The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46252

Robert Apsler, PhD¹, Beth Fraster, LICSW², and Scott W. Formica, BA¹. (1) Social Science Research & Evaluation, Inc., 21-C Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA 01803, (2) CASPAR Youth Services, Inc., 162 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143

Student assistance programs for preventing illegal drug use among youth are a promising alternative to classroom-based models employing regular teachers for delivery. Positive findings from a randomized trial evaluation of CASPAR Youth Service’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) further support this model. The SAP is a multi-component, school-wide approach to prevention. The primary intervention consists of trained counselors meeting regularly facilitating psycho-educational groups in small group settings. Additional program components include classroom based health education for all students (which serve the dual purpose of de-stigmatizing the program and helping to identify at-risk youth), and individual counseling services, as needed. This model responds to differences among youth in their needs for support in developing protective factors, creates a caring and trusting environment, and addresses a broad range of problem behaviors. To test the SAP, 240 students in grades 6 and 7 in six schools were randomly assigned to either treatment or control conditions. When tested five months after the conclusion of the program’s first year, treatment students scored significantly higher than controls on 7 of 14 scales and several individual items. Overall, the highly consistent results strongly support the SAP model.

Learning Objectives:

• 2. Describe the CASPAR student assistance program for middle school students.
  5. Describe the challenges of implementing a randomized control design in a school setting.
  8. Assess the effectiveness of the program in comparison to control students.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CASPAR Youth Services, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Evaluation sub-contract