Massillon AHEAD

PROGRAMS

AHEAD Program Coordination and Development

CARE TEAM – is a multi-disciplinary holistic team approach to reducing both the academic and non-academic barriers to learning. It involves prevention, intervention and treatment to both individual students and the entire student body. The services are school based and can be provided before, during or afterschool and involve the both school personnel and community partners. The TEAM involves AHEAD principals, guidance counselors, behavior coaches, afterschool coordinator, truancy officer, school nurse, psychologist, and community partners of the Director of the AHEAD Foundation, Mental Health Clinicians through Child and Adolescent Service Center, and Family Involvement Coordinator through Trillium Family Solutions. Begun in 2006 – approximately 351 students have been served

Life Skills Training –– evidence based health prevention curriculum for skill building over a three year period. To address and reduce substance abuse (Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs) & domestic violence, brought to Massillon City School by Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (formally, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board) Program in place 2007 at 6th graders level and 7th planned for 2008, & with 8th grade on by 2009.

Teen Screen –AHEAD Director is the Site Coordinator for Massillon Middle School. Program is supported by Mental Health and Recovery Services Board – allowing Parents to consent to a Mental Health Check-up for their students. Teen Screen is developed by Columbia University to help identify students that are displaying symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Substance Use and Suicidal thoughts and connect them to needed supports or treatment. The program works with Ohio State University and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, Ohio is leading the Nation in identifying and accessing adolescent risk and Stark County is leading the State in number of locations accessing student risk. In 2007-08 -79 students were screened at MMS – 26 needed a further assessment, and some required additional mental health services.

Mental Health Services – Child and Adolescent Service Center provides services on site at MMS and Community Services of Stark County provides social/emotional support and clinical counseling at the afterschool locations. In 2007, over 60 students received some type of MH service at the MMS and afterschool all 120 students receiving support services with more receiving individual or family counseling.

Arts in Stark – SmARTS grant- able to immerse students in academic and art programming with renown WWII survivor, author and artist, Dr. Nelly Toll – entire 7th grade - 329 students experienced her book and water color paintings and were given the opportunity to meet Dr. Toll during her visit to Massillon. Other Arts grants included the Creativity Café` to offer afterschool students new experiences in the arts.

Community Collaborative Network – together with the Salvation Army, AHEAD organized ongoing community meetings of social service providers and clergy association to increase understanding of each organizations role, improve relationships between organizations and employees, introduce new programs, provide opportunities for collaboration and support each other in projects.

Olweus Anti-bully Program – AHEAD is a strong supporter in implementation for Olweus program which takes a universal approach to changing student behavior in bullying situations. Stating expectations, and giving staff and student body healthy and appropriate ways to get the “bystanders” to rally against the small number of students who bully others.

Western Stark County Homeless Task Force – group meeting for three years that involves leaders from Massillon Area Clergy Association, City Officials ( Judge Elum and Mike Loudiana) and multiple Social Service Organizations ( Salvation Army, Community Services of Stark County – Family Living Center, AHEAD) working together to identify the needs and address the issues, as a collective entity that involve the homeless and at-risk to be homeless of our community.

Afterschool Technology – AT&T Foundation – able to bring in AHEAD interactive technology components to afterschool program which allows students to remotely key into a variety of teacher generated questions or to access computer generated questions taken from past Ohio Achievement Tests in all content and grades K-12. Day teaching staff able to access programs as well.

Lenscrafters Eye Care Program – minor program that makes a world of difference! AHEAD was able to sponsor a bus to take 28 uninsured students to Lenscrafters for free eye care and glasses. 25 of the students returned with new eyeglasses. This wasn’t a costly venture but it allowed the staff to plug into an existing service and get the children the medical care they needed without spending hours of time finding some way for students to have this need met.

Massillon Academic Achievement Committee – Ashland University Project – funded by the David Foundation, worked with project leader Lee Owens to involve students and community in evaluating student needs and issues around student achievement in the sub-groups of special education, minority and economically deprived. Recommendations provided to Board of Education and Administration primarily in helping minority students experience higher success and Ashland provided program for support.

School – Agency Liaison – AHEAD serves as a liaison between the service providers and staff of many of the projects involving community organizations. Helping to meet needs, improve relationships, and address concerns and help facilitate communicate new programs and ideas.

Education
Collaboration
Counseling
Parent Involvement
Recreation
Special Programs
Field Trips