staff. Overview of academy objectives and housekeeping.
Facilitators: Bobby Zavala and Ashley Cagnetta
Academy Expectations
Participants will discuss expectations for the academy.
Icebreaker
Participants will get to know their peers.
Lesson 1 What are Gangs?
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that teaches youth about gangs and the social and legal consequences of gang activity.
Lesson 2 Why Gangs?
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that teaches youth why people may join gangs and alternative solutions to meet needs instead of joining gangs.
What Do You Think? Poll Question
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the interactive poll question tool on LawForKids.org
Lunch
Lesson 3 Social Media and Gangs
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that explains how gangs use social media to recruit and how to recognize gang related posts.
Lesson 4 Gang Trends
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that teaches youth about hybrid gangs and the warning signs of gang involvement.
Lesson 5 Resisting Gangs
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that discusses the pressures that may lead to gang involvement and strategies to resist peer pressure.
Lesson 6 Breaking the Cycle
Participants will engage in a lesson demonstration that discusses how gang involvement can negatively affect youth's values and life outcomes.
Wrap Up
Participants will review the training expectations and submit evaluations.
5:00 PM Adjourn
This academy is approved by the Arizona Department of Education and meets the requirements of the School Safety Program.
Faculty
Ashley Cagnetta
Instruction Specialist
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
Robert Zavala
School Safety Program Specialist
Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program