Rock In Prevention | Rock In Prevention Says Thank You

Inclusion-Focused Rock Latino Program Launched

For the past 27 years, Rock In Prevention has combined music, the arts, and an evidence-based curriculum in educating children in the skills and methods to prevent bullying and the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances. In October, 2016, Rock In Prevention founder Pat McManus, a certified substance abuse counselor and recording artist, announced the launch of a new “Rock Latino” educational program.

Mr. McManus is well known as a musician and launched training for the Spanish-language program along with fellow recording artists Margaux Hovda and Marcelo Arevalo. The training was held at the Austin Convention Center as part of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Annual Conference.

Speaking of the impetus for the Rock Latino effort, Mr. McManus described a need for education on pressing social issues in a way that breaks through cultural and language barriers with core messages of personal responsibility and inclusion. He went on to note that, in order to thrive, children require a safe and supportive environment that extends to the home, school, and neighborhood.

Rock In Prevention's Rock LIVE Workshops

Rock In Prevention was established in 1990 by National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Pat McManus and television executive Ray Johnson. To date, Rock In Prevention (Rock) has used music and peer mentors to help more than 1.5 million children and adults with an array of personal and social issues. The organization maintains a number of programs, including Rock LIVE.

Through the Rock LIVE program, trained mentors provide in school workshop services to both teachers and students. Common topics addressed at these workshops include bully prevention and character building, as well as the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

The live workshops represent just the first step in the program, as teachers and parents are provided with a wealth of follow-up information and activities to further engage students and reinforce important lessons. Most notably, teachers receive insight into using music as a shared platform for discussion. Similarly, families can use Rock CDs as a launching point for discussions on everything from anger management to unhealthy media influence on children.