School Community Action Teams

WNY United enters into long-term partnerships (minimum of three years) with schools and communities where significant risk factors for substance abuse are present. After agreements are signed between WNY United and the school, a team made up of teachers, parents, administrators, students, and other concerned community members comes together under the guidance of a trained WNY United Prevention Specialist. This School Community Action Team (SCAT) is trained to develop and implement a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program and to foster the development of healthy, capable young people. SCATs identify and maximize resources and ensure that adequate training, materials, and services are available. They have access to all WNY United programming, including some prevention opportunities designed exclusively for them.

For more information, contact Linda Flowers, CPP   ext. 315 , or Beth Anzalone, CPP   ext. 317

Achievement Mentor Program

Because, early academic failure is a significant risk factor linked to substance abuse, WNY United provides its "Achievement Mentor Program" to United Way "Closing the Gap" Buffalo Public Schools. Likely students candidates are referred to the program after significant academic difficulties and/or behavior or attendance problems are observed. WNY United "achievement mentors" go to the classrooms of these students and help to keep the students on task and answer questions throughout their lessons. Students who continue to struggle are removed for individual or small group instruction. In some cases, the students report to their achievement mentor during their lunch period and continue to work while eating. While working on academics, trust is built with the students that allow the staff to also provide mentoring services.

For more information, contact Tammy Regnet   ext. 321

Building Skills Curriculum for Grades 5-6

The WNY United "Building Skills" program is a comprehensive primary prevention curriculum for the development of social and life skills in fifth and sixth graders. Through games, hands-on activites, worksheets, and discussions, the program addresses the issues and pressures which students face on a daily basis. It recognizes that decisions are most difficult when they involve peers. The objective of the program is to provide the information, skills, and support that young people need to make healthy choices. Over the course of twelve sessions with WNY United's skilled facilitators in fifth grade and eight additional lessons in sixth grade, participating students are exposed to such topics as Self- Control, Stress Management, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Team Building, and Effective Communication Techniques. Students also practice Decision Making, Friendship Making, Assertiveness and how to resist negative peer pressure and avoid dangerous situations.  The curriculum uses a reliable evaluation method of pre and post testing both experimental and control group students.   Results of this evaluation have been very positive.

For more information, contact Beth Anzalone, CPP   ext. 317 , or Timothy Smykowski   ext. 311

Citizens of the Month

Students who believe that they live in a community where people care about them and positively reward their good deeds are at a decreased risk for engaging in negative behaviors like using alcohol, tobacco, or other dangerous drugs.  To build these feelings of connection to school and community, WNY United's "Citizens of the Month" campaign provides positive recognition to students for demonstrating politeness, courtesy, kindness, and responsibility and for completing public service projects.  Students in grades seven and eight in selected WNY United SCAT locations are eligible.  Each month, from October through April, winners are chosen at each participating school.  All winners are photographed at their schools and a framed 8" x 10" copy of that photo is prominently displayed somewhere in the building.  In addition, a story congratulating the winners appears in the local newspaper of each winning student along with their photographs.  In late spring, all winners are invited to attend a special dinner held in their honor.

For more information, contact Kathleen Deet   ext. 310

Leaders in Training

The Leaders In Training (LIT) program is a leadership, and life skill development program for active WNY United School Community Action Team locations.  Students begin LIT at the end of sixth grade and finish in eighth grade. Over the course of two-plus years, they participate in conferences, retreats,  summer program, and many regular activities in their respective schools. They receive numerous life skill-building experiences, complete community service projects, and attend educational field trips. At the end of eighth grade, the LIT students find themselves in a position where they can be active agents for change and positively impact their peers and younger children.

For more information, contact Beth Anzalone, CPP   ext. 317 , or Timothy Smykowski   ext. 311

Parent Awareness Forums

A growing number of schools in the Western New York region are mandating attendance by parents at alcohol/drug training sessions in order for students to attend senior prom and other school dances. Typically, these trainings are 90 minutes in length and cover legal issues, current trends in substance abuse, paraphernalia and other warning signs, and information to help parents communicate with their children. In most districts, only one parent or guardian needs to attend one forum and then all of the students of the household are eligible to attend dances for a period of four years. The rules regarding the mandates and the exact material covered varies from school to school. WNY United, the Erie County Sheriff's Department, and the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse assist schools in the planning and implementation of these forums and can also provide packets of materials and staff to present at these forums. For more information, contact Karen Smith at 821-7722, ext. 316 or ksmith@wnyunited.org.

For more information, contact Karen Smith   ext. 316

Project ALERT

A drug prevention curriculum for middle school students that has been proven to dramatically reduce both the onset and regular use of substances, among youth is Project Alert. The program focuses on substances that adolescents typically use first and most widely: alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and inhalants. Project ALERT uses participatory activities and videos to help students establish non-drug norms, develop reasons not to use and resist pro-drug pressures. Guided classroom discussions and small group activities stimulate peer interaction and challenge students while intensive role playing encourages students to practice and master resistance skills. Parent involved homework assignments extend the learning process. Project ALERT has been highly effective with 11-14 year old middle school adolescents from widely divergent backgrounds and communities. It has been successful with high and low risk youth from urban, suburban and rural communities regardless of socio-economic levels or ethnicity.

For more information, contact Linda Flowers, CPP   ext. 315