What is The LEO Program?
The LEO Program is a state-approved interactive resilience building program for youth ages 14-20 in Wood County, WI and for 12 - 19 year olds in Adams County. LEO stands for Learn & EmpowerOneself. The mission of The LEO Program is to empower youth to understand their unique brains and quickly improve resilience, adaptability, and fearlessness in a rapidly changing world.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back during challenging circumstances. Resilience helps individuals recover from setbacks, adapt well to change and keep going in the face of adversity.
In 8 hours of interactive curriculum, LEO explores how the human brain works and why our brain is not prepared for the challenges of today’s world. Our lower brain, also known as the survival brain, dominates our day to day life.
Who can participate in The LEO Program?
In Wood County, to be eligible for the LEO program, a youth participant needs to be:
- Age 12—20
- Residing in Wood County or attending school in Wood County
- Not diagnosed with a substance use disorder by a qualified professional
In Adams County, to be eligible for the LEO program, a youth needs to be:
- Age 12 - 19
- Residing in Adams County or attending school in Adams County
- Not diagnosed with a substance use disorder by a qualified professional
Who operates The LEO Program?
CW Solutions is contracted to operate the LEO program in Wood County by Wood County Human Services. CW Solutions is contracted to operate the LEO program in Adams County by Adams County Health & Human Services. LEO is provided in area schools and community agencies. LEO is funded by the Brighter Futures Initiative through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. The program curriculum is adapted from the Life Ecology Organization, founded by Dr. Niraj Nijhawan. LEO began operating in Wood County in January 2019 and will begin services in Adams County in 2021.
How do we evaluate The LEO Program?
Data is for the 2019 reporting year. LEO is required to collect specific data for reporting for funding. Participants complete a pre, post, and annual survey. Survey questions address basic demographic information, mental health, quality of life, social media use, and substance use. All data is kept confidential.
Exploration & Mentorship
Youth participants can volunteer to have one-on-one or small group LEO Exploration & Mentorship (LEM) meetings with the program coordinator, outside of the program sessions. The purpose of LEM activity is to provide support to participants on the application of LEO strategies. Participants are eligible for LEM until they are no longer eligible for program participation.
Participant Testimonials
“I love LEO the tools I learned in LEO! They are so helpful in times of stress or when I'm freaking out. Before LEO, I used to freak out and stress all the time about almost everything. Now, I know how to change my thought process when I am freaking out or stressing out, to see if I should really be worried about what I was worrying about.” – Sarah K., LEO Participant
“I was connected to The LEO Program as it was getting started and knew when I had learned of its focus on building resiliency in youth that it was something special. This past fall the entire LHS volleyball program participated in LEO. It set a tone for the entire season that was unlike any other... a common understanding of struggles in each other’s lives and a common understanding of ways to continue to push through those struggles. LEO empowered our players to really see themselves for what they are capable of handling and then also know they not only had tools to pull from in times of need but a great LEO team to resource if necessary. Thank you!” – Valerie Tonn, Lincoln High School Volleyball Coach
“I really enjoyed every session of The LEO Program and it helped me when I was feeling stress. My favorite tool that we learned is Meditation because there are so many ways to meditate. My way is mediating on God's word.” – Caleb K., LEO Participant
Data Usage
Participants will complete a survey at the start to the program, at the end program and annually. These surveys provide data to LEO staff and Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families about the short-term and long-term effectiveness of The LEO Program. Participant data is confidential and securely stored. The LEO Coordinators do not have access to the individual survey results and will never know a participant’s answers. Please click below review the Notice of Data Usage for full information on how data is collected, protected, and used for the program, as well as copies of The LEO Program pre, post, and annual surveys administered to youth.
LEO_Program_Notice_of_Data_Usage.pdf
2022 LEO Middle School Pre-Program Survey
2022 LEO Middle School Post-Program Survey
Contact Us
To find The LEO Program near you or to bring The LEO Program to your school/ community, please contact through any of the following means:
