2 Cool 4 Meltdown

Community safety

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In South LA, youth aged 10–17 are involved in nearly 30% of violent crimes, with elementary and middle school students increasingly exhibiting aggressive behaviors. LAUSD suspends up to 15% of students annually for aggressive behavior, with anger issues a key factor. According to studies conducted by the University of Southern California and LA County, youth struggling with anger are three times more likely to engage in violence, including fights and gang activity. Early intervention, especially in elementary school, is urgent and imperative. Without learning to manage emotions, children often struggle to build critical life skills, leading to long-term barriers in education, relationships, and employment. Juvenile recidivism rates reach 50% for youth lacking emotional regulation, and over 40% report anger linked to anxiety and depression. Addressing youth anger is not just prevention; it’s about healing, stability, and preparing youth to contribute meaningfully to society.

2 Cool 4 Meltdown is AADAP’s family-centered violence prevention program targeting at-risk and high-risk youth ages 8–15 in South Los Angeles. The program addresses the urgent correlation between emotional dysregulation and youth violence through a 12-month, evidence-based approach that includes:
a) Parent/Youth Orientation to align expectations and build rapport;
b) Comprehensive Case Management that tailors support plans to each youth and family;
c) Youth Support Services such as mentoring, tutoring, and group counseling;
d) Parent/Family Support Services to ensure caregivers have the tools to reinforce progress at home;
e) Pro-social Activities to channel energy into positive peer interactions;
f) Parent Support Workshops that promote responsible parenting and open communication; and
g) Aggression Replacement Training (ART), which combines Social Skills Training (behavioral), Anger Control Training (affective), and Moral Reasoning (cognitive).
What makes this program unique is its holistic structure: it doesn’t single out the youth, but addresses anger as a family issue. Parents and guardians are engaged through orientation, family-centered case management, and four strength-based workshops focusing on communication, structure, and school collaboration. Families are empowered to become agents of change—building resilience and restoring safety in homes, schools, and communities.

Over the one-year grant period, AADAP will provide targeted anger management services to at-risk youth ages 8–15 and their families in South Los Angeles, reducing violent behavior and recidivism. In the short term, we aim to equip approximately 40 youth with tools for emotional regulation, improve family communication, and reduce school suspensions related to aggression. Long term, our goal is to expand “2 Cool 4 Meltdown” across Los Angeles County, partnering with schools and community centers to serve thousands of youth and families. By addressing the root causes of youth violence—anger, trauma, and broken family systems—we envision a safer, more resilient LA where emotional well-being and family strength are key to public safety.