Step-Up Program

What we do

Step-Up is a nationally recognized youth family violence intervention program in King County.
It helps youth and parents or guardians learn together with other families how to have a home
without violence where everyone feels safe and respected.

Youth and parents learn skills for respectful relationships and solving family problems in peaceful ways.
Youth learn how to handle difficult emotions without hurting others. We offer:

• Skills-based and restorative practice groups where parents and teens learn and practice skills for
  respectful communication, emotional regulation, and problem solving without violence
• Safety planning
• Community education about adolescent domestic violence with family members

Who can use the program

• Families who would like to participate can contact us directly

We also accept referrals from:

• Community agencies, counselors, schools or other helping professionals
• Juvenile Court staff or programs, including Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS),
  probation counselors, judges, At-Risk-Youth program, Family Court, attorneys, and other programs
  serving youth
• Police officers responding to calls for help when a youth is violent in the home.

Step-Up believes that respect is the heart of all healthy family relationships.

Step-Up's goal is to stop youth violence toward family members and move from abuse to respect.
The program teaches how to resolve conflict and handle parent–teen problems without abuse or
violence. Parents or caregivers and youth learn together in a group setting with other families.

Violent behavior includes:

• Threats, intimidation, property destruction, degrading language, physical violence

Families learn these skills in Step-Up:

• Non-threatening behavior
• Being trustworthy
• Communicating respectfully
• Problem solving
• Being accountable to the family
• Choosing to stay non-violent