1. VERMONT Results of the GO PROSPER Survey Round 1, Fall 2010 PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience

2. GO PROSPER survey, round 1 This report was prepared for the Cooperative Extension System of the state of Vermont. In it you will find information from the seven Extension Systems that are taking part in the “Grand Opportunity” (GO) PROSPER Expansion project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is being conducted by researchers at the Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute at Iowa State University, in collaboration with Extension personnel and researchers at Pennsylvania State University’s Prevention Research Institute. Data were collected using a web-based survey distributed to Extension Administrators and all Extension employees associated with the 4-H and Family Program areas. Included in this report are the aggregated responses obtained from Vermont and from all seven participating states (including Vermont called “All GO States” in the tables and figures). Results are based on responses from the 726 participating Extension employees in the seven states (a response rate of 63%), including 20 (a 91% response rate) from Vermont.

3. Main themes Problem Awareness Decision-Making about Programming Implementation of Evidence-Based Programs by Extension Existing Program Evaluation Practices Existing Partnerships with Schools Existing Partnerships with Other State Agencies Existing Partnerships with Communities Organizational Resources Training Availability

4. Problem awareness How serious are each of the following problems for communities in your state? Current interest, attitude, demands, and commitment concerning prevention programming targeting youth and families, as well as existing obstacles to adopting such programming by the Cooperative Extension System. State level presumes programming implemented state- wide, while community level assumes programming selected by particular community to meet specific needs.

5. How would you describe the level of implementation for your Extension System in the area of substance use prevention? (% in each category, excluding “I don’t know/Not applicable”) State LevelCommunity Level VermontAll GO StatesVermontAll GO States We are not considering programming effort on this topic at this time. 15211521 We are considering a programming effort on this topic. 157 7 We are currently planning to implement a programming effort on this topic. 5252 We recently started a programming effort on this topic 5454 We have an established programming effort on this topic 201520 How would you describe the level of implementation for your Extension System in the area of delinquency prevention? (% in each category, excluding “I don’t know/Not applicable”) State LevelCommunity Level VermontAll GO StatesVermontAll GO States We are not considering programming effort on this topic at this time. 15211521 We are considering a programming effort on this topic. 157 7 We are currently planning to implement a programming effort on this topic. 5252 We recently started a programming effort on this topic. 5454 We have an established programming effort on this topic. 0408

6. Decision-making about programming Practices for decisions related to program selection. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree VermontAll GO States Program decisions take into consideration the talents/ experience/interests of our local Extension agents/educators. 8570

7. Implementation of evidence-based programs Current use of evidence-based programs by the Cooperative Extension System and factors that influence decisions about adopting new Evidence-Based Programs. The term evidence-based refers to programs based on sound theory that have been rigorously evaluated (e.g., compared with a control group) and proven to produce long-term positive effects in reducing substance use, delinquency or other youth problems. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree VermontAll GO States Our Extension System would rather support a prevention program that is evidence-based, even when the implementation costs are higher than those of other prevention programs. 4041 Our Extension staff are knowledgeable about evidence-based prevention programming. 2046 I know about several specific evidence-based prevention programs that target youth. 3048

8. Existing program evaluation practices Practices of program quality assurance and evaluation currently employed by the Cooperative Extension System. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree Vermont All GO States Our Extension program staff regularly work with an evaluation specialist to assess our programs. 3035 I know of researchers at our university with expertise in evaluating prevention programming. 2552

9. Existing program evaluation practices

10. Existing partnerships with schools Partnerships and partnership stability between Extension and the school system. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree Vermont All GO States Our state-level staff are involved in prevention efforts for youth in schools. 4030 Our locally-based agents/educators have established connections with school districts in their community. 8089

11. Existing partnerships with other state agencies Partnerships between extension and other agencies within the state. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree Vermont All GO States Our state Extension System actively seeks partnerships with other state agencies to conduct prevention programming. 4047 Our state Extension System has experience collaborating and sharing resources with other state agencies to conduct prevention programming. 4546

12. Existing partnerships with communities Partnerships between Cooperative Extension and local communities. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree Vermont All GO States Our locally-based agents/educators should actively pursue partnership and collaboration opportunities in the communities they serve. 9594

13. Organizational resources Current availability of financial and human resources, as well as time and availability of professional development within the Cooperative Extension System. % responding Agree or Strongly Agree VermontAll GO States Our locally-based agents are required to generate funding to support programming efforts. 4561 Organizing partnerships with schools is a feasible way to generate resources to implement quality youth prevention programming. 8578 I am aware of local organizations that could help Extension support a youth and/or family-focused prevention programming effort. 5079

14. Organizational resources

15. Training availability How much training have you received regarding: Guidelines for implementing evidence-based programming, %Vermont All GO States No Training3020 Some Training, but Not Enough4041 About the Right Amount of Training3032 Too Much Training01 Not Applicable to My Position03 Finding resources to support prevention program delivery, %Vermont All GO States No Training5520 Some Training, but Not Enough2539 About the Right Amount of Training2018 Too Much Training01 Not Applicable to My Position03 Principles of collaboration, %VermontAll GO States No Training2018 Some Training, but Not Enough35 About the Right Amount of Training4039 Too Much Training53 Not Applicable to My Position02

16. Training availability How much training have you received regarding: Educating members of the community to identify and address the needs of youth and families, %Vermont All GO States No Training3518 Some Training, but Not Enough3536 About the Right Amount of Training2036 Too Much Training52 Not Applicable to My Position52 Program evaluation, %Vermont All GO States No Training55 Some Training, but Not Enough2036 About the Right Amount of Training6050 Too Much Training157 Not Applicable to My Position01 Grant writing, %Vermont All GO States No Training3033 Some Training, but Not Enough3539 About the Right Amount of Training3024 Too Much Training01 Not Applicable to My Position51

17. Please visit our websites at… www.prosper.ppsi.iastate.edu www.ppsi.iastate.edu www.prevention.psu.edu

18. Iowa State UniversityPennsylvania State University Partnership in Prevention Science InstitutePrevention Research Center Richard Spoth, DirectorMark Greenberg, Director PPSI Scientists:PRC Scientists: Cleve RedmondChungyeol ShinMark FeinbergDaniel F. Perkins Lisa SchainkerKate RalstonClaudia MincemoyerJanet Welsh Sarah Meyer Chilenski Human Interaction Research Institute Tom Backer, Director The PROSPER Partnership Group Funded by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Annie E. Casey Foundation The National Institute on Drug Abuse