april 2007 promoting healthy youth development using a community mobilization process
TRANSCRIPT
April 2007
Promoting Healthy Youth Development Using a
Community Mobilization Process
April 2007
Communities That Care-Squamish
• First community in Canada to implement the CTC process.
• 7 years old
April 2007
CTC Vision
• Our vision for the community of Squamish is for a vibrant, safe, healthy, connected and supportive community which embraces and encourages diversity and ensures that each member has opportunities to contribute and succeed.
-The CTC Project
April 2007
Background
• In 1998, the Healthy Communities Committee initiated the Communities That Care project as a way of creating opportunities for young people to reach their best potential in life.
April 2007
Youth Health Concerns
• The project’s primary aim is to prevent six health and behavior problems that may inhibit success:
substance abuse, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, academic difficulty, violence depression/anxiety.
April 2007
Build Positive Futures
Begin with the end in mind.-Stephen Covey
April 2007
Social Development Strategy
© 2000 Developmental Research and Programs, Inc.8/1/00 9:35 AM -#
April 2007Key Leader Orientation © 2003 Channing Bete Company, Inc. Item # 501264A 3-5
April 2007
Phase One Introduce and Involve
• Inclusive participation encompassing the entire community is essential to address identified risks in collaboration with existing groups, resources and programs in our community.
CTC engaged and educated key stakeholders.
April 2007
Who is involved?
• The project participants include youth, parents, service providers, local government, law enforcement, education, faith community, cultural groups, business community, recreation, health, mental health, social services, cultural groups and other community members.
April 2007
How does is work?
• The philosophy of CTC is that through a process of reduction of risk and strengthening of protective factors throughout the course of young people’s development that we can prevent many problems from developing.
April 2007
Adolescent Problem Behaviours Risk Factors Substance Abuse
Delinquency
Teen Pregnancy
School Drop
-Out
Violence
Community Availability of Drugs X Availability of Firearms X X Community Laws and Norms Favourable Toward Drug Use, Firearms and Crime
X
X
X
Media Portrayals of Violence X Transitions and Mobility X X X Low Neighbourhood Attachment and Community Disorganization
X
X
X
Extreme Economic Deprivation X X X X X Family History of the Problem Behaviour X X X X Family Management Problems X X X X X Family Conflict X X X X X Favourable Parental Attitudes and Involvement in the Problem Behaviour
X
X
X
School Early and Persistent Antisocial Behaviour X X X X X Academic Failure Beginning in Late Elementary School X X X X X Lack of Commitment to School X X X X Individual/Peer Alienation and Rebelliousness X X X Friends Who Engage in the Problem Behaviour X X X X X Favourable Attitudes Toward the Problem Behaviour X X X X Early Initiation of the Problem Behaviour X X X X X Constitutional Factors X X X
April 2007Key Leader Orientation © 2003 Channing Bete Company, Inc. Item # 501264A 3-14
April 2007
Principles
• Inclusive
• Proactive
• Based on rigorous research
• Community-specific
April 2007
We’re all in it together
• The CTC approach aims to strengthen the different environments that affect children and youth: home, school, peer group and the larger community.
April 2007
Protective Factors
• Protective factors within individuals and communities counter risk factors or provide buffers to reduce the negative impact.
• They strengthen healthy beliefs and clear standards for behavior, or
• They build bonding to family, community, school and/or positive peers by providing opportunities for meaningful contribution, teaching skills necessary for contributing and recognizing skillful performance.
E.g. Youth bonding with at least one caring adult.
April 2007
Phase Two-Risk and Resource Assessment
We have created two Community Assessment Reports on the priority risk factors in Squamish.
#1 Family Focus-Make Squamish an easier community to have healthy beginnings and healthy families.
April 2007
Priorities for Action cont’d
#2 Community and Family Focus-Laws and Norms Favorable Toward ATOD
Other related priority risk factors:
Perceived Availability of Drugs-CommunityFamily Stressors/Extreme Economic Deprivation-
Community
April 2007
Phase Two
• Community strengths and resources assessment including review of laws and norms.
• The assessment found lower numbers of resources in some developmental age and risk factor areas of life long impact:– Family Management– Community Laws and Norms Favorable.
April 2007
Phase Three
We have identified four promising approaches which:
• Address research-based risk factors for the 5 problem behaviors
• Increase protective factors• Intervene at a developmentally appropriate age
• Have shown positive effects in high-quality tests.• Provide value for cost• Build on existing services• Use community resources e.g. parents/volunteers
April 2007
Phase Four
We have defined desired outcomes
We have implemented the Strengthening Families Program
We have begun implementation of the High Scope Approach at three pre-school sites in Squamish
We have begun implementation of the Municipal Alcohol Policy and Step Up! Social Marketing Campaign.
April 2007
Strengthening Families Program
• SFP is a 14-session life skills training program designed to increase resilience and reduce risk factors for substance abuse, depression, violence and aggression, delinquency, foster care and school failure in high-risk 6-11 year old children and their parents. Although originally developed for children of substance abusers, SFP is effective and widely used with non-substance abusing families in many settings.
April 2007
SFP
• More than five graduates have been trained as program facilitators
• Engagement of volunteers in the program has helped to spread positive parenting throughout the community (26 volunteers contributed over 980 hours in one cycle)
• Schools partner in donation of space and marketing of the program
April 2007
At Program End, Physical Discipline Was Significantly Reduced *
27% Before SFP0% After SFP
*p=0.00 for parents reporting use of physical discipline “sometimes” (9), “frequently” or “always”
April 2007
SFP
• “I’ve learned how to be better organized in my household. Things aren’t so crazy now”
-Strengthening Families Parent
April 2007
“Benchmarking”
• Compared to some of the US findings, we compared very favourably…
April 2007
Effect Sizes for Squamish v NJ*p=0.000; **p=0.004; ns=not significant
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Family Organization*Communication*
Family Strengths/Res*Parental Supervision*Family Cohesion*Positive Parenting*
Parental Involvement*
Depression*
Parenting Efficacy*Overt Aggression*Concentration Probs*
Shyness*
Covert Aggression*SFP Parenting Skills**
Family Conflict (ns)Hyperactivity (ns)
Criminal Behavior (ns)Alcohol & Drug (ns)
April 2007
Family Organization – Family reviews chores/rules; family holds family meetingsCommunication – Talk feelings with child, clear rules re: acceptable behaviour (eg. alc and drug)Family Strengths/Resilience – Members express love; clear directions; effective discipline; closeParental Supervision – Measures the amount of monitoring and supervision of childFamily Cohesion – Degree of parent-child attachment and enjoymentPositive Parenting – Parent acts in loving and affectionate manner toward childParental Involvement – Parent discusses school, friends, checks homeworkDepression (Child) – Child is irritable and down most of the timeParenting Efficacy – Parent reports handling stress well and feels happy in parent roleOvert Aggression (Child) – Hurts others physically; breaks things; fightsConcentration Problems (Child) – Child is easily distractible, disorganized, forgetfulShyness (Child) – Doesn’t socialize with others; is rejected by othersCovert Aggression (Child) – Stealing, deliberate property damage, breaks rulesSFP Parenting Skills – Uses positive discipline, communication; monitors; family meetingsFamily Conflict (Family) – Serious and persistent yelling, insults, argumentsHyperactivity (Child) – Motor restlessness to a degree that interferes with day-to-day activityCriminal Behaviour (Child) - Serious anti-social behaviour (eg. use weapon in fight)Alcohol and Drug Use (Parent) – Number of episodes of alcohol or drug use in the past month.
Effect Size: a standardized way of measuring the size of a treatment effect (independent of sample size). An ES of 0.2 would be considered “small”; 0.5 “medium” and 0.8 “large”
Definitions
April 2007
People Care About Me
• Sustain the program
• Reach community dosage levels
• “We need to keep on with the process for our kids. The work we do now will create more converted people.” Michelle LeBeau, Capilano College-5 year member.
April 2007
High Scope Preschool Program
• The program provides a systematic approach to enhancing children’s development. It is effective with children from high risk families and those without known risks. Children attend five half-days per week. Essential components of the program include home visiting, systematic developmental assessments during the program to document changes and sensitivity to family needs.
April 2007
Immediate Benefits
• “Teachers are already seeing increased learning and decreased levels of conflict in the classrooms” Suzie Soman, Director of Child Development Services, Sea to Sky Community Services Society
April 2007
High/Scope
• Three key differences in a High/Scope Classroom– Room Arrangement– Daily Routine– Adult Child Interactions to Support Active
Learning
April 2007
High/Scope Returns
• Start at the beginning with Prenatal 0-6 age group.
• For every dollar spent on prevention up to $17.00 is saved
• Validated internationally
• www.highscope.org
• School aged curriculum used in Ontario
April 2007
Perry Preschool at 19 YO
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Special Ed.RTL Drop OutArrestWelfareLiterateEmployedPost-Sec
April 2007
Launched Fall 2004
• 40 classroom teachers trained as LEAD Teachers with an additional 7 to graduate this spring.
• 128 children and their families• 2 adult trainers being certified with hopes of a
First Nations trainer soon• 6 centres in varying stages of classroom and
teacher certification not including North Shore
April 2007
Parents as valued partners
• Home visits• Parent teacher meetings• Increased referrals for services• FACES program provides parent education
opportunities• Delivering parent programs has also helped
teachers expand their tool kits in preparing for presentations
April 2007
Interim Outcomes
• Based on COR scores, we have seen significant improvements in student performance in initiative, social relations, creative representation, movement and music despite change in staff in implementing sites despite staff turnover. Math and science and language and literacy scores are pending.
April 2007
Mid Term Targets
• Increased levels of child performance shown by Child Observation Record
• Expect to see improved EDI outcomes (communication, emotional maturity, social competence, physical health and well-being, language and cognitive development in Kindergarten sttudents
April 2007
Children Ready to Learn and Schools Ready for Children and
Families• Pilot Project at Brackendale Elementary School
starting April 10• Ready School Assessment (RSA) is a planning tool
designed to provide school improvement teams with a developmental profile of the strength of readiness features in their school
• School’s readiness to accommodate diversity of strengths and backgrounds in children entering the school both through supports, instruction and collaborative efforts that reach beyond the school walls.
April 2007
FACES of High/Scope
• Family and Child Literacy Program in partnership with Capilano College
• 4 years• 22 sessions average 9 adults and their
children attending per session• Families have built support networks
outside the program and have learned about resources and cultures in the community.
April 2007
8 indicators
1. Leaders and Leadership
2. Transitions***
3. Teacher Supports
4. Engaging Environments
5. Effective Curricula
6. Family, School and Community Partnerships***
7. Respecting Diversity***
8. Assessing Progress
April 2007
10 keys to Ready Schools
1. Ready schools smooth transitions between home and school
2. Strive for continuity between early care and education programs and elementary schools
3. Help children learn and make sense of the complex and exciting world
4. Are committed to the success of every child
April 2007
Keys to Ready Schools cont’d
5. Are committed to the success of every teacher and every adult who interacts with children during the school day
6. Introduce or expand various approaches that have been shown to raise achievement
7. Are learning organization that alter practices and programs if they do not benefit children
8. Serve Children in Communities9. Take Responsibilities for Results10. Have Strong Leadership
April 2007
Changing the Community’s Views
• Municipal Alcohol Policy adopted by District of Squamish and SD 48
Six keys (Blue Ribbon Policy):1. A list of locations eligible for
alcohol use2. Management Practices 3. Prevention4. Enforcement Procedures and
Penalties for non-compliance with policy.
5. Signs6. Ongoing support carrying out
the policy and plan
April 2007
Honoring Diverse Cultures
• Special Project to deepen relationship with Indo-Canadian Community
• Sustaining strong relationship with First Nations
• Intercultural learning
www.fncaringsociey.com
April 2007
Intercultural Learning
• First Nations, South Asian, Japanese, Nepalese, Chinese, Mandarin, North Korean –ever changing
• SFP Punjabi Pilot
• Documenting implementation of High/Scope in First Nations Sites (Corridor)
April 2007
Community Action Plan
– Key Elements• Broad community involvement and ownership
• Based on Data-driven assessment of risks
• Mutually agreed upon focus and priorities
• Research based programs, policies and practices, building on existing resources.
• Outcome-based plan and evaluation strategy
April 2007
CTC Canada
• National Conference Squamish- Goal 2007– Showcase Prevention Work in Sea to Sky– Promising Approaches– Launch High/Scope Centre for Excellence for
BC– Training of Rob Smith as a certified Trainer– Safe Communities– We need new partners to lead this.
April 2007
Additions to the CTC Model
CTC has held four annual Conferences:
• Early Intervention
• Population Health
• Social Environments
• Community Development
April 2007
Other benefits to the community
• National Family Week
• Child Abuse Awareness month
• Evaluation Workshop for Grass roots organizations
• Some of our partners/Squamish has received recognition based on CTC and its programs
April 2007
Implementing the Comprehensive Community
Action Plan• Educating and engaging the entire community so
that everyone has a significant and valued role to play in implementing the plan
• Monitoring implementation of programs, policies and practices
• Monitoring progress toward desired outcomes through regular assessment and evaluation
• Celebrating successes
April 2007
Other goals for 2007
• Sustain evidence based programs• Next round of promising approaches• Evaluation support to 1-2 community
groups• Repeat Community Assessment• Safe Communities Designation• CTC National Conference/Prevention
Showcase
April 2007
Predictors of Sustainability
Predictors of sustainability during initial funding:
• Fidelity of CTC Implementation
• Board Knowledge
• Coalition Functioning (internal)
• Coalition Functioning (external)
• Community Readiness
April 2007
Sustaining Over Time
• “It’s a long-term relay race.” Adapted from Sonja Lebans
April 2007
It’s bigger than youth
CTC Squamish has created a community environment that values collaboration and partnership which has helped many other groups and organizations thrive. It has created great confidence that complex community problems can be addressed by sustained local community action.-Pam Gliatis, Squamish Volunteer Centre
April 2007
Results, resilience and relationships
• Long – term action
• Invest in quality
• It takes leadership and partners
April 2007
April 2007
For more information
Christine Buttkus
Project Coordinator
(604) 892-5796 Voicemail #425
Cell: (604) 218-0764
1-877-892-2022
www.ctcsquamish.com