Views from Rural Nebraska National Advisory Committee Office of Safe and Drug Free Communities January 16, 2007 Presented by Doug Swanson University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Rural Nebraska Adams, population 489 Nebraska: 476 of 617 towns are under 1000 people Beatrice 13,000 pop. ranks11th largest 1.7 million people in state 11 counties in panhandle have 90,000 people

Nebraska School Class Size 28 districts – 275 to districts – 80 to districts – 42 to districts – 20 to districts – 8 to19

A snapshot into rural America Towns from 2,500 – 20,000 are considered major population areas School many times only facility Safe feeling, lack of acknowledgement

General Rural Issues Lack of knowledge about services Stigma related to needing help Substitute teachers are scarce –Effects training of staff Schools are isolated from parents and community Support for teachers necessary –Including mental health Therapists are overloaded

Additional General Issues Lack of education focus in schools Communications challenges Untreated generational problems Schools left to deal with all issues Community partners – same people doing everything Create own programs vs evidence based

Safety Concerns Bullying Right person chosen for teams Readily available law enforcement –Response time “Never happen here” syndrome Ability to comply Law enforcement turnover

Alcohol and Drug Issues “The way it’s done here” The bar is the community gathering spot Drug culture Family structure Meth Parents condone and / or support use

What’s Working Awareness and ownership of issues has increased through coalition activity, statistics, planning and grants Safe and Drug Free Schools works Coalitions, growing and working Grants vital, get communities organized & started Trend to mental health support in schools –social workers are being hired in school –allow teachers to teach –helps with stigma

What’s Working Connections made because of grants and government programs –coalitions –safety plans –crisis teams Mental health in schools Meth laws Data collection People (caring, dedicated, life long learners)

Challenges No Child Left Behind is a major stressor Testing and standards instead of teaching Grants come, find proven solutions, boards not making it a priority to continue Schools turn down opportunities because of fear of looking bad

Summary Sustainability Grant timing Community issues – not just school issues Coalition building