Al Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices

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Al Pals Kids Making Healthy Choices

• Program Presentation to
• Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation
• Presented by Kathy Johnson
• Executive Director
• Alternatives

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Alternatives VisionHealthy, principled, and
creative young people valued as members of the
community.
Creativity
Alternatives Vision
Service
Leadership
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Uniquely Positioned

• Community-based non profit started in 1973
• Currently provide 17 collaborative programs
  children and youth ages 3-18 who reside in
  Hampton and Newport News
• In FY 07/08 Alternatives served over 3000
  children and young people

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Partnership Network

• Not a center based organization, partners
  include
• municipalities,
• school districts,
• Community Services Boards,
• public and private organizations

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Recognized Leader

• Recognized as a leader in the field of youth
  development and youth engagement by
• Search Institute,
• National Service Learning Partnership,
• Center for Youth Development and Policy Research,
  
• Learning Point Associates.

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Why Als Pals

• Als Pals curriculum addresses the need to
  provide young children with intentional
  instruction regarding pro-social skill building.
• Social and Emotional Health complements the
  strategic plan of the Council.

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Alternatives Role

• Alternatives serves as program administrator for
  Als Pals on the Virginia Peninsula
• Applies for and administers VTSF grant funds
• Conducts trainings and site evaluations
• Monitors program fidelity
• Provides program reports to VTSF and stakeholders
  

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693 Children Served for 2008-2009

• 9 SITES
• Hampton
• Cary Elementary
• Downtown Hampton Child Development Center
• Newport News
• Arms of the King
• Children of the Village
• Dresden Drive Preschool
• Eagles Nest
• Garden of Children
• Hidenwood Presbyterian
• In Corettas Care

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Partnerships

• Community, Faith-Based
• and School
• Additional Partners include
• Hampton City Schools
• Keeping Our Kids Safe Council
• Newport News Office on Children, Youth, and
  Families
• Preschool Partners of the Virginia Peninsula
• Smart Beginnings of the Virginia Peninsula

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Completed Pre and Posttests and School
Almost half of all participants (45.2) were
served at the DHCD and 31.5 were served at the
Moton Center.
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Risk level changes from pre and posttest
assessments for social skills composite scores.
Graph indicates that there was statistically
significant decrease in risk levels from pre and
posttest assessments. High risk assessments
decreased 7.6 and moderate risk levels decreased
13.7
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Sustainability

• Als Pals is designed to build the capacity of
  teachers to continue the services beyond the
  grant year.
• Once trained and equipped with curriculum
  materials, staff can implement the Als Pals
  curriculum indefinitely.

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Program expansion

• Funding is being pursued for
• YMCA
• Denbigh Christian Academy

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Question and Answers