Location:
Problem
Addressed: Educational and
Community-Based Programs
Healthy
People 2010 Objective: 7, 26
The Rural Prevention Network provides interventions in
the community, worksites, churches, and schools to combat substance abuse among
children and adolescents and their caregivers in five rural counties in
The five-county region served is one of the most
economically disadvantaged in
THE MODEL
Blueprint:
Members of the Rural Prevention
Network include District Health Department #2,
The five counties served by
DFCSP include Alcona, Iosco, Oscoda, Ogemaw, and
The Rural Prevention Network consists of eight paid
health educators and 12 donated Northeast Abstinence Partnership coalition
members. The network as well as DFCPS are funded by SAMHSA. Additional external
funding includes local matching funds and in-kind funds from community
agencies. Potential supporters are approached through letters of solicitation,
attendance at community coalition meetings, grant applications, press releases,
and informational brochures.
DFCSP is intended as a springboard to capitalize on
existing volunteer manpower. The active involvement of teens, parents,
teachers, etc., combined with positive outcomes, results in publicity and
recognition. This visibility encourages schools and other youth-serving
organizations to adopt the programs as part of their curricula. The mission of
the Network and its governing body is to mobilize and coordinate resources to
enhance health status—not to become long-term service providers of identified
community health problems.
The Rural Prevention Network has implemented many
activities in an effort to reach the goals of DFCSP. Improved communication and
relationships between parents and children are likely to increase parental
involvement in students’ choices regarding substance abuse and other risky
behaviors. At school and community events, DFCSP staff provide parents with
information to facilitate effective communication with children in preventing
and detecting substance abuse. Together, the Network, the Northeast Community
Partnership, and other local substance abuse agencies implemented the “Power of
Parenting” forum to address communication and relationship building between
parents and children.
DFCSP conducts an annual
event offering parents information about substance abuse, tobacco use, and the
consequences of teen sexual activity. Service agencies from the area and guest
speakers provide resource information. To increase participation, a
complimentary dinner and child care are provided.
The Minors in Possession
program also includes parents. This is a joint effort between staff and local
attorney offices that allow students charged with possession of alcohol or
tobacco the option of attending a three-hour program in place of fines and
court costs. Parents are encouraged to attend this session; 48 percent of
parents attended this past year. Evaluation results of this specific program
show a positive improvement in the students’ attitudes toward substance abuse.
DFCSP collaborates and pools
resources with community partners. Together with Northern Michigan Substance
Abuse Services and local law enforcement officials, retailer tobacco compliance
checks are conducted to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.
Collaboration with local tobacco coalitions and the Northeast Michigan Asthma
Coalition led to the development of Freedom from Smoking Clinics in the
community. Along with the Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking and
AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Services, the Leadership for Teens Camp
is offered. This camp provides 20 9th- and 10th-grade
students a three-day summer camp centered around presentations and activities
related to tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use prevention. In conjunction with
schools, DFCSP implements the Not on Tobacco (N-O-T) smoking cessation program
for teens and the Teens against Tobacco Use (TATU) training and prevention
program. Network members partner with local teen organizations like Youth
Exercising Alternative Habits (YEAH) to address substance abuse and tobacco
prevention issues, provide alternative activities, and empower youth to promote
changes in school policy and community norms about substance abuse and tobacco
prevention issues.
DFCSP also coordinates community events related to the
Great American Smokeout, Kick Butts Day, and World No Tobacco Day at worksites,
schools, and faith-based organizations to increase awareness of the dangers of
tobacco and secondhand smoke. The Network has facilitated the implementation of
the School Health Index for Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and Tobacco-free
Lifestyles in schools.
Making a
Difference: DFCSP is
evaluated through several surveys using a multi-method outcome evaluation
technique. One of the surveys—the Community Asset Development for Youth Survey
(CADY)—was administered in 1997 and again in 2004. Other surveys include the
Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey, specific school surveys, the
The Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey
was administered to 8th, 10th, and 12th
graders. Several schools in the target area have participated in the survey
since 1998–1999 and plan to do so in 2004–2005. Other schools conducted
individual surveys and shared relevant data. Results from 1998 and 2001 show
delayed age of onset of use of cigarettes, alcohol, inhalants, and marijuana.
Fewer 8th and 10th grade students reported use of
marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and inhalants. However, more
12th grade students reported such use from 1998–2001. The perception
of risk or harm from cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana increased for 8th
and 10th graders but decreased among 12th grade students.
As a result of the evaluation, the program has expanded its focus toward
marijuana and other illegal drug use prevention education among older high
school students.
The Safe and Drug-Free
Schools Survey was conducted in one school during 1999, 2000, and 2001.
Approximately 500 students were surveyed. Results show an increase in peer
disapproval of use of tobacco and alcohol from 1999 to 2001. During the same
time period, there was a decrease in disapproval of use of marijuana and other
illegal drugs.
The
Short-term evaluations of
process objectives are based on the number of participants and on participant
surveys. Parent programs are evaluated through a short survey. Although the
Parent Night event was not well attended, 234 parent contacts were made. DFCSP
is reformatting Parent Night to include a wider variety of speakers, teen
programs, supervised child care, and a free dinner to facilitate parent
participation.
Evaluation of DFCSP’s goal to
establish and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal agencies
shows it has been successful in maintaining current relationships. For example,
in 2003, it participated with law enforcement and local attorneys in 42 tobacco
retailer education classes and 104 tobacco compliance checks. New relationships
have been formed with the Michigan Coalition Regarding Underage Drinking
(MCRUD), faith-based organizations, law enforcement, local hospitals, and other
substance abuse agencies.
Beginnings: The
original stakeholders of the Rural Prevention Network are still involved:
At DFCSP’s inception, it was
administered through a different coalition—the Community Health Improvement
Partnership (CHIP). However, funding was discontinued and a new
partnership—NEAP—was formed. Since 2002, NEAP has been the governing coalition
for the program enabling the continuance of DFCSP.
Tobacco use is a recognized
problem in the communities served by the program. In 1995, the region’s
Community Health Assessment Survey revealed greater consumption rates of
alcohol and greater tobacco use than surrounding communities and the overall
state rate. According to the 1995 Northern Michigan Community Health Assessment
Survey, 35 percent of adults, age 18–24, smoked cigarettes compared to 21
percent statewide.
Challenges
and Solutions: Due to the unstable financial situation of the state
and funding cuts, DFCSP has undergone several changes. The Community Health
Improvement and Assessment state funds were terminated. As a result of this
funding cut, the Community Health Improvement Partnership was forced to disband
until further funding was obtained. To continue providing direction and
collaboration, the primary responsibilities of CHIP were absorbed by NEAP. Many
of the same partners that composed CHIP are active members of the Rural
Prevention Network and its governing body. NEAP adopted the objectives and
program goals of CHIP that pertain to DFCSP, and the program continues.
Sustainability is always a challenge, and plans for
the future depend on funding availability. The program continues to evolve based on the needs of the community.
Success demonstrated by the four-year strategic plan will be beneficial in
gaining further funding. In this way, the program will be an ongoing part of
the Rural Prevention Network along with the Northeast Abstinence Partnership’s
future plans.
Cori Upper, Program Director
Drug-free Communities Support
Program
Phone: (989) 724-6757
Fax: (989) 724-5411