Sharon T. Wilburn, PhD, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2673, 904-620-14 34, swilburn@unf.edu, Rachel Purcell, MPH, Middle Grades Coordinator Project, NEFEC, 3841 Reid Street, Palatka, FL 32177, Peggy Kelly, BS, Supervisor of Health Education, NEFEC, 3841 Reid St., Palatka, FL 32177, Kenneth T. Wilburn, PhD, College of Education and Human Services, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South, Jacksonvinlle, FL 32224, and Dax Weaver, MPH, Health-Tech Consultants, Inc., 1516 Neptune Grove Drive, West, Neptune Beach, FL 32266.

The purpose of this evaluation-research study was to assess the impact of a five-year program by a consortium of rural schools in northeast Florida. Program intent was to develop a sustainable model of parent, school and community collaboration to reduce substance abuse and violence among middle grades students. Program changes, in regard to a preprogram baseline, was used to measure levels of program implementation. An annual self-reporting student survey of substance abuse was used to monitor changes in substance abuse and violence among the target population over a five year period. In addition a non-equivalent comparison group of students in similar small and rural non-program schools was used to assess overall program impact on knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding substance abuse and violence. Assessment at the end of the fifth year of the program indicates that the participating rural schools were able to implement and sustain a comprehensive substance abuse and violence program centered on proven effective strategies. When compared to the baseline year there were significant increases in participation by community members, students, and school personnel. Analysis of end of trend data for year to year changes, and net program changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors provided mixed results. While overall substance abuse declined, this trend was not consistent from site to site and between drugs categories. Currently, a follow-up analysis is being conducted to determine which program variables are most correlated with program outcomes. These results will be included in the final presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss effective procedures for developing community-school colloborative efforts to prevent and/or reduce substance abuse and violence in middle grades.
• Identify the components of a comprehensive model for preventing and/or reducing substance abuse and violence in rural middle schools.
• Assess procedures for evaluating community-school partnerships for preventing and/or reducing substance abuse and violence in rural middle grade schools.

Keywords: Rural Populations, Substance Abuse Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.