Programs
Every Brighter Days program is built around one belief: every child deserves a safe place and a safe person to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Brighter Days empowers children to develop healthy coping skills, break harmful family cycles, and create opportunities for a promising future.
Whether we’re running support groups in a Dallas shelter, training counselors across the country, or organizing a coalition of teens and parents, the work is always the same: meet children and youth where they are and walk alongside them as they build the skills to thrive.
The Heart of Who We Are
The Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program
The heart of who we are and the foundation of all we do.
Brighter Days developed the evidence-based, internationally used CBSG® Program to make a positive impact on the lives of children and youth in Dallas and to expand that impact worldwide. Through our training services, the program has also reached hundreds of thousands of children and youth throughout the United States and around the world.
The CBSG® Program is built on resiliency and protective factor research and is tailored for small groups of K-12th-grade students, providing a supportive and focused environment to develop essential life skills with a trained facilitator. Through 10 or 12 session cycles, participants gain practical tools and insights that support their personal growth and long-term success. Participants develop skills that support and improve: Self Awareness, Social Competence, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, and Sense of Purpose and Future. These five key skills are reinforced with the five major messages I AM, I CAN, I HAVE, I WILL, and I BELIEVE, which are shared aloud as an engaging closing ritual at the end of each and every group.
Meeting children and youth where they are
Community Connection
Community Connection serves children and youth, Grades K-12, in schools, community centers, recreation centers, and juvenile justice sites throughout the Dallas area. Through partnerships with more than 70 different sites, our trained and caring staff tailor our services to meet the needs of both the youth we serve and our partners.
Our Array of Services include:
The CBSG Program
A selective small-group program where school counselors identify students to participate in the program. Groups are provided weekly in the fall and spring semesters in schools and community centers, and during the summer at camps. Sessions strengthen students’ self-concept, coping strategies, relationships, and decision-making skills.
Classroom-Based Education
A universal prevention program designed for entire classrooms that help students improve their communication skills, peer relationships, and self- confidence. Trained staff implement the program using the Positive Action curriculum.
Strengthening Families Program
An elective family-based program designed for parents and youth, in 2nd – 12th grades. Families attend sessions together, fostering connection and shared learning. Each session is led by trained facilitators and includes a family dinner, engaging activities and educational lessons to promote family bonding and improve communication.
Tobacco and Vaping Prevention Presentations
Using the latest research and knowledge of recent trends, program staff implement creative, engaging, and educational presentations to promote a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.
Positive Behavioral Health and Mental Health Promotion Activities
Talented staff team members facilitate positive childhood experiences, promote healthy behaviors, and encourage healthy coping strategies through interactive activities, presentations, assemblies, and community fairs.
Meeting the holistic needs of children experiencing homelessness
Family Connection
Family Connection serves children, ages 4-12, experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties. Through partnerships with more than 30 schools, shelters, domestic violence agencies, and transitional living centers, Brighter Days provides year-round support to meet the unique needs of children and families. Our holistic services include:
Our Array of Services include:
The CBSG Program
A selective, small-group program, facilitated year-round by trained staff, is held weekly at shelters and schools. Support groups offer a safe place for children to talk about their feelings, learn healthy ways to manage stress, and make healthy, responsible decisions.
Day Camps
Providing educational, interactive and meaningful mentored experiences for children, including Spring Break Camp, Kids’ University, Camp Bravo, and Outdoor Adventure Camp.
Family Outings
Special outings and events designed to strengthen family relationships and help meet tangible family needs.
Mentored Events
Special mentored experiences for children where they can practice their life skills in a child-friendly setting outside of the shelter and form positive connections with a caring adult.
Project Hope Food Program
Providing shelf-stable food and basic necessities to help address food insecurity for families residing in motels.
A community coalition of teens, parents, and leaders building prevention from the ground up.
Dallas Drug Free Youth Alliance
Dallas Drug Free Youth Alliance brings together teens, parents, educators, and community leaders each month to co-create strategies that keep Dallas youth safe, healthy, and drug-free. We listen first, then build alongside youth, families, local leadership, and stakeholders. Everyone who brings passion, perspective, and a desire to make a difference has a place at the table. The Alliance welcomes teens, parents, educators, faith leaders, healthcare workers, prevention professionals, and community partners. Monthly meetings are open to all and free to attend.
- Teens & Parents
- Educators
- Faith Leaders
- Healthcare Workers
- Prevention Professionals
- Community Partners
Training & Curriculum
Equipping youth-serving professionals to create brighter futures.
Through the CBSG® Program Facilitator Training, professional workshops, sharing best practices and selling our evidence-based curricula, we are expanding our impact and helping strengthen communities - one child at a time.
$350
Training Required
CBSG® Facilitator Training
Required to implement the selective small-group CBSG® Program.
- 4-hour live virtual training
- Facilitator Manual of your choice
- Offered throughout the year and on contract
$299
No Training Required
Classroom Connection
The universal CBSG® adaptation designed for broader classroom implementation.
- Free introductory webinar
- Classroom Connection Manual
Contracted
Custom Scope
Professional Workshops
Customized workshops on youth development, prevention, resiliency, social-emotional learning, and behavioral health – designed to meet the unique needs of your staff and organization.
Take Action
Three ways to bring Brighter Days into your work.
01
Impact Your Community
Partner with Brighter Days.
02
Train as a Facilitator
Become a CBSG® Facilitator.
03
Make it Possible
Fund a child’s safe place and safe person.
$250 funds a 10- week CBSG Program for a child. Multiply that across the students in our shelters, schools, and community sites and across the trained facilitators carrying the work into 44+ states and you can see the incredible impact Brighter Days is making.