1 California Healthy Kids Survey Ventura County Results Longitudinal Results 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10 Data Analysis by: Heidi Christensen, PhD Ventura County Office of Education

2 California Healthy Kids Survey Procedure The CHKS is administered to all 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, and 11 th grade students Prior to 2005/06, “positive parental permission” was required for participation; some districts now use “passive consent” for secondary students. Only districts receiving Title IV or TUPE funding are required to participate in the CHKS

3 California Healthy Kids Survey Changes since 2005/06 Questions about prescription drug use were ADDED to the Core Module in 2007/08 Questions about nutrition, exercise, and asthma were REMOVED from the Core Module

4 Number of Ventura County Students Participating in the CHKS th Grade7,2197,058 Not Available 7 th Grade7,0447,6078,883 9 th Grade6,4826,9807, th Grade6,0377,0717,417 Total Grades 7, 9, 11 26,782 19,563 28, ,658 Waiting for 5 th grade data 24,217

5 Critical Challenges for Ventura County’s Youth Too many of our young people: Are using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and engaging in binge drinking Are bullied, especially at school Feel disconnected from school and their communities These challenges prevent our young people from reaching their potential to lead healthy and successful lives

6 Challenge A Too many of our children and youth are using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and engaging in “binge drinking.”

7 Challenge A – Why Alcohol use Matters Early alcohol use leads to alcoholism Alcohol permanently damages the developing brain Binge drinking is both prevalent and dangerous Underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen car accidents

8 During your lifetime, have you had one full drink of alcohol? (excludes for religious purposes)

9 In the past 30 days, have you had at least one drink of alcohol? Includes “Yes, one or two sips,” and “Yes, a full glass”

10 During the past 30 days, have you had 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row (within a couple of hours)?

During your life, have you driven a car when you had been drinking alcohol or ridden in a car driven by a friend who had been drinking? Question not asked 7 th graders are asked: “In your lifetime, have you ridden in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol?”

12 Why Alcohol Use Matters...

13 Challenge A- Why Smoking Matters Youth who smoke are significantly more likely than non-smokers to: Engage in alcohol and other drug use Be involved in violence and gang membership Experience school-related problems and disengagement (Austin, McCarthy, Slade, Bailey, 2007) Half the people who smoke today will eventually be killed by tobacco (World Health Organization)

14 During your lifetime, have you smoked a whole cigarette?

15 In the past 30 days, have you smoked a cigarette? According to WHO statistics, of the 2,168 7 th, 9 th, and 11 th grade smokers in Ventura County, 1,085 will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness

16 Challenge A – Marijuana Marijuana use among young people in Ventura County is above the state average at the 9 th and 11 th grade levels

17 In your lifetime, have you ever used marijuana?

18 In the past 30 days, have you used marijuana? Question not asked

19 Lifetime Prescription Drug Use 2008 & 2010 (without a doctor’s prescription)

20 Why Marijuana Use Matters...

21 Challenge B - Bullying Too many of our children and youth are bullied at school, in the neighborhood, and in cyber-space.

22 Challenge B – Why Bullying Matters Bullying harms everyone Victims Bystanders Bullies Bullying erodes students’ ability to learn Studies show a link between bullying and later delinquent and criminal behavior

23 In the past 12 months, have you been pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, or kicked by someone at school who wasn’t just kidding around? 5 th graders are asked: “Do other kids hit or push you at school when they are not just playing around?” “Most,” ”All”, or “Some of the time”

24 Physical Bullying by Gender and Ethnicity (2008) 5 th graders are asked: “Do other kids hit or push you at school when they are not just playing around?”

25 In the past 12 months, have you had sexual jokes, comments, or gestures made to you at school?

26 How Safe Do You Feel When You Are at School? “Very Safe” and “Safe” Responses* Fifth grade students are asked, “Do you feel safe at school?” Responses indicated include “All of the time” and “Most of the time” responses.

27 Challenge C Too many of our children and youth feel disconnected from school and their community.

28 Youth Asset Development - How it Matters Children and youth with more assets are more likely to: Get better grades in school Develop positive work behaviors Be responsible for self and others Set and achieve goals Believe they have a future

29 Youth Asset Development - How it Matters Children and youth with more assets are less likely to: Be involved in risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and drug use Contribute to violent or destructive behaviors Give up on themselves and drop out of life

30 Resiliency: School Connectedness

31 Resiliency: Caring Relationships with Adults in School

32 Caring Relationships with Adults in School by Gender and Ethnicity (2010) 5 th Grade data is from 2008

33 Resiliency: High Expectations from Adults in School

34 High Expectations from Adults at School by Gender and Ethnicity (2010) 5 th Grade data is from 2008

35 Resiliency: Meaningful Participation in School

36 Meaningful Participation in School by Gender and Ethnicity (2010) 5 th Grade data is from 2008

37 Why Connectedness Matters: During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless for 2 or more weeks that you stopped doing some of your usual activities?

38 Why Connectedness Matters: Caring Relationships at School and Binge Drinking (2010)

39 What We Can Do… Form strong, positive relationships with young people Build assets in our youth through small acts of caring Foster a sense of connection to the community

40 Resources Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth – A Call to Action Download document: bottom left corner of main pagewww.vcoe.org Join the Ventura County CAREs listserve Send to: