Our mission is to unite the Anderson Valley community in efforts that promote community health through grassroots organizing to reduce the presence of drugs in the community and prevent youth substance abuse.
About AVCAC: School Programs
The following programs are implemented in our local school district. Did AVCAC help research them? Did AVCAC recommend them? Illsutrate connection between AVCAC and schools.
- The Second Step curriculum is presented to students K – 6, through weekly class meetings to develop social skills, reduce impulsive and high risk behavior, encourage self regulation, positive goal setting and anger management. Second Step is identified as a model program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an Exemplary Program by the U.S. Department of Education and a Rated A program by Drug Strategies.
- Keep a Clear Mind, a SAMHSA model program for students and parents is presented to students in 4th grade. The program consists of four lessons; alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and tools to resist drugs. Each lessons consists of information, simple questions, identifying ways to say “no” to pressure to use that drug and practicing ways to say “no”. The students take home the packets to share and practice the refusal skills with their parents. 6th graders receive booster lessons to reinforce knowledge and skills plus an additional lesson on methamphetamines and a visit from our local deputy sheriff. The program is presented by high school students and prevention staff over a six week period
- Project Alert, recognized by the following organizations as an exemplary program: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Education, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Prevention Network, National Association of State and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America will be used at the 7th and 8th grade level. This program motivates adolescents against drug use, teaches them the skills and strategies to resist pro-drug pressures, and establishes non-drug-using norms.
- Health Class, covers a number of health issues to assist students in making good decisions including an unit on drugs and the resulting social and health consequences. Guest speakers from the AV Health Center, the county Public Health Division and private practitioners supplement the curriculum.
- G.R.I.P. (Gang Resistance is Paramount), is being implemented in the fifth grade by local Deputy Sheriff, Keith Squires, and Migrant Education Coordinator, Jose Delgado. The program provides information on what gangs are, what it means to belong to a gang and the consequences. It also talks about why young people join gangs and how kids can stay out of gangs. Graffiti, tattoos, impact on the family, drug use, crime, and peer pressure related to gang activity are also discussed. In addition to increasing kids awareness of the consequence of gang involvement, the program encourages kids to participate in positive, healthy alternatives and to focus on their goals and future opportunities
- Olweus Bullying Prevention, A district–wide anti-bullying/harassment program implemented by AVUSD in 2007. The goal of the program is to achieve a safe, supportive environment in which all students can learn and excel. The objectives of this program are to reduce bullying and other forms of harassment through school-wide rules and consequences; to promote respectful interaction between students and staff, staff and staff and student to student; to increase safety and inclusiveness through support to targets, disciplining bullies and helping them find positive ways to meet their needs, and empowering bystanders to stop bullying and harassment.