Goals for Session KEEPING KIDS SAFE Injury Violence Prevention in

Goals for Session KEEPING KIDS SAFE: Injury & Violence Prevention in Schools Presenters: Annie Merritt, MSOD Department of Health  Identify injury and violence prevention strategies used when working with schools.  Identify resources available to implement injury and violence prevention programs in schools.  Understand a comprehensive socialecological model as applied to coordinated school health and injury/violence prevention strategies. Why is Injury & Violence Prevention Important?  Injuries are the leading cause of death for Social-Ecological Framework as it relates to Schools  Various levels of influence and impact  Multi-faceted, multi-level work is most children over the age of 1 – 856 lives lost between 2002 - 2006.  Adolescents between 15 – 17 are at higher risk of an injury-related death – 395 of the 856.  Male children are at higher risk of an injuryrelated death than females.  INJURIES ARE PREVENTABLE! effective  Something for everyone  Doesn’t have to be overwhelming at any one level 1 Injury Prevention Across the SocialEcological Framework Prevention with the Individual as the Target of Influence Societal/ Community/ Relationship/ District School Bldg. Teachers/ Peers Individual/ Student Societal/ District Community/ School Bldg. Relationship/ Teachers/ Peers Individual/ Student Prevention with the Individual as the Target of Influence – Suicide Prevention  Classroom instruction – curriculum  Example – H.E.L.P. Suicide Prevention Health Prevention with the Individual as the Target of Influence – Bicycle Safety  Classroom lessons include:       Curriculum       7th and 9th grade 4 sessions Taught by Health Teachers Coping, stress, help-seeking and help-giving strategies, resources Staff/teacher orientation Meets Classroom Based Assessments for 9th grade rules of the road helmet fitting flat tire repair bike equipment bike safety check video of bike safety  On-bike lessons include:        bike handling skills hazard avoidance right-of-way lane positioning intersection practice basic repair one or two community rides  Helmet Loaner or Give-away Program 2 Prevention with Those in a Relationship with the Individual as the Target of Influence Prevention with Those in a Relationship with the Individual as the Target of Influence – Suicide Prevention  H.E.L.P. Curriculum Societal/ District Community/ School Bldg. Relationship/ Teachers/ Peers Individual/ Student School Personnel Training Peers learn how to show support to friends in need of help  Peers know resources in schools and community where they can turn to for help for their friends  Information for parents/guardians   Prevention with Those in a Relationship with the Individual as the Target of Influence – Bicycle Safety  Bike Safety  Prevention with the Community or School as the Target of Influence Staff Training Buddy system promoted for riding to/from school Information for parents/guardians  Societal/ District Community/ School Bldg.  Relationship/ Teachers/ Peers Individual/ Student 3 Prevention with the Community/School as the Target of Influence – Suicide Prevention  H.E.L.P. curriculum is incorporated into school health      Prevention with the Community/School as the Target of Influence – Bicycle Safety  School policy requires use of helmets to ride bike to classes School posts resource numbers and suicide prevention messages throughout school School has yearly awareness campaign School incorporates suicide prevention and intervention strategies in crisis plans School promotes help-giving and help-seeking behavior from students and staff In-service suicide prevention training is provided at least yearly school  Adequate bike racks; locks provided free or at low cost; I.D. tags given out  Safety checks by adults when students are coming and leaving school grounds  Permission slips from parents/guardians for student to ride to school  School promotes bike riding as part of school day (e.g. physical education, class time)  School has loaner bikes so everyone can participate  School develops a partnership with the local bike club Prevention with the District or Society as the Target of Influence Prevention with the District or Society as the Target of Influence – Suicide Prevention  District adopts H.E.L.P. curriculum  District includes suicide prevention and intervention strategies in crisis plans  District supports annual training for all school personnel on suicide prevention Societal/ District Community/ School Bldg. Relationship/ Teachers/ Peers Individual/ Student  District supports school based health centers that have a mental health component/service  District allocates or acquires resources for mental health services  District has strong anti-bullying and healthy relationship policies and practices 4 Prevention with the District or Society as the Target of Influence – Bicycle Safety  District works with city or county public works to INJURIES ARE PREVENTABLE!  Comprehensive, multi-level approaches work assure safe routes to school/bike lanes are available or planned for inclusion in road development  District policy includes requirement for safe biking education and helmet use  District promotes Bike to School Day(s) – managers and school board members participate and are active in promotion  District provides adequate resources for bike racks and security for equipment; personnel or volunteers to assure safety best  Strategies have been tested and shown to work  School/Community partnerships maximize resources and share expertise – this is a critical component to prevention. Injury and Violence Prevention Symposium QUESTIONS/COMMENTS June 10, 2008 Washington State Legislative Building 1:30- 3:00 pm Register @ Annie.merritt@doh.wa.gov 5 Contacts  Annie Merritt – Injury Prevention Specialist Resources  Washington State Department of Health – Injury & Violence Prevention 360-236-2860 annie.merritt@doh.wa.gov  Debbie Ruggles – Violence Prevention Program www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/emstrauma/injury  Youth Suicide Prevention Program www.yspp.org or 206-297-5922  Washington Bicycle Clubs http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_WebPages/BikeClubsWashington.html  Safe Kids USA - Washington Specialist 360-236-2859 debbie.ruggles@doh.wa.gov http://www.usa.safekids.org/state_display.cfm  Washington State Traffic Safety Commission http://www.wtsc.wa.gov/programs/walkbike.php 6