D.A.R.E. America Strategic Initiative

D.A.R.E. is undergoing the most significant changes in the history of the program. The modifications being undertaken place D.A.R.E. in a position to experience an unprecedented rejuvenation of the program. Key components of this reformation include new curricula, the most comprehensive longitudinal evaluation of any substance abuse prevention education program ever, and modification to the D.A.R.E. infrastructure on a national level.

These D.A.R.E. program and organizational modifications will of themselves generate positive outcomes. Improved communications with and among D.A.R.E. constituencies will serve to enhance program improvements. To this end D.A.R.E. America has embarked upon a strategic plan. Components of the plan already in place include:

• Scientific Advisory Board
• Law Enforcement Advisory Board
• Youth Advisory Board
• D.A.R.E. America Regional Directors
• D.A.R.E. America Operational Advisory Committee
• D.A.R.E. America Training Model Committee

D.A.R.E. America will soon finalize formation of the Educational Advisory Board and the Curricula/Delivery Committee. These two bodies will represent the interests of the nation’s leading educational institutions, as well as providing a way to incorporate input from classroom educators.

D.A.R.E. America Officers Advisory Panel

On January 24 2002 D.A.R.E. America announced the formation of the D.A.R.E. America Officers Advisory Panel. This panel will represent the interests of D.A.R.E. Officers and provide for the integrity and growth of the implementation of D.A.R.E. throughout the country. The D.A.R.E. America Officers Advisory Panel will be comprised of one D.A.R.E. officer from each state and U.S. territory. One task of this panel will be to provide input to insure pertinent and contemporary training is provided at the annual D.A.R.E. America National In-Service Training Conference.

Each state D.A.R.E. officer association is offered the opportunity to nominate one officer from the concerned state to serve upon the D.A.R.E. America Officers advisory Panel. As part of the recommendation process a recommendation from the state training center coordinator/ program administrator must accompany the nomination. The nominated officer must meet the following criteria:

• Currently serving as a D.A.R.E. officer in the classroom or actively serving as a Mentor with a state training center, and will remain so during term of service on the panel.
• Be able to actively participate in all D.A.R.E. America sponsored meetings during term of service.
• Have the ability and willingness to communicate with D.A.R.E. officers of the concerned state as well as representatives of D.A.R.E. America.

Nominations of state representatives are to be forwarded to Lloyd Bratz, Midwest Regional Director no later than May 15, 2002. He will ensure that nominees meet the enumerated criteria and that the required recommendation is provided.

The term of service upon the initial D.A.R.E. America Officers Advisory Panel will be from the date of the appointment until replacement concurrent with concerned state officer association board elections for the year 2003/2004. The term of service upon subsequent D.A.R.E. Officers Advisory Panels will be for one year. The state D.A.R.E. training coordinator and D.A.R.E. America Regional Director will concur upon representation from states without an officers association.

DARE America will provide for costs associated with service upon the panel, including required transportation, lodging and per diem. It is anticipated that the panel will meet three times annually. One meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual DARE America National In-Service Training Conference.

D.A.R.E. America will make selection of appointees to the D.A.R.E. America Officers Advisory Board. Notification to individuals of appointment to the board will be accomplished by June 1, 2002.

New DARE Elementary Curriculum

• The new elementary curriculum and printed materials probably will be available for local D.A.R.E. officers to use by the fall of 2003.
• The new curriculum consists of nine lessons, one lesson per week for nine weeks. The D.A.R.E. officer will have the option of providing two additional lessons- the role model lesson and D.A.R.E. Graduation.
• The greatest difference will be the use of facilitation skills by the D.A.R.E. Officer to encourage student interaction and learning. These facilitation skills will be used in all of the new D.A.R.E. curricula.
• The new curriculum is currently being piloted in Ohio and Louisiana.
• By shortening the elementary curriculum, thus saving time and resources, D.A.R.E. America is encouraging law enforcement to provide the middle school D.A.R.E. curriculum that will reinforce the prevention message.

 

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