"It's wonderful-I can't rave about it too much," says Al Lachut, a mental health specialist with the El Dorado Public Schools, in southern Arkansas. Lachut is talking about, a multimedia software program from Ripple Effects. Lachut has been using the program on his computer, in his office and waiting room, since the Spring of 2000.

Ripple Effects for Teens is a research-based tool to change behavior and build the social skills connected to healthy development, academic achievement, and life success. It covers hundreds of issues that teens face every day. Lachut has students work on Relate while waiting to see him, and he points them to particular topics in the program after finding out what is concerning them.

"I work with students one-on-one," explains Lachut. "If they're dealing with particular issues, I introduce them to Relate, and let them use it. If I have six kids hanging out waiting to see me, I put them on it. Every single time they get caught up in it." What impresses Lachut is the comfort level kids have dealing with these issues on the computer. "They're not afraid to talk to the computer. If they're dealing with difficult issues, they'll get on Relate." The program prompts discussion about serious topics, and provides a way for friends to problem solve and explore these issues together. "Every night there would be two or three teenagers gathered around the computer, talking to each other about these difficult to talk about issues."Lachut recalls the experience of one student that he feels best sums up how effective this program is. "There was a teenage girl from the high school that came to see me at the start of the year. She was having problems with cliques and being accepted by her peers. She was 'sticking to the moral high ground' - she had principles she felt were important to hold to. But her peer group was going in a different direction. She was torn. She didn't want to lose her peer group, and she didn't want to give in on these issues. She came in, she was very upset, and I pointed her in several directions on the Relate program. "She came in five or six times to work with Relate, and spent an hour or two each time," Lachut continues. "It really helped her- it helped her figure out how she could communicate with her friends. She'd take notes and talk with me. Half way through the year, she started turning it around. Her peers started coming around to her direction, and she was really proud of herself. By working through Relate and talking with me, she ended up increasing her self-esteem, she felt good that she had hung in there, and gained respect from her friends. You could see it in her face as she walked down the hall."

Lachut is "absolutely sold on Relate. This product has the potential to change lives." He thinks everyone in the district should be using it, and has shared it with other district staff. They are looking at ways to expand its use in the coming year.