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Descriptions for Theories of Change
1. Environmental Strategy: "Counter Advertising" Hypothetical Logic Model
The program will lead to changes in perceived norms among children and adolescents regarding tobacco use, such that:
- Fewer children and youth will believe that smoking is "cool" and acceptable behavior, which will lead to less smoking behavior
2. Problem-Identification & Referral Strategy: "Reconnecting Youth" Hypothetical Logic Model
Classes & counseling will enhance self-esteem, social skills, and communication skills. These skills will lead youth to feel better about themselves and this will lead to more positive attitudes towards school. Students will have more motivation for school work and will be less likely to be involved in problem behavior.
[Note that the pathway to improved school performance and ATOD use is indirect, that is, the program is expected to lead to changes in self-esteem and other skills which in turn may lead to improved school outcomes and reduced substance use. Substance abuse issues are not dealt with directly as part of the curriculum]
Social activities will create opportunities for friendships to develop with students not involved with problem behavior, and to develop positive peer role models. These changes in the peer groups of youth will lead them to be less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
3. Educational Strategy: "Reconnecting Youth" Hypothetical Logic Model
Classes & counseling will enhance self-esteem, social skills, and communication skills. These skills will lead youth to feel better about themselves and this will lead to more positive attitudes towards school. Students will have more motivation for school work and will be less likely to be involved in problem behavior.
[Note that the pathway to improved school performance and ATOD use is indirect, that is, the program is expected to lead to changes in self-esteem and other skills which in turn may lead to improved school outcomes and reduced substance use. Substance abuse issues are not dealt with directly as part of the curriculum]
Social activities will create opportunities for friendships to develop with students not involved with problem behavior, and to develop positive peer role models. These changes in the peer groups of youth will lead them to be less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
4. Alternative Activities Strategy: "Across Ages" Hypothetical Logic Model
Elder mentors will serve as positive role models for at-risk youth, and they will provide positive feedback and individualized attention to the youth. This attention and positive feedback will help to increase the youth's self-esteem and self-worth. The youth may also learn about the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle from the elder mentor. Tutoring may directly address school performance.
Engaging in community service work with institutionalized frail elderly will boost the youth's self-confidence and their social skills. These activities may also instill a sense of social responsibility.
Increasing youth's self-esteem, self-confidence and social skills will help them to resist peer pressure to use ATOD.
[*Note: it seems that nothing in the program directly teaches or reinforces students' resistance skills. A skill-building module could be introduced to address this risk factor. It is unlikely that the program as currently described will influence students' resistance skills]
5. Information Dissemination Strategy: "Project Star" Hypothetical Logic Model
The curriculum focuses on resistance training, and developing skills to resist pressures to use drugs. Students who develop these skills will be less likely to use drugs.
Additionally, the curriculum provides information about the negative consequences of drug use and the positive aspects of a drug-free lifestyle. Students who are exposed to this information will be more likely to develop standards and norms of non-use, leading to reduced use.
Activities between parents and children focused on will improve the quality of relationships between parents and children and increase open communication about drug use and its consequences. This will increase the chances that students will adhere to a drug-free life style.
By involving a variety of different community sectors, the likelihood of changing community norms related to ATOD is increased. Changes in community norms are expected to lead to lower rates of use and abuse.
Information and resource dissemination will increase community residents' knowledge of services available in the community for ATOD use and abuse. This knowledge will lead to more timely and frequent access to these community resources, and therefore help to reduce ATOD related problems.
The awareness march, although not in and of itself expected to influence risk factors, plays a role in publicizing the activities of Project Star and the Coalition, and helps to gain community support for our activities.
Instituting tobacco free zones both sets a clear standards that smoking is not an acceptable behavior (supporting a community norm for non-use), as well as putting into place barriers to availability. If students are not allowed to smoke around school, their use may be reduced. Making cigarettes more difficult for youth to obtain may decrease tobacco use.
6. Community-Based Processes Strategy: "Project Star" Hypothetical Logic Model
By involving a variety of different community sectors, the likelihood of changing community norms related to ATOD is increased. Changes in community norms are expected to lead to lower rates of use and abuse.
Information and resource dissemination will increase community residents' knowledge of services available in the community for ATOD use and abuse. This knowledge will lead to more timely and frequent access to these community resources, and therefore help to reduce ATOD related problems.
The awareness march, although not in and of itself expected to influence risk factors, plays a role in publicizing the activities of Project Star and the Coalition, and helps to gain community support for our activities.
Instituting tobacco free zones both sets a clear standards that smoking is not an acceptable behavior (supporting a community norm for non-use), as well as putting into place barriers to availability. If students are not allowed to smoke around school, their use may be reduced. Making cigarettes more difficult for youth to obtain may decrease tobacco use.
Parents who participate in helping their children with their homework will develop more positive relationships with their children. Children who have more positive relationships with their parents are at lower risk for ATOD use.
Parents who participate in the parent organization will implement activities that promote positive aspects of a drug-free lifestyle, and which support community norms for non-use. Note: depending on what activities the parent groups plan, there might be different "theories of change" that could be included here.
Parents will learn more about how to positively communicate with their child about ATOD, and will be better able to set clear standards for their children. This communication and clear standards lead to children being less likely to use.
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