Youth Interventions

ABOUT

The Metropolitan Peace Initiatives’ Youth Interventions program seeks to support youth through intensive reengagement programming.

Back to Our Future 2.0

Back to Our Future 2.0 (B2OF 2.0), in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, is the first program under the initiative. The overall goal of B2OF 2.0 is to re-engage youth ages 14 to 21 on Chicago’s South and West Sides who have been disconnected from school for three or more months. The program aims to help youth become less prone to violence and violent activity, while reconnecting them to the educational pathways that best suit their needs.

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Critical Aspects of B2OF 2.0 Programming

B2OF 2.0 focuses on creating a city-wide infrastructure that supports a tiered and integrated continuum of services (TICS) aimed at re-engaging youth with the education system and providing comprehensive support to ensure their success. Programming includes:

  • Relentless Engagement and Street Outreach
  • Academic Support
  • Mental Health and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
  • Mentoring 
  • Family Support
  • Soft Skills Training
  • Case Management


Intermediary Contributions:

Metropolitan Peace Initiatives will serve as the Intermediary for Back to Our Future 2.0, providing support and oversight to the following community-based organizations:

FAQs

Learn more about our Youth Interventions.

The Metropolitan Peace Initiatives’ Youth Interventions program seeks to support youth through intensive reengagement programming.

Back to Our Future 2.0 (B2OF 2.0), in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, is the first program under the initiative. The overall goal of B2OF 2.0 is to re-engage youth ages 14 to 21 on Chicago’s South and West Sides who have been disconnected from school for three or more months. The program aims to help youth become less prone to violence and violent activity, while reconnecting them to the educational pathways that best suit their needs.

B2OF 2.0 is for youth aged 14 to 21 years old who have been disengaged from district schools for at least three months. 

The goal of the program is to reduce youth connection to gun violence and help them reconnect to an educational or career pathway that best suits their individual needs.

The program offers a full range of support to help young people reconnect and thrive: relentless engagement and consistent follow-up; soft skills training; mentoring and life coaching; mental health and trauma-informed care; academic credit recovery; community-based supports; support to transition back into CPS district schools, GED programs, workforce or other education pathways.

Currently, B2OF 2.0 priority zip codes are 60621, 60623, 60624, 60644.

There is no cost to participate in the program. However, students must meet eligibility criteria.

Oversight and fidelity of program implementation is provided by Metropolitan Peace Initiatives in collaboration with Chicago Public Schools and selected Community-Based Providers.

Youth ages 14 to 21 can be referred through several pathways: CPS data-driven referrals (through reengagement offices such as SOAR); institutional referrals (juvenile justice system [courts, probation, detention centers, public defenders]); community-driven referrals (community-based organizations like Breakthrough, New Life, Think Outside Da Block, and UCAN); or self or independent referrals using a secure QR code through the REDCap system.

Full programming (from outreach through reconnection) can last up to one year. However, B2OF 2.0 is tailored to provide programming to meet each student’s unique needs.

Yes. Participation is confidential. All information is handled in line with CPS policies and HIPAA standards. Mental health providers will only share information with consent or when legally required (such as in safety situations).

Families can expect positive, youth-centered outcomes such as: re-enrollment or reconnection to CPS, GED, or alternative education; improved safety and well-being; stronger employment opportunities through skill-building and training; and reduced disengagement from school and community systems.

Have more questions? We are here to help you. Please contact MPICommunications@metrofamily.org for more information.