Welcome to the State Department of Education Safe and Drug Free Schools (SDFS) program. SDFS exists to build on the strengths of Idaho students and school personnel in establishing safe, positive learning environments before, during and after school. Students are far more likely to realize their academic and life skills potential in a supportive school climate that is safe and free from violence, drugs and alcohol. SDFS provides technical assistance, guidance and support for parents, schools and communities to most effectively address youth risk behaviors.
Since 1996 SDFS programs in Idaho school districts had been funded through dedicated state and federal title IVA funds. As a result of declining state revenue and shifting federal priorities both state and federal funding streams for SDFS were eliminated in 2009/2010.
The underlying premise of this work is the belief that every school in Idaho has the potential to create a healthy, safe and drug free climate in which all students succeed.
Parental Resource
The SDFS program is part of a statewide effort to engage parents in reducing underage drinking in Idaho. The following website serves as the statewide repository of information and ideas for parents to build meaningful relationships with their children: www.betheparents.org
SDFS Primary Program Objectives
- Develop age appropriate comprehensive drug education and prevention programs involving parents, schools and community.
- Provide a school environment that is a safe and drug-free place for students to learn and for adults to work.
- Enhance interwoven prevention and awareness activities that assist in the development of risk/ protective factors, life skills, and build on developmental assets.
Prevention Strategies
Research has identified several strategies that prevent the involvement of young people in drug use, violence and other harmful behaviors. In implementing prevention efforts for youth, a multi-pronged approach including the following should be employed:
- Provide accurate, timely information on consequences, alternatives and supports
- Provide life skills training including peer mentoring and refusal skills
- Provide supervised, alternative activities that promote healthy decision making
- Involve the community in designing and implementing strategies
Comprehensive Programs
School districts are encouraged to use "Principles of Effectiveness" to develop comprehensive substance abuse and violence prevention programs designed to meet the needs of all students.
Components for Comprehensive Program:
- Staffing- Dedicated personnel assigned to oversee and coordinate prevention activities.
- Curriculum - Prevention programs implemented and taught in classroom setting during the school day.
- Non-Curriculum - Activities that emphasize and reinforce prevention programs before and after school and during lunch.
- Peer-Delivered - Youth-led activities, such as mentoring, peer mediation, cross-age teaching, and Natural Helpers.
- Intervention - Services or activities that provide help for struggling students, such as Student Assistance Programs (SAP), counseling, and drug/alcohol assessments.
- Parent/Community - Awareness/educational prevention and parenting skills programs.
- Special Events - Assemblies, presentations, and activities that reinforce ongoing prevention efforts.
Links
BeTheParents.org 
|
Important Documents
Harassment on School Campuses Manual
|
|
Training-Manual Current-Legal-Issues
|