As featured on NWI.life – LaPorte, IN-

When the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte initiated Partners in Prevention in 2019 to influence our younger generation to live healthier lives and make better choices for the rest of their lives, they had no idea the impact would be almost immediate. And while it’s still too early to measure any significant results, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that something incredible is happening in schools throughout La Porte County.

“I just got all the bad out.”

“It refreshes me and calms me down.”

“It takes the anger out of me.”

“It helps me move from this activity to the next one and stay focused.”

These statements are out of the mouths of babes – elementary school students whose curriculum has been infused with an evidence-based program to help them manage not just the stresses of daily life, but life itself.

Partners in Prevention is a signature initiative by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte to strategically address one of the most important health issues identified in the La Porte County Opioid Study: substance abuse prevention. It is the first initiative within the county that aims to influence the root cause of substance abuse behaviors and intervene with proven programs before children become inclined to turn down that fateful path.

In September 2019, HFL awarded grant funding to 11 school or school corporations, totaling more than $2.8 million over the next three years, to implement an evidence-based curriculum to help develop, identify, implement, and sustain substance abuse prevention programs. More than 13,000 La Porte County students will be affected as they learn to help foster positive relationships and social competencies; address addictive behavior, bullying, and violence; and increase school attendance and self-esteem, among other factors.

The grant funding connects participating schools with experts from the Educational Development Center (EDC) to offer technical assistance and RTI International for the evaluation of the three-year initiative.

…

Ray Silvas, a social worker by trade, is now the HFL program coordinator for the Michigan City Area Schools. By the time the schools fully roll out their evidence-based programming, 5,600 students will be involved. (About 1,300 are in it now).

In some elementary schools, they’re using a program called Second Step, and in the middle schools, they’re using Botvin LifeSkills Training.

Silvas said it is necessary to connect with children at the critical age when drugs could be introduced and addictive behaviors can sprout and flourish.

“The best part about Botvin is the discussion portion. During the lessons, kids are able to discuss topics that aren’t normally discussed, and it allows them to realize that other kids are facing the same difficulties in their lives,” Silvas said. “There are a lot of kids who are in quiet desperation for help, and they don’t speak up. This program gives them a voice so they know that they aren’t alone.”

Silvas said it’s too early to report hard numbers, but they are seeing a decline in disciplinary issues and truancy, and he has personally seen an improvement in the way children and teens are disciplining themselves and taking care of each other.

Silvas said the programs are just as effective for the staff as well. Teachers need these wins.

“Across the board, we do need to recognize that we have to provide more opportunities for self-care and more support for programs that work for our teachers. They are literally at the front line every single day. I think all districts need to do a better job of recognizing them and praising them for the efforts they make that have a positive impact. That’s why we are so grateful for this HFL grant. It is giving us the resources to support our teachers and our students to be better citizens more than we’ve ever had before.”

As Arter, Silvas, and all the other program coordinators across La Porte County continue to implement their programs, the HFL will continue to connect them with the professional support they need from the facilitators during periodic check-ins and education sessions when needed. The first year will be a learning year for everyone. The second and third years will allow the schools to solidify their program implementation so they can sustain success beyond the grant cycle. Success will be measured, key indicators will be tracked, and celebrations will take place when the wins happen.

“Of course, at the end of the day, it’s about helping our children become better people and putting them on a better path in life,” Silvas said.

For more information about Partners in Prevention, visit the HFL website here https://hflaporte.org/partnersinprevention/.

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