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Sabrina Jordan, Morgan State University School of Public Heath/ Kennedy Krieger Institute, Morgan State University, 2901 East Biddle St., Atten: Dr. Belcher, Baltimore, MD 21213, 443-923-5933, jordans@kennedykrieger.org and Harolyn Belcher, MD, Kennedy Krieger Family Center/Johns Hopkins Department of Pediatrics, Kennedy Krieger Insitute, 2901 East Biddle St., Atten: Dr. Belcher, Baltimore, MD 21213.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate improvement of social skills and knowledge of healthy lifestyles following the Second Step and Preventing the Abuse of Tobacco, Narcotics, Drugs, and Alcohol (PANDA) curricula in a Head Start program. Children were evaluated using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), The Joseph Pre-School and Primary Self-Concept Screening Test (JPPST), and the McNally Substance Abuse Prevention Assessment for Pre-School and Primary School Children (MSAPA). The SSRS measures positive social skills and problem behaviors. The JJPST measures the child's self-concept using rating cards. The MSAPA includes three subtests, (1) Drug Awareness, (2) Healthy Food, and (3) Safety Rules. The cohort consisted of 32 children with a mean age 4.6 years (+ 0.7) who completed the SSRS and 15 children with a mean age of 4.0 years (+ 0.4) who completed the MSAPA and JPPST. Descriptive and t-test statistics comparing baseline and program completion mean scores were used to analyze the data. Following the Second Step intervention, significant improvement in mean social skills (t=9.7, p< 0.000; 95% CI, 11.8-7.7) and reduction in mean problem behaviors scores (t=3.7, p < 0.0007; 95% CI, 0.7-2.4) were noted. The mean total MSAPA score (t= 4.6, p<0.0004; 95% CI, 7.6-20.9) demonstrated significant improvements following the PANDA program. There was also a significant improvement in the mean child self-concept score (t= 3.8, p<0.0019, 95% CI, 1.7-6.2). This study demonstrated improvements in mean scores on social skill development, knowledge of healthy life styles, and reduced problem behaviors among pre-school children.

Learning Objectives:

• To assess the effectiveness of the Second Step curriculum in Head Start program.
• To assess the effectiveness of the Preventimg the Abuse, Narcotics, Drugs, and Alcohol (PANDA) curriculum in the Head Start setting.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered