Teen Night Out - Frequently Asked Questions

Q How much does TNO cost families/students?
Nothing, the program is provided free-of charge to students and families.

Q What are some ways that families can help with the TNO program?
Families help by offering to help cook the meal, clean-up, bring treats, give rides, make materials, find speakers, write grants or letters of support. A few families make donations.

Q Is it necessary to serve a meal at the program?
TNO program can be run without a meal but in our experience this does not work. The meal or at least a snack is important! Some families without means only permit a son or daughter to attend in the beginning when a free meal is offered. Other families are tired at the end of the day. By the time they get home and fix a meal they are not going out for anything else. If a meal is offered, they can just make it an after work event. In an after school program the kids are hungry and if a meal or at least a snack is not served you lose their attention.

Q Is it necessary to have mentors? Couldn’t we do this with teacher’s and para-educators?
People who have implemented a TNO with and without mentors would always choose to have mentors whenever possible. Mentors make activities fun and help young people with disabilities experience a sense of belonging in their communities. They model behaviors that teachers cannot always duplicate and they are a draw for many families. Mentors are also a huge draw for the students as well and some nice friendships have been formed.

Q Can we hold a TNO program at the high school?
We recommend that the program be held elsewhere. Although a school-based program can work, after a full day, students are looking to get away from school. They prefer an informal setting that is accessible and can serve as a teen hangout. This can be located in a church, a community center or even a head start building. Look around your community. See what is safe, available, affordable and attractive to teens and parents.

Q Who is liable is someone is injured?
Most schools are already providing community-based training. Talk with an administrator and make certain the program is covered under existing policies. If you decide to run a community based program, talk to the host of the center where activities will take place and see if they have general coverage. If necessary, consider having families sign a release form.

Q Do parents need to accompany a youth to the TNO program?
Some youth can manage within the activity on their own. Others need the supervision of a parent or caregiver. It is the responsibility of the program coordinator to visit with each family about the student’s need for supervision and to agree on a plan prior to participation.

Q How do you get people to come to the TNO program?
We make each evening as FUN as possible. We plan the event for a time and day that works best for MOST families. We serve food. We keep the time short (1.5 hours) to hold attention, we rely on word of mouth and start small.

Q How do you handle behavior problems?
We welcome students and make certain they get the support they need to be successful. This may include visiting with a student or parent together, putting together a behavioral contract or limiting a student from coming unless appropriate hygiene or social behaviors are demonstrated. We work with the IEP team as needed to help students learn good behavior.

Q What is the biggest challenge to running a TNO program?
Flexibility is the biggest requirement for running a smooth TNO program. You may begin with one kind of program in mind but the program will grow in a way that meets the true needs of students and families. Too much control and people stop coming. Too little control and the program is chaotic.