Success StoryStudents Teaching Against Negative Decisions in Muhlenberg County



Students Teaching Against Negative Decisions in Muhlenberg County

Author: Mackenzie Pogue

Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Providing Positive Youth Development Experience

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) survey is administered every two years to eighth grade students in the Muhlenberg County school system.  In 2018, three hundred and twenty-three eighth grade students were surveyed.  42% of students reported they thought tobacco use is a problem in their middle school.   31% reported drug use is a program in their school.  21% reported being electronically bullied in the past year.  14% of students reported feeling depressed most or all of the time in the past thirty days.  20% reported they have cut or harmed themselves on purpose.  16% reported during the past 12 months, they seriously considered attempting suicide.  Sixty-seven students reported smoking an E-cigarette in the past thirty days.  One hundred and sixty students make up our 2018-2019 STAND organization.  This club is a partnership between 4-H, FCS and the board of education.  STAND’s high school service group help build character in youth and increase student success by developing programs and projects for elementary through high school students, educating them about the consequences of negative decisions including smoking, drug use, bullying, and sexual activity.  STAND’s goals also encompass the impact of making positive choices such as working towards college and career readiness.  A $15,000 grant from the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation provides the necessary funding to conduct such a program.  At the conclusion of the program year, the STAND students contributed 31 hours meeting, planning, and executing their programs and projects.  STAND students directly impacted 4,000 Muhlenberg County students with their message.  The percentages for these unpleasant statistics have decreased from the 2016 survey results.   STAND students are making an impact in Muhlenberg County.  






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