What is The LEO Program?

The LEO Program is an interactive resilience-building program serving youth ages 12-20 in Wood County. LEO seeks to empower youth to understand their unique brains and quickly improve resilience, adaptability, and healthy fearlessness in a rapidly changing world. By promoting higher-brain activation and resiliency through key tools, youth can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve memory, creativity, self-awareness, and overall quality of life - each of which are key factors in preventing substance use.

Who can participate in the LEO Program?

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

Who operates The LEO Program?

The LEO Program operates as a partnership between CW Solutions and Wood County 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. Program curriculum is adapted from the Life Ecology Organization, founded by Dr. Niraj Nijhawan. LEO began operating in Wood County in January 2019.

Participant Testimonials

“I love the tools I learned in LEO! They are so helpful in times of stress or when I'm panicking. 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

Program Contacts

To find The LEO Program near you or to bring The LEO Program to your school/community, please contact: leoprogram@changewithin.net