Children on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations will be helped in making healthy decisions based on traditional Lakota values thanks to a $330,284 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Catholic Social Services (CSS), a nonprofit group serving people of all faiths in western South Dakota, will adminster the grant for the new Lakota Circles of Hope prevention curriculum. The matching portion of the grant will be provided by The Bush Foundation.

"Our committee's goal in the curriculum was to help our Lakota children understand that their traditions and culture are just as relevant and important today as they have been in the past," said Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, a member of the committee.

The curriculum for students in grades 2 to 5 emphasizes Lakota traditions and values including respect, generosity, fortitude, wisdom and bravery while offering students knowledge and resources as they learn to make safe choices and to resist peer pressure, alcohol and other drugs, and interpersonal violence.

CSS Executive Director, Jim Kinyon said, from its inception, the Lakota Circles of Hope curriculum was developed as a collaborative project drawing on local leadership of Lakota elders, educational professionals and experienced CSS staff. The curriculum development committee was selected because of their knowledge and experience in Lakota culture, curriculum development and program evaluation.

"From the onset, our vision has been guided by these communities for answers about the best way to serve Lakota youth," he said. "Most prevention curriculums target middle and high school-age audiences, but research has shown that many youth in this older age group have already more experimented with or adopted high-risk behaviors. The Lakota Circles of Hope program sets a precedent by focusing on elementary students."

Kinyon said the goal of the program is to teach children values and healthy decision-making skills before they engage in risky behavior and to connect them with a healthy support system.

Shawnie Rechtenbaugh, South Dakota State Prevention Coordinator, said research shows that, if a person is educated and grounded in his or her culture, those cultural beliefs are important in the prevention of substance-abuse issues. The Lakota Circles curriculum emphasizes Lakota traditions and values while offering students the knowledge and resources to avoid substance abuse, violence, suicide and promiscuity.

John Usera, CEO of the Institute for Educational Leadership and Evaluation, will continually evaluate the program.

"We look forward to measuring the effectiveness of the Lakota Circles of Hope project in helping children make healthy choices using Lakota values," he said.

The Lakota Circles of Hope coordinators will establish local advisory committees and have already partnered with many schools and community organizations from the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations.

CSS Prevention Coordinator Marcie Pudwill said the school administration and local groups have been receptive to the new program, and the kids have been very responsive in the classroom.