Student Assistance Program Coordinator
Travis Edwards
630-795-8588
tedwards@csd99.org
Room A103-M
As the Student Assistance Program Coordinator at Downers Grove South High School, Mr. Edwards implements prevention activities, intervention services, and follow-up support for students and families. The goal of the Student Assistance Program is to encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices, succeed academically, and become more involved with school-based activities while developing leadership skills.
DGS sponsors a number of events and activities throughout the school year to engage and educate students about healthful lifestyles:
- Every October, we observe “Red Ribbon Week,” an awareness campaign about alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention. During this time, there are a variety of activities provided, which can include outside speakers and preventions lessons.
- Twice a year, all students are invited to an offsite retreat called “Operation Snowball.” Speakers focus on leadership, communication and drug-free lifestyles. This provides a foundation of information and skills for our students to make responsible decisions.
- We hold a variety of leadership programs throughout the school year, developing strong student leaders who in turn serve as positive peer role models. We also include information in Mustang Way lessons throughout the school year.
Guiding Our Work
Research shows that having data from our own population is essential in order to meaningfully address the health and well-being of students. As a result and in an effort to find solutions, District 99 volunteered to administer the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) to all of its students in 2014 and 2016 and has continued to implement this survey since that time.
The IYS is designed and processed by the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois. It is designed to gather meaningful information about a variety of health and social indicators, including substance use patterns and attitudes. The IYS is a voluntary survey, funded by the State of Illinois. Previously, District 99 surveyed students in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
By participating in the IYS, we receive information about student needs, challenges, behaviors, and strengths. It also allows us to monitor changes in behavior over time, and gives us information from which to base our program strategies. We’ve also been able to connect to State grant-funded partnerships by participating in the IYS.
We have compiled results from our last two surveys. Highlights of the results include:
- Most D99 students do not regularly use tobacco, drink alcohol or use illegal substances.
- Most of D99 students’ primary activities with friends are non-substance related.
- There are statistical declines in usage compared with 2008 data.
- D99 student use is of alcohol and substance use is similar to national, state and county trends.
- D99 student use of illicit drugs overall is low, and extremely low for substances like cocaine, meth and heroin.
Full IYS Reports
- 2018 DGS IYS Report
- 2016 DGS IYS Report
- 2014 State of Illinois IYS Reports and Information
- 2014 DuPage County IYS Report
- 2014 DGS IYS Report
- 2014 DGS - Additional IYS Questions Report
Please visit the Center for Prevention Research & Development's website here.
AddictionResource.net - "How to Stop Drinking Alcohol.
Focus for the Future
The IYS results support our continued use of a “social norms” marketing campaign, which emphasizes that “most teens” at District 99 do not abuse alcohol or drugs--challenging the inaccurate assumptions that “everyone is doing it.” We will continue to promote our efforts via this campaign, and to reach out to parents and families through social media and use of the hashtag #mostteens@d99.
The results also pointed out our need to monitor national drug trends, including potential changes in perceptions and norms regarding marijuana use. We will continue to educate students and families on the concerns related to marijuana use. In addition, we will be doing more to inform families and students on the challenges of storing and dangers of abusing prescription drugs.
The conversation about making positive choices is an ongoing one, and our goal continues to be to reduce overall and help our students develop into healthy young adults. If you have questions or suggestions about our programs or our approach to encouraging positive lifestyle choices, please contact Travis Edwards, Student Assistance Program Coordinator at 630-795-8588 tedwards@csd99.org