Innovative Substance Misuse Prevention Program in Brevard Schools

Drug Diversion School-Based Program

Drug Diversion School-Based Program Offered to students for first-time drug possession/use (including vaping) or alcohol possession/use on Brevard Public Schools' grounds An 8-week alternative to placement at an Alternative Learning Center Students allowed to remain in their enrolled school setting while they complete the program during scheduled afterschool/evening hours Facilitated by:

Drug Diversion School-Based Program STEP 01: SCHOOL MEETING STEP 02: STUDENT INTAKE STEP 03: GROUP COUNSELING STEP 04: PROJECT STEP 05: FAMILY COUNSELING & DRUG TEST

BETTER WITHOUT IT PROJECT SAMPLE 1: VISUAL ART OBJECTIVE To provide opportunities for students to visually represent individualized risk and protective factors related to substance misuse prevention via the content creation process. FACILITATORS Facilitators: substance misuse counselors/substance misuse professionals, or art therapist (if applicable). APPROACH Brevard Prevention Coalition provides the Better Without It creative prompt, an evaluation rubric, and natural incentive(s), as applicable (completing the program, etc.) Students are asked to produce a concept that creatively illustrates one or more key prevention messages as it relates to the Objective. Content that meets the guidelines provided by the rubric are approved by the Facilitators

BETTER WITHOUT IT PROJECT SAMPLE 2: LEVEL UP YOUR SKILLS OBJECTIVE To teach substance use prevention principles in a way that also reinforces the benefits of focusing on a positive or beneficial skill (vocational, recreational, etc.). FACILITATORS Facilitators: substance misuse counselors/substance misuse professionals, or art therapist (if applicable). APPROACH Nurture a passion for building positive skills through gamification principles as an internal way to counteract unhealthy coping mechanisms Embrace the style of RPGs (role-playing games) in teaching techniques to encourage resilience while attempting to progress in the skill Provide a positive focus and highlight the benefits of the process and the skill as a healthy alternative juxtaposed to substance misuse

Drug Diversion School-Based Program Referred: 304 Current active enrollment: 82 Completed: 222 - Successful completions: 184 - Unsuccessful completions: 38 Unsuccessful completions: - Drug related: 19 - Other: 19 - Total: 38 Alternative Learning Centers - NALC: 10 - SALC: 13 Success Rate Drug Expulsion: 91% Success Rate: 83%

PROPOSED ADD-ON Objective: To continue the positive youth development of students who have successfully completed the diversion program by engaging them in substance misuse prevention advocacy. Some components could include: Youth-Driven Substance Misuse Prevention Advocacy Youth peer support Mentorships, apprenticeships and/or internships Vocational workshops Additional educational opportunities

2024-2025 Drug Diversion School-Based Considerations Enforce a restriction of students possessing a medical marijuana card. A negative drug test is a requirement of the stipulation conduct agreement. Permit exclusively the inclusion of THC-containing compounds only. Alcohol would also remain under the program.

Increased Budget Request FY24 Program Budget: $150,000 Proposed FY25 Budget: $175,000 Justification Summary: Original budget based on two (2) full-time staff at $75,000 to cover groups, but four (4) staff members and independent contracting was needed to meet the demand (approximately 300 students) There are two (2) locations, and to keep the therapeutic fidelity and acceptable Florida state guidelines for group sizes, (2) two groups need to occur simultaneously, requiring two therapist per location. Intakes occur throughout the week and required more qualified staffing (intakes for group counseling services require a clinical intake specialist). The Youth Empowerment Leadership Component would not increase costs.

Current Budget Breakdown Program Tasks & Responsibilities Hours/Month Rate Monthly Total Clinical Supervision; Clinical Ops HR/Ops Billing and Finance North Admin/Intake Scheduler Counselor 1 (CAP) - Admin/Groups/Intakes/Discharges Counselor 2 (CAP Intern): South Intakes /Scheduling, North Group Co-Leader 15 8 10 24 170 80 $36.06 $30.29 $26.25 $26.43 $30.00 $23.08 Total $540.90 $242.32 $262.50 $634.32 $5,100.00 $1,846.40 $8,626.44 Behavioral Support worker for South Group North Location Intake Specialist Counselor 3 (LCSW): Groups/Intakes South Location Intake Specialist BWI Project Facilitator: South Groups Counselor 4: South Groups 16 47 20 16 16 18 $15.50 $27.50 $27.90 $125.00 $30.00 $34.77 Total $248.00 $1,292.50 $558.00 $2,000.00 $480.00 $625.86 $5,204.36 Monthly Total $200.00 $615.75 $75.00 $225.00 $770.00 $1,885.75 Supplies and materials Office lease - $2,463/mo for Melb office (1/4 allocated for BWI) Cleaning service - $300/mo for Melb office. (1/4 allocated for BWI) Liability Insurance - $1800 x 0.125 (1/8th of all services) EMR System - Cost per student/per month $11 x 70 (Census Avg) n/a 80 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Total TOTAL $15,716.55

Testimonial Writing this gave me an opportunity to reflect on our experience and the road traveled. I am grateful for you and the work that you are doing in our community and the lives you touch. Thank you for being you. You make the world a better place . I believe that the Better Without It program is a sensible and necessary initiative offered to students who meet the criteria. Looking back, I honestly think that if it were not for the Better Without It program, my daughter could well be in a very different place today. My daughter made a mistake, and while I am a huge believer in accountability, I also believe that we must make decisions based [on] the big picture, particularly when they affect the trajectory of a young person s life. (High School - parent)

Alternative Learning Center (ALC) YTD North/Central Learning Center: 358 South Area Learning Center: 265 Current NALC: 222 - Elementary: 22 - Middle School: 99 (class size 17) - High School: 101 (class size 17) *5 days a week (class size 34)* SALC: 129 - Elementary: 13 - Middle School: 61 (class size 10) - High School: 55 (class size 9) *5 days a week (class size 19)*

Drug Diversion School-Based Program In partnership with: Facilitated by: