Lead & Seed Drug Prevention Program
“Lead and Seed” is a youth empowered, environmental approach to preventing and reducing alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in a community.
The 2-day, (12 hour), Lead & Seed program training is provided at a local site in the community by a national, expert, Alutiiq trainer. The training is followed by a community action phase to address the local community problems. Best practice strategies are tracked in a Logic Model, (blueprint) and Action Plans developed during that training. A maximum of 24 participants attend the curriculum training. At least half of the attendees must be youth leaders from middle and/or high school, with the remaining participants being adults who support the youth efforts; teachers, guidance counselors, parents, faith community, civic organizations, prevention specialists and other professionals.
Phase I, (LEAD), is the “Instructional Phase” when the 2-day, 12 hour training is delivered. The training affects “individual change,” in an effort to fix and change individual adolescent knowledge, attitude and skills. It is during this 2 day instruction that youth leaders and the adults who support them, explore the specific causes and solutions for underage drinking, teen tobacco use or illicit drugs in their community. The trained team at the Seed Site will select strategies and activities that they believe will work where they live, work and play.. Their selected activities are based on their Theory of Change applied to the demographics and factors of their specific area.. Their selected activities will yield environmental outcomes and will make changes in local policy, practice and procedures.
Phase II, (SEED), occurs during the months following the training. This is the Community Action Phase. During that time period, the action plans and strategies developed during the Lead & Seed training are implemented. The program configuration of conducting the “training first” and “then implementing” the plans, is effective because participants are provided with the “tools” they need to localize, and take charge of, their own efforts and outcomes. Phase II begins the process of “population-level” change. The adult role is to support and assist the youth leaders in attaining their goals.
Vision
The Lead & Seed vision is a community whereby adults enforce anti-drug policies, procedures and laws, support drug-free choices for minors and empower youth with the leadership, efficacy, advocacy, empowerment and environmental skills that enable them to lead healthy, productive and drug-free lifestyles.
Mission
The mission of Lead & Seed is to reduce and prevent underage alcohol consumption, teen tobacco use and illicit drug use at the individual and population level by empowering youth and adults with the knowledge and strategies they need to build human, technical and financial capacities, build leadership skills, and use print, broadcast and electronic media effectively.
Theory of Change
Goal
Lead & Seed follows the 5-step SAMHSA’s, (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration), Strategic Prevention Framework planning process. The goal is to prevent and reduce underage alcohol consumption and consequences, teen tobacco use and illicit drug use.
Objectives
- Build human, technical and financial capacities
- Change policies, practices and procedures
- Utilize print, broadcast and electronic media
- Cultivate advocacy skills
- Build leadership, efficacy and environmental skills
Assessments
Pre/Post/Follow Up Tests and Surveys for:
- Program Knowledge Assessment
- National Outcome Measures
- Attitude Toward Use
- Adult Survey
- Youth Efficacy Survey
- Youth Environmental Survey
- Youth Leadership Survey
Outcomes
In an 18-month research and evaluation funded by SAMHSA by Dr. Pamela Susan Imm, of 22 Lead an Seed Sites from urban, suburban and rural areas, the average Post Knowledge Assessment was 96% with significant reductions in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Significant increases occurred in youth leadership, environmental skills, empowerment, decision making, connectivity to youth and adults, advocacy, strategic planning and additional areas.
To learn more about our Lead and Seed Program contact
Nora L. Drexler, M.Ed, Lead & Seed Curriculum Program Developer, Project Manager
Phone: 703.399.1825
Email: ndrexler@alutiiq.com
† Replace " at " with @ for a working email address
