The Survival Skills programs were developed in response to the overwhelming multiplicity of needs evidenced by various at-risk populations and because of the lack of community-based, research-based programs built on sound behavioral principles and methodology.

Major hallmarks of the Survival Skills curriculum include:

• a participant-centered philosophy and approach;
• a powerful learning process based on participatory, behavioral principles;
• replication across a wide range of target groups, program sites, and sponsoring organizations;
• a strong research base; and
• a built-in evaluation system.

Dr. Linda Thurston, with a Ph.D. in developmental and child psychology, and her research team founded and developed Survival Skills for Women (SSW) in the late 1970s as the result of working with an inner-city housing project. Dr. Thurston and her colleagues created a curriculum that provided women with the critical tools and information to manage the problems and challenges in their lives.

The program, which underwent three and a half years of development and testing, was designed to provide a supportive learning environment where participants could develop basic life skills while improving their self-esteem. “The intent in developing SSW was to not only have the women acquire new skills, but also confidence and support, so they could take charge of their lives, decrease their dependencies, reduce their sense of isolation, and feel better about themselves and their future.”

Survival Skills for Men (SSM) was developed in 1993 and is being used to empower men to effectively manage their family and employment responsibilities.

Survival Skills for Youth (SSY) was introduced in 1994. SSY targets at-risk youth and promotes confidence, competence, and motivation needed for success.

The core programs have a proven track record: SSW has positively impacted lives for 18 years; SSM, 13 years; and SSY, 12 years.

Workplace Survival Skills (WSS) was added in 2005. Many users of the core programs asked for a specific curriculum that addressed employer expectations and employee behaviors following the user-friendly and participant-empowerment tradition for which SSED is esteemed. WSS is similar to the core curriculums in methodology and design, yet offers greater flexibility.

Survival Skills programs are used in 39 states and Canada by a diverse range of consumers:
Adult and Basic Education Centers, Alternative Schools, Career Centers, Churches, Community Centers, Community Colleges, Correctional Facilities, County Extension Services, Court Services, Department of Human Services, Displaced Homemaker Programs, Domestic Violence Shelters, Drug Abuse Prevention Centers, Economic Development Initiatives, Employment Services, Family Service Centers, Fatherhood Initiatives, Goodwill Industries, Food Distribution Centers Foster Care-Transition Programs, Parenting Initiatives, Head Start, Health Departments, Housing Authorities, Literacy Programs, Even Start, Pre-Release Programs, Salvation Army, School Districts, Technical Institutes, Training Centers, Universities, Urban League, Women’s Centers, World Relief, and YWCA.

In the fall of 2005, Debbie Mitchell became the new owner and CEO of SSED. Having been one of Dr. Thurston’s core national trainers for 15 years, Debbie Mitchell is committed to maintaining the integrity and quality of the Survival Skills model. In addition, she is dedicated to expanding the array of programs in response to identified needs of disenfranchised individuals; and improving technology, communications, and service delivery to our customers.