Safe and Drug Free Schools

Site-Based Consultation & Training

A primary duty of the Safe and Drug Free Schools youth development specialists is to provide consultation and training services for ASD schools and related community groups, agencies and organizations. The following are typical areas in which the "specialists" provide consultation and training for ASD schools and the Anchorage community.

Click here for a list of our specialists and their school assignments

1. Consultation for the Safe and Drug Free School Mini-grants

The SDFS program provides mini-grants to all schools who complete successful mini-grant applications. The mini- grants range in amounts from $2,000 at the elementary level, to $2,500 at the middle school and $3,000 at the high school levels.

Mini-grant application must meet the guidelines established by the federal government's "principles of effectiveness." The "specialists" provide consultation in grant writing and school program and resource development based on promising and proven programs and practices. Applying schools must submit applications via an on-line data port system. This application process requires schools to submit their needs assessment based on objective data, goals, measurable objectives, activities, budgets and evaluation plans. Consultation for the above activities is provided in large group settings and individual school sessions as needed. Also, the “specialists” convene quarterly collaborative sessions during the school year for grantees to share concerns, trouble shoot, and to celebrate successes.

2. Consultation for the Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement (Alaska ICE)

In 2001-02 the SDFS program applied for and received grant monies through the auspices of the Alaska School Board Association. The main goal of these monies is to help school communities develop intentional and sustainable strategies for building the Developmental Assets associated with academic success. Over 20 schools applied for these special monies. Six schools were chosen based on a competitive application process and an already established history of asset building practices and programs at their schools. The hope is that this focused asset development effort will serve as a model for other schools both locally and nationally. The SDFS “specialists” are consultants to these schools. Meetings are convened each month with the grant coordinators and other members of the school teams to collaborate and consult regarding program development. Also, the specialists attend school based core-team meetings providing input and encouragement for the various efforts undertaken at the individual school sites. The SDFS “specialists” are involved in all phases of program, budget development and evaluation with these six schools

3. Consultation with Community Groups, Agencies and Organizations

Specialists are also involved with a variety of community groups and agencies. On an as needed basis, specialists provide consultation and collaboration regarding prevention activities, prevention strategies, program planning for community wide prevention and youth development initiatives.

The following are examples of consultations and collaborations with various groups: media literacy training and implementation with the Anchorage Police Department and the State Highway Safety program; collaboration with the APD to implement violence reduction programs called “Aggressors, Victims and Bystanders” and the “Don’t Laugh at Me,” participation in the planning committee for the annual statewide Prevention Symposium sponsored by Akeela Incorporated; Community/School asset development initiatives in collaboration with the Alaska Association of School Boards and the State Division of Adolescent Health; youth intervention and prevention program development and implementation with the Volunteers of America; consultation with the ASD school board regarding drug/alcohol/violence policy and procedures; consultation with the Executive Director of the Alaska School Activities Association regarding athletes’ drug/alcohol use and coach’s training.

4. ASD Teacher/Staff/Principal Trainings

Anchorage School District’s SDFS Program offers several trainings for certificated and non-certificated school staff.

SDFS 101 (Level 1) is a one-day mandatory drug/alcohol Violence curriculum training for new to district certificated staff. Topics include the “developmental asset” framework, school based curriculum, effective classroom practices, enabling and intervention.

SDFS 201 (Level 2) is an advanced training for certificated staff who have already completed level one and desire more in-depth training in drug/alcohol intervention, enabling and the developmental asset framework.

SDFS 102 support staff training is designed for secretaries, teacher assistants, bus drivers, playground monitors maintenance and security. This training is of varying length depending on staff needs and availability. Topics may include the developmental assets framework, enabling and intervention, or other designated topics.

SDFS 401 training for principals is offered via the ASD’s Training and Professional Development’s Principal’s Leadership Series. This principal’s training may include overviews of promising programs and practices, the developmental asset framework and school culture. A special emphasis is placed on prevention theory and practice and its relationship to academic achievement.

Staff Team Building Training: SDFS staff lead school personnel through a variety of trust and team building activities. The goal of this training is to foster administration, teacher and staff cohesiveness, camaraderie and positive relationships. This training can be formatted according to staff availability and need.

5. Parent Trainings

SDFS staff offer a variety of parent trainings on topics which may include: the 40 developmental assets, communication skills, alcohol/drugs and peaceful conflict resolution.

6. Brown Bag Lunch Seminars

SDFS staff offers lunchtime trainings for employees in local businesses, agencies and organizations. These trainings may be similar in scope to the parent trainings. In addition to topics of interest, opportunities for supporting their local schools may be explored.

7. Youth Empowerment Trainings

This training is accomplished in collaboration with interested school staff. The school staff is responsible for organizing an agenda based on identified topics of interest and need. Trainings may range from a few hours to an entire school day for 40- 60 students. Trainings are appropriate for upper elementary to high school aged students. Typical topics may include peer pressure, healthy relationships, self-esteem, cooperation and team building. The training consists of large group activities emphasizing trust and team building, as well as, a variety of 50-minute workshops based on topics of interest. SDFS staff will lead the opening and closing activities large group activities and may conduct one or more of the identified workshops.