School-based Prevention, Intervention, and Resources Initiative (SPIRIT)

Preferred Family Healthcare is one of only four providers in the state of Missouri to conduct a comprehensive, school-based substance abuse & violence prevention program. The Missouri School-based Prevention, Intervention, and Resources Initiative (S.P.I.R.I.T.) is implemented by PFH Prevention Specialists at the Knox County R-1 School District, Scotland County R-1 School District, South Shelby R-IV School District and Macon County R-1 School District. These Specialists use evidence based prevention curricula and best practices in grades Kindergarten through 10th to help education the students on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and abuse, as well as, working to reduce the number of bullying, cyber-bullying and other related acts of aggressive behaviors in the classrooms. The curricula being used is as follows:

PeaceBuilders

PeaceBuilders (K-5) is an elementary program designed to reduce physical and verbal aggression by creating a “culture of peace” within the school environment. Throughout the school year students are taught to interact socially in a positive way through various methods such as modeling, role-playing, and self-monitoring. The main messages of the curriculum are to praise others, avoid put-downs, seek the advice of wise people, right your wrongs, speak up about hurt feelings and help others.

Too Good for Drugs

Too Good for Drugs (K-12) puts social and emotional learning to work through fun and interactive lessons, building the self-confidence young people need to make healthy choices and achieve success. Too Good for Drugs promotes positive, pro-social attitudes and behavior, while fostering healthy relationships, resistance to substance abuse and conflict, and resistance to negative peer pressure and influence. The Too Good for Drugs curriculum cultivates positive outcomes through the development of goal setting, decision making skills, conflict resolution skills, effective communication skills, plus social and emotional competency.

SPORT2: Prevention + Wellness

SPORT 2: Prevention + Wellness (High School) is a brief six lesson program designed to increase wellness enhancing behaviors including participating in different types of physical activity, eating a variety of healthy foods, monitoring calorie intake, and controlling stress while avoiding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug use.

Second Step

Second Step (6-8) is a three-year DVD based curriculum that helps young adolescents make good choices and stay engaged in school. It not only teaches social and emotional skills that lead to school success but it also supports academics in the classroom. Lesson content and learning strategies align with language arts, media literacy, health, science, math, physical education, civics and life-skills standards. The curriculum addresses critical skills like: substance abuse prevention, empathy and communication, bullying prevention, emotion management and coping skills, violence prevention, decision making, problem solving & goal setting.

Project Toward No Drug Abuse

Project Toward No Drug Abuse (9-12) is an interactive program designed to help high school youth resist substance use. It teaches participants increased coping and self-control skills by making them aware of misleading information that facilitates drug use.

Mentoring (9-12) is a best practice used at the High School level to help raise grades, keep students on track to graduate, decrease drop-out rate and make High School an overall better place for students.

Get Started Today

The S.P.I.RI.T. Office is located at 106 N. 2nd Street, Suite C in Edina, Missouri. The phone number is (660) 397-3379.

The S.P.I.R.I.T. program is funded by the Department of Mental Health: Division of Behavioral Health and is evaluated by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health. All students in the School District receive S.P.I.R.I.T. programming but participation in the evaluation process is voluntary for students (4-10) and must be consented to by parents/guardians. This evaluation process consists of the students completing an anonymous on-line survey at the end of the curriculum they have completed.

Goals of Missouri SPIRIT Initiative:

  • To maximize every school-aged child’s readiness to learn as a result of being free from the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse;
  • To delay age of first use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
  • To promote safety in Missouri’s classrooms by reducing the incidence of substance abuse and related acts of violence;
  • To strengthen and support families in order to minimize the risks for youth substance abuse;
  • To intervene early with children at greatest risk for substance abuse;
  • To refer children with substance abuse problems to appropriate treatment services to prevent further adverse consequences;
  • To ensure that strategies for school-based services are cost-effective, with measurable goals and outcomes.

Locations that offer SPIRIT services

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