Point Break School Intervention Program Reviewed by U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2013 -- After a two-year evaluation process, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has officially included Point Break in the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Inclusion in the NREPP registry means that Point Break has undergone a thorough SAMSHA review and is now listed among other nationally ranked mental health, school, and youth intervention programs.
To complete the review, SAMHSA assigned independent research experts to evaluate the study conducted by Biddle Consulting Group, Inc. regarding Point Break’s effectiveness in changing the attitudes, behaviors, and values (ABVs) of the students who participated in the program. Specifically, the study conducted by Biddle (and subsequently reviewed by SAMHSA) evaluated how effectively Point Break positively impacted the ABVs of high school students in eight key areas:
• Bullying/teasing
• Willingness to reach for help
• Gossiping
• Openness of expression
• Judging others
• Valuing others
• Having empathy towards others
• Having a hopeful life outlook
The results of the study revealed that Point Break effectively changed the students’ ABVs in two of these research dimensions (Gossiping and Empathy), as well as the Overall Score with all eight dimensions combined.
About the research, Dr. Dan Biddle, Ph.D. stated, "Point Break is the first empathy building program, to my knowledge, that has been reviewed by the federal government. Our research showed that the Point Break workshop positively impacted the students’ level of empathy and desire to not participate in gossiping. Lack of empathy is a precursor to bullying behavior. Point Break helps to build community and positive relationships on school campuses."
The 6-hour Point Break school workshop, for middle school and high school students, includes high-energy activities, small groups and motivational speakers to encourage interaction and engagement. The workshop aims to promote resiliency, break down educational and social barriers between youth, and ultimately, reduce campus violence by teaching the value of conflict resolution and respect for others.
The workshop has had a positive impact on both faculty and students alike. After hosting a Point Break workshop for his high school, one New York Principal said, "The feedback from the faculty members is like nothing I’ve heard. I had employees, who have been here 30 years, say it was most valuable day they’ve had in education."
Students are also enthusiastic about the workshop results. One California student shared that, "Point Break has taught me many things. It has taught me that behind every smile there’s an unbelievable story that has made that person who they are now. And teasing or talking about them isn’t gonna make anything better. You’re just causing more hate in yourself and others. Hate isn’t healthy. I’ve had more respect for others since Point Break. Thank you!"
Schools desiring to bring Point Break to their campuses can contract with Point Break to facilitate the workshop or can purchase the Point Break Kit for Schools for an in-house implementation by school staff. The kit includes a training binder, a training DVD, access to online resources and template downloads, and implementation support (via phone or email) by the Point Break team. A follow-up curriculum is available to reinforce the skills learned. Schools also can choose to train and certify one of their staff to become a Point Break coach. Finally, school administrators can purchase the Campus Climate Survey, a standardized assessment of the intervention’s effectiveness at their school.
Point Break is a program run by Campus Life Connection. Gary Fox, Executive Director of Campus Life Connection, explained, "Point Break is a middle and high school intervention program that provides a safe setting for students to communicate to both adult leaders and other students their feelings and experiences – an opportunity that some students may not otherwise have. It helps each participant know they are not alone in their challenges. I have seen hope and optimism restored in young people who came to the workshop with feelings of fear and loneliness. The workshop promotes a healthy community on the school campus."
Gary Fox, Point Break Workshops for Schools, http://www.pointbreakonline.org, (916)813-5710, [email protected]
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