PLAY: Preferred Leisure Alternatives for Youth

Preferred Leisure Alternatives for Youth (PLAY) is a program designed to increase youth participation in healthy pro-social behaviors during out-of-school time by providing opportunities for participation in reinforcing alternative activities. The program was developed by Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson and the Community Youth Development and Prevention Research Team, affiliated with the Work Group for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas.

The research team partners with community-based organizations to provide semi-structured activities identified by youth to be preferred positive alternatives for engagement during out-of-school time. The Assessment of Preferred Leisure Alternatives for Youth (A-PLAY) is a web-based survey application that identifies youth preferences and reinforcement for participation in the positive alternative activities offered through the program.

For more information regarding how to partner with the Community Youth Development and Prevention Research Team to participate in the PLAY program, please contact Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson.