Project SUCCESS (Schools Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students) Description

Project SUCCESS is a school-based Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Model program that prevents and reduces substance use among high-risk multi-problem adolescents by placing highly trained professionals in schools to provide a full range of substance use prevention and early intervention services. Project SUCCESS counselors implement primarily selective and indicated program components along with school-wide universal prevention strategies. Activities include: information dissemination, normative and prevention education, problem identification and referral, community based process and environmental approaches. In addition, resistance and social competency skills, such as communication, decision making, stress and anger management, problem solving, and resisting peer pressure are taught. All program activities are conducted by one Project SUCCESS Counselor who works primarily in small group and individual sessions. Project SUCCESS counselors also work with students, school administrators, parents, and community groups on environmental approaches to change attitudes and behaviors, as well as policies and procedures which will help to prevent and reduce adolescent substance use.

The program is unique among other evidence-based programs in that it not curriculum-based. This gives it several advantages over curriculum based prevention programs including:

• Highly trained prevention professionals who have counseling experience, are culturally competent, and have specific knowledge of adolescent development are the program implementers.

• Project SUCCESS is a dynamic rather than scripted prevention program. It can be responsive to the specific needs of students, families and the community. It can also address other health concerns and adolescent problem behaviors when necessary.

• The program has a referral component for students and families who may need additional services.

PARTICIPANTS

Project SUCCESS can be used for both:

• Middle school students
• High school students

The program was found to be effective with males and females, diverse ethnic groups, and students from urban, rural and suburban areas.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Project SUCCESS utilizes a combination of interventions, which have been designed to address the unique needs of adolescents. There are five program components, as illustrated below.

• The Prevention Education Series - An Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug prevention program conducted by the Project SUCCESS Counselor with small groups of students.

• Individual and Group Counseling - The Project Success Counselor conducts time limited individual sessions and/or group counseling at school to students following participation in the Prevention Education Series and an individual assessment for services. There are seven different student counseling groups.

• School-Wide Awareness and Outreach Activities - Project SUCCESS activities help students change their normative perceptions of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and increase school bonding through student involvement in planning and implementing programs.

• Parent Programs - Project SUCCESS includes parents as collaborative partners in prevention through parent workshops, consultation and referrals, involvement in PTA and other school/community organizations.

• Referral - Students and parents who require treatment, more intensive counseling, or other services are referred to appropriate agencies or practitioners by their Project SUCCESS counselors.

Click here to order Project SUCCESS program materials or to enroll in a Project SUCCESS Training.