The Winchendon ProjectOverview and Update : The Winchendon ProjectOverview and Update Presented to
The Winchendon School Committee
February 25, 2010
by
Susan Buchholz - Project Coordinator
David S. Robinson, EdD
Gail Casavant, Learning Supports Facilitator
Steve Meyers, MMHS Assistant Principal
Presentation Overview : Presentation Overview Project Background
Program Components
Survey Data
Preliminary Results
Next Steps
Questions/Discussion
About The Winchendon Project : About The Winchendon Project Privately funded partnership
Planned in 2007, implemented in 2008 and extended in 2009 & 2010
Project goals:
Deter substance abuse
Enhance mental health
Multi-pronged proactive approach
“Demonstration Project”
Why Winchendon? : Why Winchendon? Progressive leadership
Commitment to innovative programs with proven track records
Stable, supportive community
Limited access to mental health services
Program Based on Research : Program Based on Research Protective and Risk Factors
School-based behavioral health services and academic success
Evidence-based nationally recognized prevention programs
Academic achievement and student adjustment
Perception: Why it matters
2008 Phase I Components : 2008 Phase I Components Coordination of resources and school-based behavioral health services
Assessment of student, staff, and parent needs and perceptions
Components Added in 2009 : Components Added in 2009 Implementation of Substance Abuse Education and Prevention
All Stars
Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA)
Social Norming Campaign
Slide 8 : Change the perception
Change the behavior DRAFT
Student Survey : Student Survey Based on standard surveys:
Youth Risk Behavior Survey - YRBS
Communities That Care - CTC
Multiple baseline surveys in 2008 & 2009
83% student participation
To be re-administered in Spring 2010
Students Results: Protective Factors : Students Results: Protective Factors Middle School
93% report parents notice and tell them when they do a good job
97% can play on sports teams in the community
81% can ask parents for help with personal problems
High School
90% report parents notice and tell them when they do a good job
77% can ask parents for help with personal problems
67% report teachers notice and tell them when they do a good job
Student Results: Risk Factors : Student Results: Risk Factors Middle School
Drug/Alcohol Use
77% say that a kid drinking alcohol in their neighborhood would not get caught by police
47% report that it is easy to get alcohol
High School
Drug/Alcohol Use
92% say that a kid drinking alcohol in their neighborhood would not get caught by police
12% report there is no risk in drinking nearly every day
Student Results: Behavioral Health : Student Results: Behavioral Health MMHS students results are in line with students across the state*
Over 25% report feeling so sad or hopeless during the past year that they stopped doing some usual activities
13% report considering suicide during the past 12 months
8% report attempting suicide in the past 12 months
*http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/hprograms/yrbs/2007YRBS.doc
Slide 13 : Student Results: Alcohol
(30 day by grade)
Slide 14 : Student Results: Alcohol
(30 day binge)
Slide 15 : Student Perception of Alcohol Use Students in Winchendon, like their counterparts across the nation overestimate the number of their peers who drink alcohol.
Adult Survey : Adult Survey Multiple baseline parent and staff surveys to assess:
Areas needing more support
Perception
Results indicate that adults overestimate:
% of students using alcohol
Parents’ behaviors related to student alcohol use
Adult Perception of Alcohol Use : Adult Perception of Alcohol Use Our School Staff and Parent Surveys show that adults think more students are using alcohol than is true.
Parents Perception of MMHS Parents Who Purchase Alcohol for Their Underage Children : Parents Perception of MMHS Parents Who Purchase Alcohol for Their Underage Children
Parents Perception of Underage Drinking at MMHS : Parents Perception of Underage Drinking at MMHS
Preliminary Results : Preliminary Results Staff report that they feel more supported in their effort to educate students
School administrators report that the Project is contributing to a more positive school climate
Reduced discipline actions and failure rates
Multiple efforts at MMHS contribute to these
positive outcomes
Academic Year Comparisons 07/08 and 08/09 : Academic Year Comparisons 07/08 and 08/09 Discipline: First 90 Days of School
- 50% decrease in Reported Incidents
- 29% decrease in Administrative Actions
- 57% decrease in Out-of-School Suspensions
Failure Rates: 1st and 2nd Quarter
- Q1 31% decrease
- Q2 21% decrease
Next Steps : Next Steps Monitor & Evaluate
Build on Success
Slide 23 : Children learn best when they are emotionally, socially and physically healthy
Issues of mental health and substance use are not unique to Winchendon
Winchendon is leading the way in demonstrating that parents, schools and the community can work together to help students be healthy and academically successful