How To Inoculate Your Kids Against Unhealthy Behaviors

1
How To Inoculate Your Kids Against Unhealthy
Behaviors

• Nancy Waters, M.S., PPSC
• HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

2
What is the California Healthy Kids Survey?

• Conducted by the majority of Californian public
  schools
• Only survey which looks at both assets of
  youth as well as areas of concern.
• Meets the new assessment requirements of the
  No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) for Title IV Safe
  and Drug Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) by
  accurately identifying areas of strength and
  weakness.

3
What is its purpose?

• It is designed to be part of a comprehensive
  data-driven decision making process to help guide
  the development of more effective health,
  prevention, and youth development programs.
• Survey questions ask about behaviors and beliefs
  regarding
• AOD use (Alcohol and Other Drug)
• Tobacco use
• Violence and safety
• Physical health
• Resiliency

4
(No Transcript)
5
RYDM Model

• Risk and Youth Development Model
• What can you do as a parent?

6
2006 Positive Results

• 97 of 7th graders have not tried marijuana
• 0 of 5th graders have ever had a full glass of
  alcohol.
• 5th graders feel 26 more safe at Hall then they
  do outside of school.
• School connectedness for 5th grade
• 7th grade compared to state averages

7
Protective Factors - 5th Grade
8
Fall 2006 7th Grade
9
Areas of focus

• Alcohol - availability and perception of harm
• Grade distribution
• Violence and Safety
• 7th grade school connectedness
• 5th grade body image/bullying
• 7th grade female mental health
• 7th grade response rate

10
Alcohol

• 20 of 7th graders think daily alcohol
  consumption is somewhat harmful.
• 30 of 7th graders feel it is fairly easy or very
  easy to get alcohol
• 4 of 7th graders had a full drink within the
  last 30 days.
• 21 shift in 5th graders from Alcohol is very
  bad to Alcohol is a little bad

11
Alcohol

• Parent Education - plant the promise etc. (36 of
  7th graders have NOT had a talked about dangers
  of AOD use with their parents)
• Too Good for Drugs - 6th 8th grade
• (responsible decision making, self appreciation
  and health perception)
• Statistically - prevention is proven more
  effective before major transitions
• Red Ribbon Week - parent and student activities

12
Grade Distribution

• 47 of 7th graders report they receive mostly
  As.
• 10 increase from 2004 2005

13
Violence and Safety

• In the last 12 mo
• 18 of 7th graders report having seen someone
  with gun/knife at school
• 37 of 7th graders report having been harassed
• From 05-06 16 decrease in 5th graders who
  feel safe at school all the time

14
Violence Safety

• Increased awareness of rules regarding weapons
• Character Counts!
• Respect, Caring, Citizenship, Fairness,
  Responsibility Trustworthiness
• Mix it up at lunch day - Nov. 13th

15
7th Grade Protective Factors
16
School Connectedness

• Decreases from 5th-7th grade
• SMART Goal meeting - working on adult mentor
  program/activities to get to know 6/7th grade
  teachers.

17
Emotional Health Self Acceptance

• 26 of female 7th graders felt sad for more than
  2 weeks
• 23 of 5th graders said they are currently trying
  to lose weight
• 33 of 5th graders have been teased for how their
  body looks

18
Emotional Health Self Acceptance

• Character Counts!
• Self Care Lesson 6/7th grade
• Increase counselor accessibility
• Work with school nurse - curriculum regarding
  development and self acceptance

19
Survey Response Rate

• 05-06 decreased by 15 in 5th grade and 14 in
  7th grade.
• Negative permission slips
• Increased explanation of what the CHKS is used
  for at Hall

20
Home Connection - 5th grade
21
Protective Factors

• Caring relationships
• In my home there is a parent or other adult
  who
• Is interested in my schoolwork
• Who listens when I have something to say
• Who talks with me about my problems
• (80 5th graders)

22

• High Expectations
• In my home there is an adult who
• Always wants me to do my best
• Believes that I will be a success
• Expects me to follow rules

(97 5th graders)
23
Protective Factors

• Meaningful participation
• In my home I
• Help make decisions with my family
• Do fun things or go fun places with my parents or
  other adults
• Do things that make a difference

(17 of 5th graders)
24
Internal Assets (5th Grade)