substance abuse newaygo, michigan

Newaygo County Year End Outcome Evaluation Report 2011-12

INTRODUCTION

Newaygo County has had a substance abuse prevention affiliate since 1989 with many key leaders and

agencies involved for many of those years. The formerly known Safe and Drug Free Schools and

Communities Affiliate of Newaygo County was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the NC3 Community

Collaborative. In April of 2010, the NC3 Community Collaborative Executive Council merged the Safe and

Drug Free Schools and Communities Affiliate with the Suicide Prevention Affiliate to form a more unified

alliance in prevention for Newaygo County. The affiliate is now known as the Suicide and Substance

Abuse Prevention Affiliate (SSAPA).

The Newaygo County SSAPA plans to continue to partner with existing membership and community

agencies to utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) developed by The Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) in order to garner positive change as it relates to

suicide and substance abuse. This framework allows Newaygo County to identify and select evidence-

based programs, policies, and practices to address suicide and substance abuse specific consequence

areas. The substance abuse consequence areas, which were identified as target priorities, include

alcohol involved traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes, tobacco related death, and over-the-counter and

prescription drug-related poisonings and deaths. The suicide related consequence areas include the

following: 1) Develop and implement community-based suicide prevention programs 2)

Promote awareness and reduce stigma and 3) Improve the recognition and response to high-

risk individuals within the community. The Newaygo County SSAPA is committed to continuing to

utilize the SPF process as an important vehicle to demonstrate and document outcomes in the field of

prevention by utilizing the five specific steps: Needs Assessment, Capacity Building, Strategic Planning,

Implementation and Evaluation.

SSAPA of Newaygo County is an affiliate of the Newaygo County Collaborative Consortium (NC3

Community Collaborative). The NC3 Community Collaborative is a consortium which consists of

nonprofit and governmental agencies committed to implementing an effective and integrated system of

human service delivery for residents of Newaygo County. All affiliates of the NC3 Community

Collaborative, including SSAPA, meet quarterly to provide up-dates, relay important information to key

leaders in the community, and work collaboratively to garner change in Newaygo County. SSAPA utilizes

the Data Committee to deliver the data related to substance abuse/use as well as to work

collaboratively in finding and assessing data needed to prioritize and evaluate content areas. SSAPA also

works closely with the Health Improvement Council to garner the improvement of the overall health of

Newaygo County citizens, as well as being actively involved in the sub-group, Childhood Health to

improve the health of the children in Newaygo County

The Newaygo County Suicide & Substance Abuse Prevention Affiliate

Year End Outcome Evaluation Report 2011-12

Related to the priorities in the 2010-15 Strategic Prevention Plan


SSAPA is comprised of community members that are dedicated to the prevention of suicide and substance abuse in Newaygo County. Affiliate members involved in this collaboration include: Arbor Circle Counseling Agency; Bethany Christian Services; Community Mental Health; Department of Human Services; District Health Department #10; Family Health Care; Michigan Department of State Police; CEI CMH; NC 3 Community Collaborative; Newaygo County Commissioner; Newaygo County Circuit Court; Newaygo County RESA; Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office; Parent/Survivor of Suicide; PRIDE of Newaygo County including 30 youth members; The Farm Where Living Things Grow; The Times Indicator; True North Community Services; Women’s Information Services, Inc.; and White Cloud Public Schools. The formal affiliate structure is ruled by the Official By-Laws, up-dated and reviewed annually

by the affiliate and formally approved by a vote. The affiliate is led by the chairperson and the

Executive Council who are elected bi-annually by SSAPA voting members and has shown

knowledge and belief in the affiliate’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.

SSAPA Vision: Newaygo County is continually moving toward being free from suicide deaths and

the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and their relative consequences.

SSAPA Mission: The Affiliate’s members, in cooperation with students, parents, residents, and

community service agencies, resolve to provide a safe, healthy, and positive environment that

leads our children and adults to become caring, contributing citizens, and to reduce suicide and

substance abuse among youth and adults through education, peer mediation, and community

substance abuse prevention strategies.

Through the detailed definitions and listed strategies provided by the Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research, the Newaygo County SSAPA members were able to determine which stage our county and affiliate are currently working at. Although it may be said that a community or affiliate may be working in more than one stage of readiness, we have determined as an affiliate which stage the community and affiliate are working most effectively in at this time. The Executive Council recently reviewed these stages at the June, 2012 meeting. Please see below for the determined stages of readiness for Newaygo County as well as the Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention affiliate. County/Community: Stage 6: Initiation (Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research) Community climate varies, but there is no active resistance, and there is a modest involvement of community members in the efforts. Affiliate: Stage 8: Confirmation/Expansion (Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research) Standard efforts are in place and authorities or community decision-makers support expanding or improving efforts. Community members appear comfortable in utilizing efforts. Original efforts have been evaluated and modified, and new efforts are being planned or tried in order to reach more people. Resources for new efforts are being sought or committed. Data are regularly obtained on extent of local problems, and efforts are made to assess risk factors and causes of the problem. Community climate is fundamentally supportive.


AFFILIATE

Funding streams: The SSAPA received the majority of its funding to support substance abuse

prevention activities through the former Mid South Substance Abuse Commission in the amount of

$105,000 in total. The Newaygo County Circuit Court received $14,000 of the Mid South grant and

$17,029 from the JABGNM grant to support all diversion programs. The Arbor Circle Counseling Agency

received $28,000 of the Mid South grant with additional funding included from Lakeshore United Way of

$4000.00 and the Amazing X grant of $6000.00 to support prevention programming.

Additionally, the Executive Council wrote and submitted a Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant,

achieving a score of 91 out of 100. Only six DFC grants were awarded nationally, and Newaygo County

did not obtain the grant. The Executive Council plans to review the comments from the 2012

submission and re-submit the DFC grant in 2013.

At the June 2012 Executive Council meeting, members reviewed the Mid South Prevention

Department’s Coalition Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric adopted from The Center for Prevention

Research & Development at the University of Illinois. In Section 11: Community Ownership, the

financial section states “Funding for coalition activity is provided by only one source” stayed at a

‘medium’ rating during the fiscal year. This is an area of improvement and will continue to be a priority

of the SSAPA.

Current prevention programming:

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Diversion Programs provided by the Newaygo County Circuit

Court

Prevention Groups in the middle and high schools for the public school districts of Newaygo

County including: Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud provided by Arbor

Circle Counseling Agency

Vendor Education for at least 50% of alcohol and tobacco vendors in Newaygo County provided

by NC RESA

Compliance checks for 100% of tobacco vendors and four non-compliant alcohol vendors from

the previous year were provided by the Sheriff’s Office

Youth Tobacco checks completed for the Michigan Department of Community Health provided

by NC RESA

Party Patrol provided by the Sheriff’s Office on nights and weekends of the months of April

through September

Prescription Drug Take-back boxes established in each law enforcement agency in Newaygo

County (Grant, White Cloud, Newaygo, Fremont, Hesperia)

Survivor of Suicide Support group

Qualifications and Credentials of Prevention Staff


Staff Name Highest Degree Earned Credentials

Nicole Skrabis

Newaygo County RESA

MI Teaching Certificate:

-Physical Ed. K-12

-Elementary Ed.

Certified Prevention Specialist

(CPS) acquired through MCBAP

Amanda Nelson

Newaygo County RESA

Bachelors degree:

English

CPS development plan in

progress through MCBAP

Ken DeLaat

Newaygo County Circuit Court

High School Diploma CPS development plan in

progress through MCBAP

Gale Beach

Arbor Circle Counseling Agency

Masters Degree:

LLMSW CAAC

CPS certified

Michelle Woodison-Evans


Masters degree:

LMSW CAAC

Roger Wiegers


Masters degree:

LMSW CAADC

PROCESS OUTCOMES

In the 2011-12 fiscal year 100% of the milestones of the Newaygo County Implementation Plan were

completed. Accomplishments include:

Monthly Coordinator’s reports were developed, distributed to SSAPA members, emailed to

school personnel and uploaded to the SSAPA website

The SSAPA website was updated monthly and included, meeting minutes, upcoming events,

Coordinator’s Reports and substance abuse news and information

Weekly postings were created on Facebook and included suicide and substance abuse

information, ROSC topics, prescription drug topics, medical marihuana information, community

event announcements and general prevention information for youth, parents and community

members

SSAPA information was shared at the Family Expo and Baby Food Festival

The 2012-13 Implementation Plan was developed, approved by SSAPA and submitted to MSSAC

Three focus groups were completed and included pharmacists, individuals in recovery and youth

in the Newaygo County diversion programs

Two Orientation trainings were held for new members, including one for youth and one for

adults

Three new MOUs were established

Four trainings were held for SSAPA members, which included: Families Against Narcotics,

Newaygo County Drug Trends, Prescription Drug Abuse and Medical Marihuana

Alcohol, Tobacco and Prescription Drug Logic Models were updated

Agency action plans were completed for NC RESA, Newaygo County Circuit Court, Arbor Circle

and the Sheriff’s Office

Alcohol and tobacco vendor education was delivered to 50% of Newaygo County vendors

20 prevention groups were completed by Arbor Circle


Alcohol and tobacco diversion programming continued throughout the year through the Circuit

Court, and a new evidence-based program ‘Alternate Routes’ was implemented

Extra officers from the Sheriff’s Office conducted MIP ‘party patrol’ from May through

September, resulting in 16 citations for minors in possession, with 5 youth under the age of 16

referred to diversion

SYNAR activities were completed, and both vendors were found compliant

Compliance checks were conducted through the Sheriff’s Office for 100% of tobacco vendors

with five vendors found non-compliant, and four alcohol vendors previously found non-

compliant were 100% compliant in 2012

The Mid South Prevention Department’s Coalition Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric was reviewed

by Executive Council members in June 2012 to assess the accomplishments of the 2011-12 fiscal

year and prioritize areas for action

A year-end celebration event is planned for the November SSAPA meeting. An outcome

snapshot flyer will be created and distributed to SSAPA members, their agencies and networks

School district’s ATOD policies were gathered, reviewed, and discussed

100% of school districts completed the MiPHY survey in the 2011-12 school year

With the intended milestones being reached, the following is a list of ADDITIONAL activities that were

completed as a result of the efficiency and dedication of the SSAPA:

30 new MOUs were completed by youth

Affiliate members shared SSAPA brochures, suicide and substance abuse prevention and

prescription drug materials at a table for the Senior & Caregiver Expo, and a SSAPA member

from the Sheriff’s Office took a prescription drug drop-off box to the event

A Survivors of Suicide group was started in Newaygo County

A Drug Free Communities grant was written and submitted

A presentation was given by Katie Gunderson from the District Health Department #10

regarding Prescription Drug Abuse

Dr. Baker from the Westbrook Recovery Center in Grand Rapids, MI provided a training for

affiliate members and their networks on the nature of addiction relevant to the area

The SSAPA Coordinator presented on ‘Coalition Roadblocks and Success’ at the Annual

Substance Use Disorder Conference in Detroit

BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES

Major data indicators: The SSAPA uses alcohol and tobacco logic models to demonstrate the

connectivity of priority need to strategies and evaluation measures. Within the logic models major data

indicators are intended to be tracked over time in order to prioritize need and evaluate programming

and strategies. SSAPA intends to expand the current data indicators to include prescription drug use

among all age groups. SSAPA also intends to obtain suicide and substance use data pertaining to adults

and senior populations. Currently, SSAPA has gathered data for an alcohol and tobacco logic model, and

the data indicators are as follows:

Alcohol data indicators:


Alcohol Compliance Checks

YEAR 2011 2012

NUMBER CHECKED 69 4

NUMBER SOLD 4 0

Four of 69 vendors sold alcohol to an underage decoy in 2011 and received citations. The same vendors were

rechecked with 100% compliance in 2012 (Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, 2012).

Alcohol related traffic crashes

o Between the years of 2006 to 2010, there was an average of 2.4 alcohol involved fatal

crashes per year in Newaygo County. During that same timeframe, there was an

average of 21.2 alcohol involved injury and 76.4 alcohol involved crashes per year in

Newaygo County (MI Office of Highway Safety Planning)

o In 2009 alcohol was involved in 16.7% of all fatal traffic crashes; in 2010 alcohol was

involved in 40% of all fatal crashes; and in 2011 alcohol was involved in 22% of all fatal

crashes (Michigan Traffic and Crash Data, OHSP 2011)

The number of alcohol-related crashes in Newaygo County for all ages has significantly decreased since 2007 (89) compared to 2011 (53) with a 3% decrease in the number of youth drivers (ages 16-20) who were involved in alcohol-related crashes in the same years (Michigan Traffic and Crash Data, OHSP 2011)

Youth who have drank alcohol within the past 30 days

o In 2008, self reported past 30 day alcohol use was 36.4% for 12th graders, 26.2% for 10th

graders, 16.2% for 8th graders, and 1.8 % of 6th graders in Newaygo County (2008

Prevention Needs Assessment Survey)

o In the 2010 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey (MiPHY) 27% of 11th graders,

22.3% of 9th graders, and 10.2% of 7th graders self reported drinking alcohol within the

past 30 days

o In the 2012 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey (MiPHY) 26.5% of 11th graders,

17.2% of 9th graders, and 8.2% of 7th graders reported drinking alcohol within the past

30 days

0 20 40 60 80 100

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

13

0

10

7

6

89

65

81

59

53

Newaygo County Alcohol - Related Crashes: Driver Age Comparison

All Ages

Ages 16-20


The average number of all students who drank alcohol was 17.4% in 2010 and 14.6% in 2012. Alcohol use decreased by 2.8% from 2010 to 2012 among all students surveyed (MiPHY 2010, 2012).

Binge drinking among youth

o 2008 binge drinking rates (five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) revealed

that 23.5% of 12th graders, 17% of 10th graders, 10.2% of 8th graders, and 1.9% of 6th

graders in Newaygo County had 5 or more drinks in a row in the two weeks prior to

taking the 2008 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey

The number of high school students who reported binge drinking decreased by 3.9% from 2010 to 2012(MiPHY 2010, 2012).

Youth perception of peers drinking alcohol regularly

o The 2008 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey reported that 96.9% of 6th graders,

81.4% of 8th graders, 67.1% of 10th graders, and 53.7% of 12th graders felt it to be wrong

or very wrong for peers to drink alcohol regularly

o The 2009-10 MiPHY survey results showed that 59.5% of 11th graders, 64.2% of 9th

graders, and 77.8% of 7th graders felt that alcohol use by peers to be wrong or very

wrong

o The 2012 MiPHY survey results showed that 56.8% of 11th graders, 64.4% of 9th graders,

and 84% of 7th graders felt that alcohol use by peers was wrong or very wrong

10.2%

21%

24.6%

8.2%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%

2010

2012

Alcohol: 30 Day Use Among Middle and High School Students

High School

Middle School

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%3.7% 4%

17.4%13.5%

% of Students who reported Binge Drinking in Past 30 Days


Tobacco data indicators:

Tobacco related death

o In 2007, there were a total of 416 deaths in Newaygo County, with 73 of those deaths,

or 17.5%, directly linked to tobacco use1

Adult smoking rate

o The adult smoking rate in Newaygo County is estimated at 24.7% for 2006 to 2008 1

Youth who have reported smoking cigarettes within the past 30 days

o In 2008, there were 2.2% of 6th graders, 10% of 8th graders, 13.917.3% of 10th graders,

and 26.4% of 12th graders in Newaygo County who reportedly smoked cigarettes in the

past 30 days (Prevention Needs Assessment, 2008)

The average percentage of all students who smoked tobacco was 19.9% in 2010 and 13.8% in 2012. Tobacco use decreased by 6.1% from 2010 to 2012 among all students surveyed (MiPHY 2010, 2012).

Tobacco compliance check rates

o 3 of the 49 total tobacco vendors in Newaygo County sold tobacco to a minor in the

2010 Compliance Checks (1st year of baseline check)

o In 2011, the 3 tobacco vendors who were previously non-compliant in 2010 were

rechecked with 100% compliance

o Five of the 47 total tobacco vendors in Newaygo County sold tobacco to a minor in the

2012 Compliance Checks

SYNAR CHECKS 2006-2012

YEAR 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

1 Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics and Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention; CDC Wonder Online Database and SAMMEC Online Database, 2009.

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

2010 2012

Tobacco: 30 Day Use Among Middle and High School Students

Middle School

High School


PERCENTAGE SOLD 0% 33% 50% 0% 0% 20% 0%

Youth perception of peers smoking cigarettes

o 98.2% of 6th graders, 86.4% of 8th graders, 76.5% of 10th graders, and only 61.7% of 12th

graders in 2008 agreed with the statement “I think it is wrong or very wrong for

someone my age to smoke cigarettes”

o The 2009-10 MiPHY survey results revealed that 68.5% of 11th graders, 74.1% of 9th

graders, and 86.9% of 7th graders agreed

o The 2012 MiPHY survey results revealed that 68.6% of 11th graders, 75.8% of 9th graders,

and 87.3% of 7th graders reported they believe cigarette use by peers is wrong or very

wrong

Immediate behavioral outcomes achieved by prevention programs and strategies

Diversion Programming Year-End Report Newaygo County Circuit Courts Ken DeLaat, Diversion Coordinator

Evaluation Measures: Immediate-10% change in youth attitudes towards the use of substances (pre/post surveys at year end) The pre-post testing on the 18 ‘graduates’ indicate a self-report of no use of alcohol/drugs among 100%

of those completing the survey.

Intermediate-5% reduction in recidivism among previous juveniles in Diversion Program (juvenile does not return for the same offense as reported in the year- end report from 2009 to 2012) In 2009-10, zero juveniles returned to the Drug & Alcohol Diversion program for the same offense; In 2010-11, one juvenile returned; and in 2011-12, zero juveniles returned Long Term-10% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP data 2015) and 5% reduction in 30-day use among younger adults (MiPHY survey data 2015-16) Fiscal Year 2009-2010: 28 participants Fiscal Year 2010-2011: 36 participants Fiscal Year 2011-12: 33 participants

TOTAL PARTICIPANTS IN 2011-2012

Diversion Program Number Served Percentage of Total

Drug & Alcohol 24 75%

Tobacco 9 25%

The Drug and Alcohol Diversion Program served 24 participants this fiscal year with six cases still active and 18 successfully completing the program.

Drug/Alcohol Diversion Number Served Percentage of Total

Active 6 25%

Closed 18 75%

The A/D program involved a total of 24 youths who were referred due to charges of minor in possession

of alcohol, possession of drugs, and other related offenses. After an initial assessment participants are


required to complete a series of activities in order to successfully complete the program. These include

completing 16 hours of community service, taking part in a challenge education course at Camp Henry,

sitting through a series of court sentencing followed by a group discussion with the presiding judge and

attending the Alternate Routes group sessions with their parent/ guardian.

The Alternate Routes groups follow a designed course outline with workbooks for the youth participants

and an accompanying guidebook for parents to follow along. Sessions begin with the two groups

divided as Diversion staff provide information and activities designed to educate both groups on the

dynamics of substance use and abuse as well as enhancing awareness of the far-reaching consequences

from such activity. The youth curriculum serves to promote accountability while using a strength-based

approach to create an atmosphere conducive to change. Focusing on relationships, personal goals, value

clarification and establishing new alternatives to using substances, the course offers the opportunity to

explore new goals and objectives that would lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The parent groups are aimed toward assistance in setting appropriate boundaries, enhancing

communication, dealing with trust issues, and augmenting the parenting skills necessary in meeting the

challenges inherent during the adolescent years.

The groups combine during the final segments of the meetings with activities and exercises designed to

promote communication and develop support for each other.

Six participants remain active in the program with 18 of 18 (100%) successfully completing. The pre-post

testing on the 18 ‘graduates’ indicate a self-report of no use of alcohol/drugs among 100% of those

completing the survey.

The post program evaluations completed by the youth participants yielded the following results:

What did you gain from the program?

o How to make good decisions- 15 of 18 (83%)

o Information on drugs/alcohol- 11 of 18 (61%)

o Help in quitting an alcohol/drug habit 9 of 18 (50%)

Will you use the information from the program to make better decisions?

o 16 of 18 (89%) indicated “Definitely”

o 2 of 18 (11%) indicated “Probably”

Will this program help change the way you and your family work together to address problems?

o 11 of 18 (61%) responded “Definitely”

o 5 of 18 (28%) responded “Probably”

o 2 of 18(11%) responded “Not sure”

Parent surveys

Did you accomplish what you had expected from the program?

o 12 of 14 (86%) indicated ‘Yes”


o 2 of 14 (14%) indicated “Not sure” (Note: One of the ‘Not sure” respondents was a non-

custodial parent who had been to only one of the 4 sessions).

Will this program help change the way you and your family work together to address problems?

o 13 of 14 (93%) indicated “Yes”

o 1 of 14 (7%) indicated “Not sure”

Other parent feedback from the surveys included:

o ”It helped me to not blame her for all of her mistakes but to help her work through them.”

o “The sessions brought us a lot closer.”

o “We learned we need to support on another and communicate better. When we stumble, we

get back up, refocus, learn from it, and move on.”

None of the participants in the Alcohol/Drug Diversion Program have reoffended.

The Tobacco Diversion Program served 9 participants this fiscal year with three cases still active.

Tobacco Diversion Number Served Percentage of Total

Active 3 33.3%

Closed 3 33.4%

Unsuccessful 3 33.3%

Evaluation Measures: Immediate- 10% change in youth attitude towards the use of tobacco (year end pre/post survey) Post testing on the three successful completions indicates via self-report no further use of tobacco among 100% of those completing Intermediate- Continue low rate of sale among tobacco vendors (under 8% in 2012 checks) 9.4% of tobacco vendors sold to a minor in the 2012 tobacco compliance checks Long Term- Reduction in Tobacco related death in Newaygo County by 10% (Tobacco related death report) 5% reduction in 30 day use among Newaygo County Seniors (MiPHY survey 2016-17)

The three students listed as ‘unsuccessful’ were moved to a higher level of court supervision due to

other offenses incurred during their diversion involvement. Students listed as ‘closed’ successfully

completed the program.

The tobacco Diversion Program involves two educational classes along with community service,

assignments such as interviewing two active adult smokers, completing a report on some aspect of

tobacco use, and a final meeting with their parent/guardian.

The Diversion programs give juvenile offenders the opportunity to impact their record through

successful completion. They also provide options toward establishing a healthier lifestyle, improving

family relationships, and acquiring skills which help them establish and meet short and long term goals.

The success of the Drug/Alcohol programming is heavily reliant on the parental involvement. These

parent/child groups not only provide a venue for improving communication between the two but also


serve as a way to determine if further intervention may be required. Referrals for counseling have been

made when interaction in the group process might reveal ancillary issues which could impact the gains

made during the course the program.

The Camp Henry Challenge Education allows participants to form a bond of trust with each other,

challenge perceived limitations they might have imposed on themselves, and develop alternative

problem-solving strategies all the while being reliant on the support of others to achieve the goals set

forth by the course. The high ropes course at the end of the day is attended by parents who frequently

come away from the experience impressed by what they observe their children accomplishing while

providing verbal support to their efforts. This encounter positively impacts the work accomplished in the

groups by the young people who develop an attachment amongst themselves and the parents who are

able to share in the successes of their children.

One young offender spoke at the final meeting of how the experience of being in Diversion had changed

things for him:

“I felt like I was pulling away from my family. I’ve been smoking pot and kind of lost interest in doing

anything with them. I felt like I was in my own world. After I got busted I felt like I had disappointed them

and they were going to be mad at me forever. After the first group my Dad told me how much he cared

for me. That he was mad, but more than mad he was scared for me. He talked about his own recovery

from addiction and how he never wanted me to have to go through what he went through. We started

talking more and spending more time together. Things are better now. I feel like I’m part of the family

again.”

The Diversion programs will persist in finding ways to provide opportunities for these types of changes

by maintaining a strong parental component in its programming. Continual enhancement of services

through ongoing evaluation enables diversion staff to maximize impact, and in doing so not only reduce

recidivism among youthful offenders but substantially lessen the occurrence of underage drinking and

drug use as well as the accompanying family, school, social, and health problems associated with them.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES/MEASURES Drug/Alcohol Diversion: Goals: To reduce the level of drug/alcohol use among youth. Objective: To educate youth about the negative health and legal ramifications of illegal drug/alcohol use, and to increase a sense of worth and communication in the individual, the family, and the community in which to reduce the amount of underage drinking and drug use. Activities: The Drug/Alcohol Diversion Program components currently included are: Initial and final meeting, a signed contract, Challenge Education Course (Camp Henry), Impact Program (Observation of Court proceedings), four Alternate Routes (parent/participant) classes, Community Service, mandatory behavior specifications, and fees. Measures: Pre and post testing (surveys) are currently being implemented as to indicate accurate measurement for success. Tobacco Diversion: Goals: To reduce the level of tobacco use among youth.


Objective: To educate youth about the negative health and legal ramifications of illegal tobacco use, and to increase a sense of worth and communication in the individual, the family, and the community in which to reduce the amount of tobacco use. Activities: The Tobacco Diversion Program components currently included are: Initial and final meeting, a signed contract, Two Educational Classes, Community Service, behavior specifications, and fees. Measures: Pre and post testing (surveys) are currently being implemented as to indicate accurate measurement for success. DIVERSION STAFF CONTINUUM

The Diversion Program Coordinator Ken DeLaat, continues to seek potential enhancement of all Diversion Programs.

Prevention Groups Year-End Report Arbor Circle Counseling Agency Program Manager, Roger Wiegers

Evaluation Measures: Immediate- 10% change in youth attitude towards substance use (pre/post survey at 2011-12 year end) Pre/post survey showed a 91% increase of students attitude towards substance use/abuse in 2011-12 Intermediate-5% reduction in 30-day consumption rates among younger adults (MiPHY survey data in 2013-14) Long Term-10% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP data 2015) and 5% reduction in 30-day use among younger adults (MiPHY survey data 2015-16)

100% of the planned twenty prevention groups in all five school districts in Newaygo County were

completed in 2011-12. These groups are targeting youth who are at risk in areas such as substance

abuse, mental health, bullying, suicidal ideation and other behavior problems. School staff members

identify participating students and secure consent to treat forms from parents. There are six one-hour

groups, and they take place at the school. Arbor Circle also focuses on identifying students who may

need a higher level of care, completing an intake procedure for those students, and seeing the students

for treatment at the school.

Numbers:

All 20 groups were completed as written in the 2011-12 Implementation Plan

Groups included 67 girls and 41 boys for a total of 108 students during 2010-11 with 20 students

identified as needing a higher level of care and seen individually

Groups included 71 girls and 41 boys for a total of 112 students during 2011-12 with 16 students

identified as needing a higher level of care and seen individually

In speaking with school staff at the end of the year, the suggestion was made that two specific groups be

started in the fall of 2012. These groups include students transitioning from elementary to middle

school and students transitioning from middle school to high school. School counselors are extremely

busy monitoring state testing at the beginning of the year and have requested assistance with the

specified groups.

Barriers:

Barriers were identified during the first two years of the program, and the process of establishing groups

is working exceptionally well.

Deviations:


There were no deviations as Arbor Circle continues to use the evidenced-based program, ‘Say It

Straight’.

Party Patrol Year-End Report

Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office- Lt. Chad Palmiter Evaluation Measures: Immediate- 5% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP 2011) In youth ages 16-20, there was a 3% decrease among alcohol related crashes from 2007 to 2011 Intermediate-5% reduction in 30-day consumption rates among younger adults (MiPHY survey data in 2013-14) Long Term-10% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP data 2015) and 5% reduction in 30-day use among younger adults (MiPHY survey data 2015-16)

Beginning in May, the Sheriff’s Office began conducting enforcement zones within the county to combat

the use of alcohol amongst minors and parents who host. High visibility patrols were scheduled for

Deputies to check on graduation parties, known party locations (from data over previous years), Silent

Observer tips and information from the school districts. Deputies checked multiple parties and

campgrounds. A total of 36 citations for Minors In Possession (MIP) and 4 citations for parents hosting

under-age drinking parties were issued in 2011 as a result of these efforts from May-September. Of the

36 minors, two were under the age of 16 and referred to the diversion program through the Circuit

Court. In 2012 16 MIP citations were issued. Of these violations, five youth were under the age of 16

and were referred to the diversion program at Circuit Court. A total of 30 hours were spent on patrols.

The Sheriff’s Office has been able to spend more valuable time checking party locations and investigating leads with funds provided through the MSSAC grant. On weekends throughout the summer, many of these leads would have gone unfounded due to time spent on high priority incidences. Funding has allowed offices to concentrate their entire scheduled shift on MIP Patrol efforts.

Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Checks Year-End Report

Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office- Lt. Chad Palmiter

4

36

21

16

5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Parent Citation M.I.P. Diversion Referral

2011

2012

Newaygo County

Sheriff’s Office

Party Patrol

Results


Alcohol Compliance: The Sheriff’s Office, along with an underage decoy, conducted alcohol compliance

checks on 69 Newaygo County vendors in 2011. The four vendors who were issued citations for selling

to a minor were rechecked in 2012 with 100% compliance.

Evaluation Measures: Immediate- No repeat sales to underage youth during the 2012 re-checks to vendors that sold in 2010 There were no repeat sales among vendors who were non-compliant in the 2010 alcohol compliance checks Intermediate-5% reduction in vendors that were compliant from 2010 baseline checks (2013 checks) Long Term-10% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP data 2015) and 5% reduction in 30-day use among younger adults (MiPHY survey data 2015-16)

Tobacco Compliance: In 2011, the three tobacco vendors who were previously non-compliant in 2010

were rechecked with 100% compliance. The Sheriff’s Office completed checks on 47 tobacco vendors in

Newaygo County in 2012. Five establishments were found non-compliant and issued citations.

Evaluation Measures: Immediate- no repeat sales to underage youth in re-checks among tobacco vendors that sold in 2010 (re-checks in 2011) There were no repeat sales among vendors who were non-compliance in the 2010 tobacco compliance checks Intermediate- Continue low rate of sale among tobacco vendors (under 8% in 2011-12 checks) 9.4% of tobacco vendors sold to a minor in the 2012 tobacco compliance checks Long Term- Reduction in Tobacco related death in Newaygo County by 10% (Tobacco related death report) 5% reduction in 30 day use among Newaygo County Seniors (MiPHY survey 2016-17)

SYSTEM OUTCOMES

Membership/ Affiliate Attendance: During the 2011-12 fiscal year, 55 MOUs were signed, including 30

youth. Attendance records for monthly meetings and trainings are kept on file with the Coordinator.

Regular attendance at monthly meetings averaged 16 individuals. Agendas were emailed to SSAPA

members with meeting reminders. Meeting minutes and Coordinator’s Reports were uploaded to the

SSAPA website for those who could not attend. In addition, Coordinator’s reports were emailed to

school staff to share with their networks.

System alignment achievements:

The Newaygo County SSAPA works continuously towards aligning prevention systems. Currently, the

Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office is working to refer all juveniles, ages 16 and under, ticketed with an

MIP (Minor In Possession) to the Newaygo County Courts Diversionary Programs. The Newaygo County

Courts and the Arbor Circle Counseling Agency are continually working on a best plan for referral of the

students in their Diversionary Programs or Prevention Groups to move to a higher level of care, if

needed, to an agency in Newaygo County that best fits the students’ needs. These referrals are viewed

as one-on-one counseling services that may be provided by our Newaygo County Community Mental

Health provider, the Arbor Circle Counseling Agency, or The Farm Where Living Things Grow. SSAPA is

committed to furthering Newaygo County’s prevention system through the alignment of current

services.


AFFILIATE EVALUATION

On June 5th, 2012 the Executive Council reviewed the Mid South Prevention Department’s Coalition

Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric completed in 2011. The results below indicate strengths of the affiliate’s

effectiveness as well as improvements in 2012 (indicated in blue)

Areas of strength indicated by a ‘high’ rating:

Local Focus – a comprehensive needs assessment is conducted and targets problems based on

these priorities AND funding is pursued based on local priorities

Knowledge Transfer- Most coalition members have a thorough understanding of effective

evidence-based prevention programs, policies, and practices

Collaboration – the coalition meets regularly to monitor prevention programs and activities,

plan future strategies to evaluate the current prevention system and its service array based on

identified needs

Member Participation and Turnover – members have broad-based community representation

and most have been active two or more years. Special efforts are made to recruit, retain, and

recognize member contribution

Formalization – meets regularly with leadership for planning purposes, has a comprehensive

work plan, by-laws, budget, project staff, AND is action oriented, focused, and purposeful in all

meetings

Resources – multiple sources of funding are provided via direct and in-kind sources have been

used for two or more years

Communication – regular, systematic, and ongoing communication methods are used to keep

members informed (minutes, email, updates, newsletters, website, etc)

Organizational Structure – two or more subcommittees with five or more members addressing

specific coalition goals and objectives

Common Vision/Mission – the coalition has adopted a vision/mission statements that is heavily

promoted on coalition documents and produces and regularly reviews and revisits it to guide

decisions and priorities

Conflict Resolution – conflict and tension emerges occasionally, but is resolved in creative,

productive ways that make the organization healthier

Domination – multiple groups or organizations have input and carry out the work

Strategic Planning Process – a systematic, transparent, and inclusive process of conducting

needs assessment, reviewing priorities, and developing programs and strategies with

established mechanisms to evaluate outcomes is incorporated into a formal plan presented to

the community

Comprehensive Plan – a comprehensive plan that includes the use of data-driven logic models is

developed and formally adopted by the coalition and community

Research-based Programs, Policies and Practices – programs, policies, and practices sponsored

or supported by the coalition are research-based and have been proven effective for the target

population


IOM Classification – programs sponsored by the coalition are primarily focused on the universal

population with selected focus when appropriate

Results Oriented – places high value and appropriate resources on evaluation as a way to

demonstrate progress and effectiveness. Use evaluation results for leveraging resources and

partnerships

Coalition Process Outcome Evaluation – annually collects information regarding pre-determined

process outcomes and reviews impact in Evaluation Report (such as new partnerships, funding,

grant proposals written, policy changes, etc)

Community Impact Evaluation – community level data is collected and widely used for internal

purposes as well as engaging the community through key indicators, indicator documents, and

to review outcomes, goals and achievements

Program Evaluation – programs supported by the coalition are evaluated using process and

behavioral outcome data to speak to the effectiveness of the program

Program Outcome Evaluation – program outcome data is collected and shared with coalition

and program staff. Program changes and additional recommendations are made as a result of

this data

Structure/Organization – the coalition has direct oversight of prevention programs and

activities. Significant amounts of the coalition meeting time are used to discuss and monitor

major prevention activities

Communication – coalition members are highly knowledgeable of prevention programs and

activities, and actively involved I supporting them, making referrals, and identify additional

resources as needed

Areas of weakness indicated by a “low” rating in 2011 and reviewed in 2012:

Broad-based representation – the coalition has one or two organizations or groups addressing

the ATOD problem: moved to a ‘high’ rating in 2012, as the SSAPA has representation from

minority groups in Newaygo County

Community Engagement – the community rarely hears about coalition programs and activities:

moved to a ‘medium’ rating in 2012, as SSAPA information is shared weekly on Facebook,

monthly on the website, monthly with school personnel and their networks and quarterly in

local newspaper articles

Leadership – little or no participation or commitment from a high profile community leader:

moved to a ‘medium-high’ rating in 2012 as at least one high profile community leader

participates as a member of SSAPA, and additional leaders know about and advocate for

SSAPA activities and issues

The rubric was shared with SSAPA members at the June 2012 meeting, and a Roll Call Vote was held at

the July 2012 SSAPA meeting for submission with the 2012-2013 Implementation Plan.

IDENTIFIED NEXT STEPS

Plans for Evaluation


The Suicide & Substance Abuse Prevention Affiliate plans to exemplify a standard when pertaining to

suicide and substance abuse prevention for the residents of Newaygo County. In order to set this

precedence, a precise evaluation plan is needed to ensure that Newaygo County has exemplary

programs, policies, and practices. The following is a list of the measures that must be taken in order for

needed change and accountability of programs:

Logic Model Evaluation measures that are data driven, reliable, valid and measurable over time

Agencies receiving funding will report monthly to fellow affiliate members with up-dates on

programming, number of population served, outcomes, and barriers

Agencies receiving funding will report quarterly to CEI with up-dates on progress, barriers,

numbers served, and outcomes of programming

Agencies receiving funding will provide a year-end outcome report to the Coordinator and will

share that report with the Affiliate members. This report will include: a brief overview of

program, process outcomes such as major successes and achievements, behavioral outcomes

from the programming, data to support the program including the number served, the final cost

of the program per resident, and the barriers encountered

Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, as the Fiduciary Agent, will provide a

year-end outcome Evaluation report including: County overview, funding streams, process

outcomes, behavioral outcomes, system outcomes, coalition evaluation report, barriers

encountered and future plans

The SSAPA members are also expected to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the affiliate

as well as opportunities to move the affiliate forward

Affiliate’s next steps in achieving sustainability of Newaygo County’s Prevention system

To provide a complete substance abuse prevention force in Newaygo County the SSAPA must look to

additional funding streams supplemental to CEI’s generous funding. Suicide and Substance Abuse

Prevention is vital to providing caring and contributing citizens in this community. The affiliate will stay

committed to providing exceptional programs, practices, and policies to promote a sustainable

prevention system. The SSAPA plans to identify additional grant funding sources that align with its

programs, practices, and policies in accordance with the SSAPA strategic plan to seek additional funding

for in the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and beyond. The Executive Council will review scores from the Drug

Free Communities Grant submitted in March 2012 and re-submit in 2013. Affiliate members have also

expressed interest and a need for a grant to obtain suicide prevention services for county populations

aged 25+.

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