Human Skills FAQ

Committee for Children is embarking on an exciting evolution to advance our mission. Rooted in our commitment to research, effective implementation, and engaging content, we have a new way to describe how we provide students with the essential skills they need to thrive: human skills.  

Why have we moved to “human skills”?  

We feel this new term, “human skills,” better encompasses our mission and the impact Second Step® programs make, empowering students with the skills they need to thrive in a changing world. As we embark on this change, we remain diligent in supporting students and in living up to the trust you have placed in our organization and our programs.  

We are expanding our commitment to students and schools by focusing on strengthening human skills. This framework provides a more comprehensive approach that reflects the full range of skills needed to thrive in school, work, and life. It also better encapsulates our history as a child protection-focused organization, a cornerstone of our work for the past 45 years.  

We’re expanding our focus to include skills for deepened success both in school and past graduation. We can better support the whole learner by developing the vital human skills needed in the world of today and tomorrow. As our partners, we know you may have questions, and we’ve provided some answers below. 

What are human skills? 

Human skills are building blocks students need to achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and form meaningful relationships. These skills are essential for academic achievement, workforce readiness, digital well-being, and conflict management. Second Step programs help kids develop the human skills necessary to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

What are the core human skills? 

Human skills are the essential skills needed to excel in all areas of life. While this includes countless skills, we’ve identified a core set of 10 skills that are directly strengthened by the Second Step family of programs:  

Will Second Step® programs change? 

Our Second Step programs will not undergo feature or content changes at this time, outside of the adoption of this new language. We will continue to address self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making in addition to the core human skills that have always been a part of our programs.  

As always, we have a commitment to continuous improvement, so we’re giving ourselves the flexibility to shape our future offerings around this new human skills framework. This approach allows us to further build and refine our programs, making sure they continue to address the real needs of students and educators. We are also excited about some of these initial offerings, including adding Tier 2 supports to our Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School digital programs.  

We are honored to be your partner in this vital work of helping students succeed, and we’re looking forward to continuing to share these exciting opportunities to further support you and your students. 

What if my district uses a different term?  

We know that districts across the country have different ways to describe this important work. These varied terms come down to a similar set of essential skills students need to thrive. Our team is here to help share the resources, research, and information needed to align your district goals with human skills, regardless of what term or framework your district uses. 

Where can I learn more about strengthening human skills for student success?  

Our recent webinar Strengthening Human Skills for Student Success shares how universal, school-based human skills programs can help districts meet vital student needs and remediate issues—including chronic absenteeism, school safety, and mental health challenges.