Behavior Lab | Philly Be Safe Youth Program

Program Overview 

The Behavior Lab is a structured, school-based behavioral support program developed by Philly Be Safe (PBS). The program helps students build emotional regulation, accountability, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills through guided lessons, real-world scenarios, and restorative practices.

The Behavior Lab is designed to align with school climate goals and can be implemented during the school day, after school, or as part of a targeted intervention block in collaboration with school administrators.

What Students Learn in the Behavior Lab

The Behavior Lab focuses on practical life skills students can use immediately — in school, at home, and in their community.

Real-life decision-making and accountability

• How to manage emotions in everyday situations

• Conflict resolution through guided conversations

• Communication and respect in peer interactions

• Leadership, responsibility, and self-awareness

• Problem-solving using real-world scenarios

                           Additional Services

        This service supports schools and youth organizations across Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.

Philly Be Safe offers additional programming options that can be integrated into the Behavior Lab or delivered as standalone services for schools and youth organizations.

CPR & First Aid Training (Add-On Service)

This service adds an additional layer of safety, preparedness, and real-world readiness for students and school communities. 

Philly Be Safe provides CPR and First Aid certification training for students, staff, and community members. Participants learn life-saving skills including emergency response, CPR techniques, and basic first aid in a hands-on, practical setting.

This training can be scheduled alongside the Behavior Lab program or offered separately based on school or organizational needs.

Grade Levels Served  

The Behavior Lab serves students across multiple developmental stages to ensure age-appropriate instruction and impact. The program is structured by grade bands to meet students where they are emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

Grade Bands:

• Grades 4–6: Foundational emotional awareness, impulse control, and peer interaction

• Grades 7–9: Accountability, conflict resolution, decision-making, and identity development

• Grades 10–12: Leadership, self-regulation, restorative practices, and real-world preparation

Each grade band follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with school climate goals.

Program Structure 

The Behavior Lab is delivered through a tiered, session-based structure that allows schools to integrate the program seamlessly into existing schedules.

The program may be implemented:

• During the school day

• As an after-school program

• As part of a targeted intervention or support block

Sessions are interactive, guided, and facilitated by trained staff using evidence-informed behavioral strategies and restorative approaches.

Core Focus Areas 

The Behavior Lab focuses on building practical, transferable skills that support both academic success and positive behavior.

Key focus areas include:

• Emotional regulation and self-awareness

• Accountability and personal responsibility

• Conflict resolution and communication skills

• Decision-making and problem-solving

• Restorative practices and peer relationships

Lessons emphasize real-world scenarios and guided discussion to help students apply skills beyond the classroom.

Alignment with Schools 

The Behavior Lab is designed to support school-wide initiatives and complement existing behavioral frameworks.

The program aligns with:

• Positive school climate goals

• Social-emotional learning (SEL) objectives

• Restorative justice practices

• Attendance, behavior, and engagement initiatives

Implementation is flexible and developed in collaboration with school administrators to ensure alignment with each school’s needs.

Program Duration & Flexibility

The Behavior Lab may be offered as a short-term or extended program depending on school goals.

Common formats include:

• 6–8 week program cycles

• Ongoing weekly or bi-weekly sessions

• Targeted support for identified student groups

Program length and scheduling are customizable based on student needs and available school resources.

About Philly Be Safe 

The Behavior Lab is a program of Philly Be Safe (PBS), a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening school culture and supporting youth development.

Philly Be Safe partners with schools and community stakeholders to deliver structured, mission-driven programs that promote safety, accountability, and positive outcomes for students.