Youth Cessation Project: A Partnership Between Schools &State Tobacco Control Program

Karen BeckerProgram Manager

American Lung Association of New Hampshire

New Hampshire N-O-T® Pilot Project 2002-2003

New Hampshire Tobacco Prevention and Control Program

TPCP New Hampshire State Tobacco

Control Program Monies available for funding from

the Master Tobacco Settlement

American Lung Association of New Hampshire

ALANH One ALA office in New Hampshire Applied for a grant from the NH

Tobacco Prevention and Control Program to implement a state-wide youth tobacco cessation project

Proposed use of the N-O-T® Program

N-O-T® Program Stands for ‘Not On Tobacco’ American Lung Association Program Designed to help teens quit smoking Research based and evaluated School based program Voluntary Led by a trained facilitator 10 weekly sessions Gender-specific Incorporates a “total health approach” to

helping teens quit smoking

Why the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) sponsored the

N-O-T® Pilot Project?

To determine whether:1.) High School students will

participate in a program that can help them quit smoking

2.) School Administrators will support such a program in their high schools.

Why a ‘Pilot’ Project?

ALANH had implemented N-O-T® at a number of NH high schools in the previous several years

This project would allow for the program to be offered at high schools throughout the entire state

Why a ‘Pilot’ Project?

N-O-T® is considered an ALA ‘Best Practice’ Program

National Best Practice Recommendations have not been identified for youth tobacco cessation at this time

Grant provided funds to:

Support a full-time coordinator Purchase N-O-T® recruitment

materials (posters, giveaways) Purchase N-O-T® incentives Hold celebratory pizza parties and

provide snacks Provide facilitator stipends Hire University of New Hampshire

Survey Center to evaluate project data

Project Timeline

May 2002- ALANH officially receives grant from TPCP

June 2002- Full Time Project Coordinator is hired

July 2003- Recruitment begins!

Recruitment Goals for the Project

Recruit 15 New Hampshire High Schools

Recruit 300 students to participate in the project

Recruit and train 30 school-based facilitators

Recruitment

June 2002- Application developed Contact information & Principal’s

signature Asked to identify two potential

program facilitators from their school

Indicate criteria that indicates school’s commitment to tobacco prevention and control

Indicators of School Policy Our school provides signage about its

tobacco free campus policy Information about tobacco free policy is

printed in student handbook Our school has promoted cessation to

students and faculty in the past Tobacco prevention is addressed in our

health education curriculum We have a student, teacher, or parent

task force addressing tobacco use Other indicators____________

Recruitment

July 2003- Application was mailed to all New Hampshire High Schools

Addressed directly to Principals Accompanied by:

A letterA packet describing the project in detail Sheet describing ‘Effective Facilitators’

Recruitment

August/September 2002- Follow-up calls and emails to schools

Confirm that application found its way to the principal

Local coalitions were also informed of the project and asked to call/visit their local schools to encourage their applying for the project

Selection of Schools Deadline: September 30, 2002 ‘Rolling Admission’ until that date Great response!18 schools were

selected (diverse location, size, etc.) & 34 facilitators were recruited and trained

Selected Schools:Sent acceptance letter Called principals to schedule a short

meeting Informed of Facilitator Training Dates

Principal Meetings

Project Coordinator met with each principal

Facilitators also attended meeting-if possible

Discussed school’s responsibilities: Provide meeting space Provide facilitators for the program Provide support for the program

Principal Meetings

Discussed specific standards for the project: Implement the program during the school day Follow a sensitive timeline School-based facilitators must attend training Complete all required evaluations Voluntary & Confidential program Recruit students and enable consistent

attendance Parental consent

Signed agreement*

Recruiting Students

Schools were encouraged to: Hang posters/fliers Include program information with

morning/afternoon announcements Word of mouth Invite N-O-T® Coordinator to assist with

recruitment

Recruiting Students Coordinator scheduled time to visit each

school to help with recruiting Set up recruitment table (during lunch) Giveaways (pencils, candy) CO testing Displayed incentives Talked about program

Approximately 175 students were recruited for the project

Program Implementation

All classes began by December 2002 to allow for 3-month follow-up evaluation in spring

23 N-O-T® groups were implemented at 16 schools

Facilitators and Principals were also asked to complete evaluations

University of New Hampshire Survey Center compiled project data

Evaluation Data from the Project 24% of participants were smoke-free at the

end of the program (dropped to 20% 3 months after the program)

Participants significantly reduced the number of cigarettes smoked on weekdays by 54% and by 44% on weekends.

The most effective ways to inform students about the program remains friends, posters or by teacher. Handouts were considered to be the most effective notification.

Participants of the program report that stopping or reducing smoking has been helpful to them in other areas of their lives, especially in improving self-esteem and in dealing with stress.

Why the NH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) sponsored

the N-O-T® Pilot Project?

To determine whether:1.) High School students will

participate in a program that can help them quit smoking- YES!

2.) School Administrators will support such a program in their high schools- YES!

Principal Evaluation of the N-O-T® Pilot Project

100% were satisfied overall with the program

100% would offer the program at their school again

Barriers/Challenges noted: student recruitment, student attendance, scheduling issues

Principal’s Remarks

“Great program. Thanks for including us.”

“Very successful- only needed a conference room to meet in.”

“Great program. Great curriculum.” “The materials and support for

N-O-T® have been excellent.”

What worked?

Having one contact person for schools/administrators

Meeting with principals- explaining the program and the school’s responsibilities

Personal interaction Signed contracts Getting the principal involved and

having his/her support for the program

What worked?

Being able to provide a “complete program” (curriculums, workbooks, incentives, etc.) at no cost to schools

Realistic timeline- need time to recruit! Visiting schools to recruit students Lollipop fliers

Challenges

Getting schools on board Student recruitment School calendar Students missing classes Funding Coordination

Funding for Year Two

July 2003, the New Hampshire Legislators vote to eliminate all tobacco control funding from the Master Settlement funds

NO Year 2 for the Pilot Project

N-O-T® in New Hampshire

ALANH continues to offer the N-O-T® Program throughout the state with limited resources.

Many of the Pilot Project schools continue to offer the program at their schools

Thank you!

Please call or email with any questions.

Karen BeckerProgram Manager

American Lung Association of New Hampshire