1. Downingtown Area PAYS 2013 Report

2. What is PAYS?  The Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) is a student survey administered in odd- numbered years (e.g., 2009, 2011, 2013) to youth in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades in participating schools throughout the Commonwealth. All Chester County Public Schools participated in the 2013 PAYS.  The survey is anonymous, voluntary and confidential. Youth are never required to complete the survey, and their identity is not connected to their answers.  Passive Permission for administration of the survey.  The questions asked in the survey cover many types of attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, and experiences. Youth respond to questions on topics such as:  Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD)  Violence and drugs on school property  Being bullied  Involvement in gangs  Depression  Gambling

3. PAYS Continued:  Youth also answer questions related to risk and protective factors (RPF). Risk Factors increase the chances of a youth having problems, and Protective Factors decrease the chances. RPF questions in the PAYS cover many areas of youths’ lives, including:  Community  School  Family  Peer  Individual  The PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) sponsored the administration of the PAYS since 1989. In 2013, the PA Dept. of Education (PDE) and PA Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Prevention (DDAP) joined PCCD in sponsoring school-district participation in the survey.

4. PAYS is a crucial tool used by DASD and CTC to determine the health of our community and to provide new supports or programs as needed. PAYS helps parents better understand the real, daily pressures children have, how they are coping at each grade level, and it gives you the information needed to support your child and have those important conversations.

5. STRENGTHS of Downingtown Area School District Students  Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug (ATOD) usage has decreased in 6 th, 8 th and 10 th grade surveys from PAYS 2011 to PAYS 2013 and is below the Chester County and PA PAYS data

6. 30 Day Marijuana Usage - 10 th Grade Surveys

7. 30 day Prescription Drug Usage – Narcotic Prescription drugs w/o Doctor’s order (OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin) – 10 th Grade Surveys

8. 30 Day Alcohol Usage – PAYS 8 th Grade Surveys

9. 30 Day Marijuana Usage – PAYS 8 th Grade Surveys

10. Bullying Question – How wrong do you think it is for someone your age to bully another student or peer? (PAYS 2013)  Over 90% of Downingtown Area students think bullying is wrong in grades 6 th, 8 th, 10 th and 12 th grades  6 th grade – 97%  8 th grade – 95%  10 th grade – 95%  12 th grade – 90%

11. Challenges for Downingtown Area School District  Downingtown Area Gateway Drugs (Alcohol and Marijuana) 30 day usage has increased with 12 th grade surveys from PAYS data 2011 to PAYS data 2013

12. Driving After Alcohol 12 th grade

13. 30 Day Marijuana Usage 12 th Grade Surveys

14. Driving After Marijuana 12 th Grade

15. BINGE DRINKING (5+ drinks in a row in the past two weeks) – PAYS – 12 TH Grade Surveys

23. The PAYS 2013 results also indicate the Risk and Protective Factors in our DASD community that need to be addressed to promote a healthy, safe, and supportive community for our children. These factors are identified to help us develop intentional programming and policy to support children, youth and families. What are the highest Risk Factors and lowest Protective Factors for the Downingtown Community?

24. PROTECTIVE FACTORS – PAYS 2013 defined as “ Characteristics that decrease the likelihood that a student will engage in problem behaviors. Protective Factors promote positive youth development.”  LOWEST SCORING PROTECTIVE FACTORS – ( AREAS OF CONCERN for DASD community)  Religiosity – In communities where young people attend religious programs, services, or groups regularly, there is a lower percentage of anti-social behaviors and ATOD use.  Community Rewards for Pro Social Involvement – Rewards for positive participation in community activities that help students bond to the community and increase self-respect as well as respect for community.

25. RISK FACTORS – PAYS 2013 defined as “Characteristics in the community, family, school and individual’s environment known to increase the likelihood that a youth will engage in more than one problem behavior. In a community where there is acceptance and tolerance of these risk factors, students are more likely to engage in problem behaviors. ”  HIGHEST RISK FACTORS – (AREAS OF CONCERNS for DASD community)  Poor Family Management – (Students perceive inconsistent and/or unusually harsh or severe punishment; parent’s failure to provide clear expectations and to monitor children’s behavior)  Perceived Risk of Drug Use – (Students do not perceive a significant risk of harm from drug/alcohol use.)  Rewards for Anti Social behavior – (Students do receive rewards for anti- social behavior.)

26. GOALS FOR DASD 2015 DOWNINGTOWN AREA PAYS SURVEY  To decrease Downingtown Area Alcohol 30 day usage as measured by the 12 th grade surveys reporting alcohol usage on the 2013 PA Youth Survey (PAYS) from the current baseline of 53.7% to 39% by 2015  2013 Baseline: 53.7%  2015 Desired Outcome: 39%  To decrease the Downingtown Area Marijuana 30 Day usage as measured by the 12 th grade surveys reporting marijuana usage on the 2013 PA Youth Survey (PAYS) from the current baseline of 34.5% to 25%  2013 Baseline: 34.5%  2015 Desired Outcomes: 25%

27. DASD GOALS Continued  To continue the Implementation of the LIFE SKILLS TRAINNG PROGRAM (Health Curriculum) to students in grades 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grades for the 2014/15 school year through the DASD grant through University of Colorado at Boulder  Teacher training scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2014  Greta Neff will complete Trainer requirements  To study the needs for sustainability of the LST program for the 2015/16 school year. Attend trainings and meetings at EPIS Center (Penn State) and LST grant trainings on sustainability during the 2014/15 school year  Sustainability Training through UC at Boulder on September 30, 2014 in Bucks County  EPIS Center continued conference calls, webinars and technical assistance

28. GOALS Continued  To decrease the risk factor of the Downingtown Area “Attitudes Favorable to Drug Use” as measured by 12 th grade surveys reporting greater acceptance toward drug use on the 2013 PA Youth Survey (PAYS) from the current baseline of 59.1 to 50 by 2015  2013 Baseline: 59.1  2015 Desired Outcome: 50  To increase the protective factor of the Downingtown Area “Rewards for ProSocial Involvement” as measured by 10 th grade students reporting they are recognized and rewarded for their contributions at school on the 2013 PA Youth Surveys (PAYS) from the current baseline of 57.6 to 62 by 2015  2013 Baseline: 57.6  2015 Desired Outcome: 62

29. DASD GOALS Continued  To increase communication with parents on issues related to ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) through SAP website, DASD webpages linked to SAP website, twitter in coordination with Downingtown CTC  Downingtown CTC will coordinate through the HSA Safe Homes Champion and on the Downingtown CTC Facebook, Downingtown Safe Homes Facebook,web page and Twitter  Downingtown CTC will continue PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST campaign locally with beer distributors and PLCB  DASD – SAP webpage to include information on resources, ATOD parenting information and “how to open communication regarding ATOD with children”, Explore other forms of social media for positive messaging

30. Action Plans to Achieve the GOALS  Present at DASD Wellness Meeting to align Wellness goals with PAYS  Coordinate with building Wellness committees – Safe and Supportive Schools Goals K-8 Bullying Prevention and 9-12 Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Prevention  Provide information and positive messages to high school and middle school students on ATOD through SAP team, student council, building wellness committees….  Provide updated information on Marijuana (and other drugs) to 9 th grade Wellness/Fitness and 10 th grade Health teachers  Schedule presentation for 11 th / 12 th grade students on ATOD prevention if availability of effective programming and scheduling – Previewed NOPE (Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education) and Kacie’s Cause (Kennett Square)

31. Current Initiatives at DASD  Life Skills Training - HEALTH curriculum MS – Evidence and research based to decrease usage of ATOD through 12 th grade (Grant extended through 15/16 school year)  OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program – DMS, LMS, MC6GC, EW, WB, LE, SM, BW  Restorative Practices – DMS and LMS (Restorative Practices offers teachers, students and parents a way of seeing problems as an opportunity for learning.)  Positive Action Curriculum at DHS West and East / At Risk HS students in emotional support program (DASD Pupil Services)  Wellness / At Risk Committees Coordinating Goals and Initiatives – DASD  Student Assistance Program teams K-12 at all buildings to identify at risk students and families, refer for assessment, refer to community agencies, provide services to support students and families

32. Partnership with Downingtown CTC Downingtown Communities that Care (CTC) action plan to address Risk and Protective Factors from PAYS 2013:  SAFE HOMES – 17 parent Volunteer “Champions” in every DASD school to provide parents with tips for improving family communication and setting expectations, provide accurate ATOD prevention information, and promote communication and support among parents of DASD  PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST –A public awareness program educating communities and parents about the health and safety risks of serving/allowing alcohol at teen parties. This program encourages parents and the ENTIRE community to sent a unified message that teen alcohol consumption is unhealthy, unsafe and unacceptable.  Marsh Creek 6 th GC YOUTH COALITION- Positive messaging campaign

33. Downingtown Communities that Care action plan (cont.)  Engaging business, faith, law enforcement leaders and residents to develop Community based pro-social opportunities and rewards for children and teens  Strengthening Families Program - SFP 10-14 is a parent, youth and family skills building curriculum designed to prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthen parenting skills and build family strengths- in cooperation with DASD and Holcombe Behavioral Health  Mock Crash/Cruisin’ Smart -in partnership with DASD and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and many other concerned community agencies to demonstrate the permanent physical and emotional impact to individuals and families of Driving Under the Influence.

34. Tina Forsythe, Student Assistance Specialist DASD tforsythe@dasd.org 6102694400 x 7596 Cell: 610-633-5704 tforsythe@dasd.org Downingtown Communities that Care (CTC) Libby Egnaczyk, Community Mobilizer dtownctc@ymcagbw.org www.dtownctc.org Facebook Downingtown Area Communities that Care Downingtown Safe Homes