The Right Path for Washington County: A Report to the Community What if you were given the opportunity to improve the lives of young people in Washington County through a process based on rigorous scientific research and proven successful in hundreds of communities across the nation? That is exactly what has happened, thanks to a three-year federal grant to the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (MHAR) Board. Under the able leadership of MHAR Board director Ron Rees, Judge Tim Williams, and Family & Children First Council director Cindy Davis, the Communities that CareŽ prevention planning system has allowed us to create a unique profile of the protective factors that buffer our youth and the risk factors that expose them to a greater likelihood of problem behaviors such as substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, and violence.
In late fall of 2003, the Communities that CareŽ Youth Survey was administered to 2118 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, 88.1 percent of those enrolled in Washington County Schools, to measure the level of risk and protection to our youth. Based on archival data and the Youth Survey results, "The Right Path for Washington County" (the working board of the Communities that CareŽ process) has identified the highest and lowest risk and protective factors for youth in Washington County.
The greatest protection for our youth: Belief in the Moral Order. This scale measured the extent of our youth's motivation to follow society's standards and expectations. This was the highest protective factor across all three grades, with an average score of 69, 19 points higher than the normative average of 50. Social Skills. This scale measured how adept our youth are in their interactions with others. This protective factor ranked second highest with an average score of 63. The least protection for our youth: School Rewards for Prosocial Involvement. This scale measured how appreciated and awarded youth feel for their positive involvement in school. Though the average score of 56 was greater than the normative average, this was the lowest overall protective factor reported by Washington County students. Community Rewards for Prosocial Involvement. This scale measured young people's perceptions of how their community recognizes and appreciates them. With an average score of 57, this was the second lowest overall protective factor. The greatest risk to our youth: Poor Academic Performance. Beginning in late elementary grades, when students are reading to learn instead of learning to read, poor academic performance increases the future risk of substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, and violence. With an average score of 52, this was the highest risk factor reported by Washington County students. Community Disorganization/Low Neighborhood Attachment. This risk factor pertains to young people's perceptions of the communities in which they live, in terms of appearance, safety, and a sense of attachment. With an average score of 51, this was the second highest risk factor. The least risk to our youth: Perceived Availability of Drugs and Handguns. This scale assessed students feelings about how easily they can get alcohol, other drugs, or handguns. With an average score of 24, this was the lowest risk factor reported by Washington County students. Low Perceived Risks of Drug Use. This scale measured the perception of harm from drug use, both regular use and experimentation. With an average score of 29, this was the second lowest risk factor. The risk factors Poor Academic Performance and Community Disorganization/Low Neighborhood Attachment were chosen by The Right Path as priorities on which to focus the plan of action. The next steps are to assess current resources that address these two priority risk factors, identify gaps in services, and choose evidence-based programs and practices that have proven to be successful. The Right Path is comprised of representatives from a cross-section of our county- including parents, youth, law enforcement, courts, clergy, schools, colleges, health organizations, social service agencies, civic groups, local government, and businesses. This coalition will live beyond the life of the grant to improve the lives of our young people; it is different from anything we have ever attempted in that it makes prevention the responsibility of the entire county instead of selected entities, it allows us to implement programs and practices based on scientific evidence instead of availability or affordability, and it makes our county much more likely to qualify for additional funding. It will take the help and support of everyone and there is something everyone can do build protection and reduce risk to our youth. For more information or to see how you can become involved in The Right Path for Washington County, contact Ron Rees or Miriam Keith at 374-6990.