Parent/Guardian Resource Guide

ECHO (Every Choice Has Opportunity) is a cognitive behavioral intervention ​​designed to ​​​​​​help​​​​ young people ages 13-21 develop skills to make thoughtful decisions in challenging situations, manage emotions effectively, build healthy relationships, stay safe from violence, engage positively in school and community.

The program was developed by the University of Chicago Crime and Education Labs in partnership with twelve community-based organizations and a Youth Advisory Council of young people. Click here to learn more about our design team.

ECHO teaches 20 core life skills through interactive group sessions or one-on-one conversations. These skills help young people understand and express their emotions, practice mindfulness and self-regulation, resolve conflicts peacefully, think through consequences before acting, build supportive relationships, and set and achieve personal goals. 

ECHO can be delivered in three different ways, depending on your young person’s program:

• Closed Group Sessions – Weekly meetings with the same group of 6-10 young people over 12-20 weeks. This format builds strong relationships and allows for deep skill development.
• Drop-In Sessions – Open sessions that young people can attend as needed. Each session focuses on a specific skill and doesn’t require previous attendance.
• Quick Connects – Brief 5-minute skill-building conversations that happen naturally during other program activities or meetings.

ECHO uses cognitive behavioral techniques similar to therapy, but it’s designed as a skill-building program. Facilitators may or may not be licensed clinicians. 

Facilitators may include licensed counselors or therapists, youth outreach workers, case managers, or other trained program staff. 

C​​​​onsistent attendance​ is encouraged​, but occasional absences are okay. For drop-in models, your young person can join whenever they’re able. 

ECHO is designed for young people to have their own space for growth. However, some programs may offer separate parent sessions or family events. 

Facilitators may contact you to provide general program updates, share positive progress, collaborate on supporting your young person, or fulfill mandated reporting requirements (if safety concerns arise). Facilitators ​​​​​​are not encouraged to ​​​share confidential information without your young person’s consent, criticize your parenting style, make decisions for your family, or share their personal religious or cultural beliefs. 

This depends on the delivery model. Closed groups​ are designed to​ run 12-20 weeks. Drop-in sessions and quick connects are more flexible and ongoing. 

Facilitators ​are expected to ​work to create safe spaces, and establish “group commitments” that include treating everyone with respect, maintaining confidentiality, being honest, open, and transparent, speaking from personal experience, and staying present and engaged. ​​ECHO encourages facilitators and participants to keep information shared during ECHO sessions​​​​ confidential, except when they plan to harm themselves or someone else, there are signs of abuse or neglect​ (facilitators are often mandated reporters), or your young person gives permission to share information. 

• Ask Open-Ended Questions – “What did you talk about today?”, “Did you learn anything interesting?”, “How are you feeling about the program?”
• Practice Skills Together - Try techniques like box breathing (breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4) when stress arises at home.
• Reinforce Progress - Notice and celebrate when your young person uses their new skills. Even small steps matter.
• Be Patient - Personal growth takes time. There may be setbacks along the way—this is normal and part of the process.

Facilitators help young people prepare for ending the program by reinforcing progress, discussing how to use skills moving forward, and providing appropriate closure. 

If your young person needs additional support beyond ECHO, ask your facilitator about mental health counseling referrals, educational resources, community support services, or crisis intervention services. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) - An approach that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors 
• Trauma-Informed Care – A way of working with young people that recognizes past difficult experiences and avoids re-traumatizing 
• Mandated Reporter – Someone legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect