Substance Abuse Newaygo, Michigan

Newaygo County Year End Outcome Evaluation Report 2011-12
INTRODUCTION
Newaygo County has had a substance abuse prevention affiliate since 1989 with many key leaders and
agencies involved for many of those years. The formerly known Safe and Drug Free Schools and
Communities Affiliate of Newaygo County was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the NC3 Community
Collaborative. In April of 2010, the NC3 Community Collaborative Executive Council merged the Safe and
Drug Free Schools and Communities Affiliate with the Suicide Prevention Affiliate to form a more unified
alliance in prevention for Newaygo County. The affiliate is now known as the Suicide and Substance
Abuse Prevention Affiliate (SSAPA).
The Newaygo County SSAPA plans to continue to partner with existing membership and community
agencies to utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) developed by The Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) in order to garner positive change as it relates to
suicide and substance abuse. This framework allows Newaygo County to identify and select evidence-
based programs, policies, and practices to address suicide and substance abuse specific consequence
areas. The substance abuse consequence areas, which were identified as target priorities, include
alcohol involved traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes, tobacco related death, and over-the-counter and
prescription drug-related poisonings and deaths. The suicide related consequence areas include the
following: 1) Develop and implement community-based suicide prevention programs 2)
Promote awareness and reduce stigma and 3) Improve the recognition and response to high-
risk individuals within the community. The Newaygo County SSAPA is committed to continuing to
utilize the SPF process as an important vehicle to demonstrate and document outcomes in the field of
prevention by utilizing the five specific steps: Needs Assessment, Capacity Building, Strategic Planning,
Implementation and Evaluation.
SSAPA of Newaygo County is an affiliate of the Newaygo County Collaborative Consortium (NC3
Community Collaborative). The NC3 Community Collaborative is a consortium which consists of
nonprofit and governmental agencies committed to implementing an effective and integrated system of
human service delivery for residents of Newaygo County. All affiliates of the NC3 Community
Collaborative, including SSAPA, meet quarterly to provide up-dates, relay important information to key
leaders in the community, and work collaboratively to garner change in Newaygo County. SSAPA utilizes
the Data Committee to deliver the data related to substance abuse/use as well as to work
collaboratively in finding and assessing data needed to prioritize and evaluate content areas. SSAPA also
works closely with the Health Improvement Council to garner the improvement of the overall health of
Newaygo County citizens, as well as being actively involved in the sub-group, Childhood Health to
improve the health of the children in Newaygo County
The Newaygo County Suicide & Substance Abuse Prevention Affiliate
Year End Outcome Evaluation Report 2011-12
Related to the priorities in the 2010-15 Strategic Prevention Plan

SSAPA is comprised of community members that are dedicated to the prevention of suicide and
substance abuse in Newaygo County. Affiliate members involved in this collaboration include:
Arbor Circle Counseling Agency; Bethany Christian Services; Community Mental Health;
Department of Human Services; District Health Department #10; Family Health Care; Michigan
Department of State Police; CEI CMH; NC 3 Community Collaborative; Newaygo County
Commissioner; Newaygo County Circuit Court; Newaygo County RESA; Newaygo County
Sheriff’s Office; Parent/Survivor of Suicide; PRIDE of Newaygo County including 30 youth
members; The Farm Where Living Things Grow; The Times Indicator; True North Community
Services; Women’s Information Services, Inc.; and White Cloud Public Schools.
The formal affiliate structure is ruled by the Official By-Laws, up-dated and reviewed annually
by the affiliate and formally approved by a vote. The affiliate is led by the chairperson and the
Executive Council who are elected bi-annually by SSAPA voting members and has shown
knowledge and belief in the affiliate’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
SSAPA Vision: Newaygo County is continually moving toward being free from suicide deaths and
the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and their relative consequences.
SSAPA Mission: The Affiliate’s members, in cooperation with students, parents, residents, and
community service agencies, resolve to provide a safe, healthy, and positive environment that
leads our children and adults to become caring, contributing citizens, and to reduce suicide and
substance abuse among youth and adults through education, peer mediation, and community
substance abuse prevention strategies.
Through the detailed definitions and listed strategies provided by the Tri Ethnic Center for
Prevention Research, the Newaygo County SSAPA members were able to determine which
stage our county and affiliate are currently working at. Although it may be said that a
community or affiliate may be working in more than one stage of readiness, we have
determined as an affiliate which stage the community and affiliate are working most effectively
in at this time. The Executive Council recently reviewed these stages at the June, 2012 meeting.
Please see below for the determined stages of readiness for Newaygo County as well as the
Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention affiliate.
County/Community: Stage 6: Initiation (Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research)
Community climate varies, but there is no active resistance, and there is a modest involvement
of community members in the efforts.
Affiliate: Stage 8: Confirmation/Expansion (Tri Ethnic Center for Prevention Research)
Standard efforts are in place and authorities or community decision-makers support expanding
or improving efforts. Community members appear comfortable in utilizing efforts. Original
efforts have been evaluated and modified, and new efforts are being planned or tried in order
to reach more people. Resources for new efforts are being sought or committed. Data are
regularly obtained on extent of local problems, and efforts are made to assess risk factors and
causes of the problem. Community climate is fundamentally supportive.

AFFILIATE
Funding streams: The SSAPA received the majority of its funding to support substance abuse
prevention activities through the former Mid South Substance Abuse Commission in the amount of
$105,000 in total. The Newaygo County Circuit Court received $14,000 of the Mid South grant and
$17,029 from the JABGNM grant to support all diversion programs. The Arbor Circle Counseling Agency
received $28,000 of the Mid South grant with additional funding included from Lakeshore United Way of
$4000.00 and the Amazing X grant of $6000.00 to support prevention programming.
Additionally, the Executive Council wrote and submitted a Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant,
achieving a score of 91 out of 100. Only six DFC grants were awarded nationally, and Newaygo County
did not obtain the grant. The Executive Council plans to review the comments from the 2012
submission and re-submit the DFC grant in 2013.
At the June 2012 Executive Council meeting, members reviewed the Mid South Prevention
Department’s Coalition Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric adopted from The Center for Prevention
Research & Development at the University of Illinois. In Section 11: Community Ownership, the
financial section states “Funding for coalition activity is provided by only one source” stayed at a
‘medium’ rating during the fiscal year. This is an area of improvement and will continue to be a priority
of the SSAPA.
Current prevention programming:
 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Diversion Programs provided by the Newaygo County Circuit
Court
 Prevention Groups in the middle and high schools for the public school districts of Newaygo
County including: Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo, and White Cloud provided by Arbor
Circle Counseling Agency
 Vendor Education for at least 50% of alcohol and tobacco vendors in Newaygo County provided
by NC RESA
 Compliance checks for 100% of tobacco vendors and four non-compliant alcohol vendors from
the previous year were provided by the Sheriff’s Office
 Youth Tobacco checks completed for the Michigan Department of Community Health provided
by NC RESA
 Party Patrol provided by the Sheriff’s Office on nights and weekends of the months of April
through September
 Prescription Drug Take-back boxes established in each law enforcement agency in Newaygo
County (Grant, White Cloud, Newaygo, Fremont, Hesperia)
 Survivor of Suicide Support group
Qualifications and Credentials of Prevention Staff

Staff Name Highest Degree Earned Credentials
Nicole Skrabis
Newaygo County RESA
MI Teaching Certificate:
-Physical Ed. K-12
-Elementary Ed.
Certified Prevention Specialist
(CPS) acquired through MCBAP
Amanda Nelson
Newaygo County RESA
Bachelors degree:
English
CPS development plan in
progress through MCBAP
Ken DeLaat
Newaygo County Circuit Court
High School Diploma CPS development plan in
progress through MCBAP
Gale Beach
Arbor Circle Counseling Agency
Masters Degree:
LLMSW CAAC
CPS certified
Michelle Woodison-Evans
Masters degree:
LMSW CAAC
Roger Wiegers
Masters degree:
LMSW CAADC
PROCESS OUTCOMES
In the 2011-12 fiscal year 100% of the milestones of the Newaygo County Implementation Plan were
completed. Accomplishments include:
 Monthly Coordinator’s reports were developed, distributed to SSAPA members, emailed to
school personnel and uploaded to the SSAPA website
 The SSAPA website was updated monthly and included, meeting minutes, upcoming events,
Coordinator’s Reports and substance abuse news and information
 Weekly postings were created on Facebook and included suicide and substance abuse
information, ROSC topics, prescription drug topics, medical marihuana information, community
event announcements and general prevention information for youth, parents and community
members
 SSAPA information was shared at the Family Expo and Baby Food Festival
 The 2012-13 Implementation Plan was developed, approved by SSAPA and submitted to MSSAC
 Three focus groups were completed and included pharmacists, individuals in recovery and youth
in the Newaygo County diversion programs
 Two Orientation trainings were held for new members, including one for youth and one for
adults
 Three new MOUs were established
 Four trainings were held for SSAPA members, which included: Families Against Narcotics,
Newaygo County Drug Trends, Prescription Drug Abuse and Medical Marihuana
 Alcohol, Tobacco and Prescription Drug Logic Models were updated
 Agency action plans were completed for NC RESA, Newaygo County Circuit Court, Arbor Circle
and the Sheriff’s Office
 Alcohol and tobacco vendor education was delivered to 50% of Newaygo County vendors
 20 prevention groups were completed by Arbor Circle

 Alcohol and tobacco diversion programming continued throughout the year through the Circuit
Court, and a new evidence-based program ‘Alternate Routes’ was implemented
 Extra officers from the Sheriff’s Office conducted MIP ‘party patrol’ from May through
September, resulting in 16 citations for minors in possession, with 5 youth under the age of 16
referred to diversion
 SYNAR activities were completed, and both vendors were found compliant
 Compliance checks were conducted through the Sheriff’s Office for 100% of tobacco vendors
with five vendors found non-compliant, and four alcohol vendors previously found non-
compliant were 100% compliant in 2012
 The Mid South Prevention Department’s Coalition Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric was reviewed
by Executive Council members in June 2012 to assess the accomplishments of the 2011-12 fiscal
year and prioritize areas for action
 A year-end celebration event is planned for the November SSAPA meeting. An outcome
snapshot flyer will be created and distributed to SSAPA members, their agencies and networks
 School district’s ATOD policies were gathered, reviewed, and discussed
 100% of school districts completed the MiPHY survey in the 2011-12 school year
With the intended milestones being reached, the following is a list of ADDITIONAL activities that were
completed as a result of the efficiency and dedication of the SSAPA:
 30 new MOUs were completed by youth
 Affiliate members shared SSAPA brochures, suicide and substance abuse prevention and
prescription drug materials at a table for the Senior & Caregiver Expo, and a SSAPA member
from the Sheriff’s Office took a prescription drug drop-off box to the event
 A Survivors of Suicide group was started in Newaygo County
 A Drug Free Communities grant was written and submitted
 A presentation was given by Katie Gunderson from the District Health Department #10
regarding Prescription Drug Abuse
 Dr. Baker from the Westbrook Recovery Center in Grand Rapids, MI provided a training for
affiliate members and their networks on the nature of addiction relevant to the area
 The SSAPA Coordinator presented on ‘Coalition Roadblocks and Success’ at the Annual
Substance Use Disorder Conference in Detroit
BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES
Major data indicators: The SSAPA uses alcohol and tobacco logic models to demonstrate the
connectivity of priority need to strategies and evaluation measures. Within the logic models major data
indicators are intended to be tracked over time in order to prioritize need and evaluate programming
and strategies. SSAPA intends to expand the current data indicators to include prescription drug use
among all age groups. SSAPA also intends to obtain suicide and substance use data pertaining to adults
and senior populations. Currently, SSAPA has gathered data for an alcohol and tobacco logic model, and
the data indicators are as follows:
Alcohol data indicators:

 Alcohol Compliance Checks
YEAR 2011 2012
NUMBER CHECKED 69 4
NUMBER SOLD 4 0
Four of 69 vendors sold alcohol to an underage decoy in 2011 and received citations. The same vendors were
rechecked with 100% compliance in 2012 (Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, 2012).
 Alcohol related traffic crashes
o Between the years of 2006 to 2010, there was an average of 2.4 alcohol involved fatal
crashes per year in Newaygo County. During that same timeframe, there was an
average of 21.2 alcohol involved injury and 76.4 alcohol involved crashes per year in
Newaygo County (MI Office of Highway Safety Planning)
o In 2009 alcohol was involved in 16.7% of all fatal traffic crashes; in 2010 alcohol was
involved in 40% of all fatal crashes; and in 2011 alcohol was involved in 22% of all fatal
crashes (Michigan Traffic and Crash Data, OHSP 2011)
The number of
alcohol-related
crashes in Newaygo
County for all ages
has significantly
decreased since 2007
(89) compared to
2011 (53) with a 3%
decrease in the
number of youth
drivers (ages 16-20)
who were involved in
alcohol-related
crashes in the same
years (Michigan
Traffic and Crash
Data, OHSP 2011)
 Youth who have drank alcohol within the past 30 days
o In 2008, self reported past 30 day alcohol use was 36.4% for 12th
graders, 26.2% for 10th
graders, 16.2% for 8th
graders, and 1.8 % of 6th
graders in Newaygo County (2008
Prevention Needs Assessment Survey)
o In the 2010 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey (MiPHY) 27% of 11th
graders,
22.3% of 9th
graders, and 10.2% of 7th
graders self reported drinking alcohol within the
past 30 days
o In the 2012 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey (MiPHY) 26.5% of 11th
graders,
17.2% of 9th
graders reported drinking alcohol within the past
30 days
0 20 40 60 80 100
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
13
0
10
7
6
89
65
81
59
53
Newaygo County Alcohol - Related
Crashes: Driver Age Comparison
All Ages
Ages 16-20

The average number
of all students who
drank alcohol was
17.4% in 2010 and
14.6% in 2012.
Alcohol use
decreased by 2.8%
from 2010 to 2012
among all students
surveyed (MiPHY
2010, 2012).
Binge drinking among youth
o 2008 binge drinking rates (five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) revealed
that 23.5% of 12th
graders, 17% of 10th
graders, 10.2% of 8th
graders in Newaygo County had 5 or more drinks in a row in the two weeks prior to
taking the 2008 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey
The number of high
school students who
reported binge
drinking decreased
by 3.9% from 2010 to
2012(MiPHY 2010,
2012).
 Youth perception of peers drinking alcohol regularly
o The 2008 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey reported that 96.9% of 6th
graders,
81.4% of 8th
graders felt it to be wrong
or very wrong for peers to drink alcohol regularly
o The 2009-10 MiPHY survey results showed that 59.5% of 11th
graders felt that alcohol use by peers to be wrong or very
wrong
o The 2012 MiPHY survey results showed that 56.8% of 11th
graders,
and 84% of 7th
graders felt that alcohol use by peers was wrong or very wrong
10.2%
21%
24.6%
8.2%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%
2010
2012
Alcohol: 30 Day Use Among Middle
and High School Students
High School
Middle School
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
3.7% 4%
17.4%
13.5%
% of Students who reported Binge
Drinking in Past 30 Days

Tobacco data indicators:
 Tobacco related death
o In 2007, there were a total of 416 deaths in Newaygo County, with 73 of those deaths,
or 17.5%, directly linked to tobacco use1
 Adult smoking rate
o The adult smoking rate in Newaygo County is estimated at 24.7% for 2006 to 2008 1
 Youth who have reported smoking cigarettes within the past 30 days
o In 2008, there were 2.2% of 6th
graders, 10% of 8th
graders, 13.917.3% of 10th
graders,
and 26.4% of 12th
graders in Newaygo County who reportedly smoked cigarettes in the
past 30 days (Prevention Needs Assessment, 2008)
The average
percentage of all
students who
smoked tobacco was
19.9% in 2010 and
13.8% in 2012.
Tobacco use
decreased by 6.1%
from 2010 to 2012
among all students
surveyed (MiPHY
2010, 2012).
 Tobacco compliance check rates
o 3 of the 49 total tobacco vendors in Newaygo County sold tobacco to a minor in the
2010 Compliance Checks (1st
year of baseline check)
o In 2011, the 3 tobacco vendors who were previously non-compliant in 2010 were
rechecked with 100% compliance
o Five of the 47 total tobacco vendors in Newaygo County sold tobacco to a minor in the
2012 Compliance Checks
SYNAR CHECKS 2006-2012
YEAR 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
1
Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention; CDC Wonder Online Database and SAMMEC Online Database, 2009.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
2010 2012
Tobacco: 30 Day Use Among Middle
and High School Students
Middle School
High School

PERCENTAGE SOLD 0% 33% 50% 0% 0% 20% 0%
 Youth perception of peers smoking cigarettes
o 98.2% of 6th
graders, and only 61.7% of 12th
graders in 2008 agreed with the statement “I think it is wrong or very wrong for
someone my age to smoke cigarettes”
o The 2009-10 MiPHY survey results revealed that 68.5% of 11th
graders agreed
o The 2012 MiPHY survey results revealed that 68.6% of 11th
graders,
and 87.3% of 7th
graders reported they believe cigarette use by peers is wrong or very
wrong
Immediate behavioral outcomes achieved by prevention programs and strategies
Diversion Programming Year-End Report
Newaygo County Circuit Courts Ken DeLaat, Diversion Coordinator
Evaluation Measures:
Immediate-10% change in youth attitudes towards the use of substances (pre/post surveys at year end)
The pre-post testing on the 18 ‘graduates’ indicate a self-report of no use of alcohol/drugs among 100%
of those completing the survey.
Intermediate-5% reduction in recidivism among previous juveniles in Diversion Program (juvenile does
not return for the same offense as reported in the year- end report from 2009 to 2012)
In 2009-10, zero juveniles returned to the Drug & Alcohol Diversion program for the same offense; In
2010-11, one juvenile returned; and in 2011-12, zero juveniles returned
Long Term-10% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP data 2015) and 5%
reduction in 30-day use among younger adults (MiPHY survey data 2015-16)
Fiscal Year 2009-2010: 28 participants
TOTAL PARTICIPANTS IN 2011-2012
Diversion Program Number Served Percentage of Total
Drug & Alcohol 24 75%
Tobacco 9 25%
The Drug and Alcohol Diversion Program served 24 participants this fiscal year with six cases still active
and 18 successfully completing the program.
Drug/Alcohol Diversion Number Served Percentage of Total
Active 6 25%
Closed 18 75%
The A/D program involved a total of 24 youths who were referred due to charges of minor in possession
of alcohol, possession of drugs, and other related offenses. After an initial assessment participants are

required to complete a series of activities in order to successfully complete the program. These include
completing 16 hours of community service, taking part in a challenge education course at Camp Henry,
sitting through a series of court sentencing followed by a group discussion with the presiding judge and
attending the Alternate Routes group sessions with their parent/ guardian.
The Alternate Routes groups follow a designed course outline with workbooks for the youth participants
and an accompanying guidebook for parents to follow along. Sessions begin with the two groups
divided as Diversion staff provide information and activities designed to educate both groups on the
dynamics of substance use and abuse as well as enhancing awareness of the far-reaching consequences
from such activity. The youth curriculum serves to promote accountability while using a strength-based
approach to create an atmosphere conducive to change. Focusing on relationships, personal goals, value
clarification and establishing new alternatives to using substances, the course offers the opportunity to
explore new goals and objectives that would lead to a healthier lifestyle.
The parent groups are aimed toward assistance in setting appropriate boundaries, enhancing
communication, dealing with trust issues, and augmenting the parenting skills necessary in meeting the
challenges inherent during the adolescent years.
The groups combine during the final segments of the meetings with activities and exercises designed to
promote communication and develop support for each other.
Six participants remain active in the program with 18 of 18 (100%) successfully completing. The pre-post
testing on the 18 ‘graduates’ indicate a self-report of no use of alcohol/drugs among 100% of those
completing the survey.
The post program evaluations completed by the youth participants yielded the following results:
What did you gain from the program?
o How to make good decisions- 15 of 18 (83%)
o Information on drugs/alcohol- 11 of 18 (61%)
o Help in quitting an alcohol/drug habit 9 of 18 (50%)
Will you use the information from the program to make better decisions?
o 16 of 18 (89%) indicated “Definitely”
o 2 of 18 (11%) indicated “Probably”
Will this program help change the way you and your family work together to address problems?
o 11 of 18 (61%) responded “Definitely”
o 5 of 18 (28%) responded “Probably”
o 2 of 18(11%) responded “Not sure”
Parent surveys
Did you accomplish what you had expected from the program?
o 12 of 14 (86%) indicated ‘Yes”

o 2 of 14 (14%) indicated “Not sure” (Note: One of the ‘Not sure” respondents was a non-
custodial parent who had been to only one of the 4 sessions).
Will this program help change the way you and your family work together to address problems?
o 13 of 14 (93%) indicated “Yes”
o 1 of 14 (7%) indicated “Not sure”
Other parent feedback from the surveys included:
o ”It helped me to not blame her for all of her mistakes but to help her work through them.”
o “The sessions brought us a lot closer.”
o “We learned we need to support on another and communicate better. When we stumble, we
get back up, refocus, learn from it, and move on.”
None of the participants in the Alcohol/Drug Diversion Program have reoffended.
The Tobacco Diversion Program served 9 participants this fiscal year with three cases still active.
Tobacco Diversion Number Served Percentage of Total
Active 3 33.3%
Closed 3 33.4%
Unsuccessful 3 33.3%
Immediate- 10% change in youth attitude towards the use of tobacco (year end pre/post survey)
Post testing on the three successful completions indicates via self-report no further use of tobacco
among 100% of those completing
Intermediate- Continue low rate of sale among tobacco vendors (under 8% in 2012 checks)
9.4% of tobacco vendors sold to a minor in the 2012 tobacco compliance checks
Long Term- Reduction in Tobacco related death in Newaygo County by 10%
(Tobacco related death report) 5% reduction in 30 day use among Newaygo County Seniors (MiPHY
survey 2016-17)
The three students listed as ‘unsuccessful’ were moved to a higher level of court supervision due to
other offenses incurred during their diversion involvement. Students listed as ‘closed’ successfully
completed the program.
The tobacco Diversion Program involves two educational classes along with community service,
assignments such as interviewing two active adult smokers, completing a report on some aspect of
tobacco use, and a final meeting with their parent/guardian.
The Diversion programs give juvenile offenders the opportunity to impact their record through
successful completion. They also provide options toward establishing a healthier lifestyle, improving
family relationships, and acquiring skills which help them establish and meet short and long term goals.
The success of the Drug/Alcohol programming is heavily reliant on the parental involvement. These
parent/child groups not only provide a venue for improving communication between the two but also

serve as a way to determine if further intervention may be required. Referrals for counseling have been
made when interaction in the group process might reveal ancillary issues which could impact the gains
made during the course the program.
The Camp Henry Challenge Education allows participants to form a bond of trust with each other,
challenge perceived limitations they might have imposed on themselves, and develop alternative
problem-solving strategies all the while being reliant on the support of others to achieve the goals set
forth by the course. The high ropes course at the end of the day is attended by parents who frequently
come away from the experience impressed by what they observe their children accomplishing while
providing verbal support to their efforts. This encounter positively impacts the work accomplished in the
groups by the young people who develop an attachment amongst themselves and the parents who are
able to share in the successes of their children.
One young offender spoke at the final meeting of how the experience of being in Diversion had changed
things for him:
“I felt like I was pulling away from my family. I’ve been smoking pot and kind of lost interest in doing
anything with them. I felt like I was in my own world. After I got busted I felt like I had disappointed them
and they were going to be mad at me forever. After the first group my Dad told me how much he cared
for me. That he was mad, but more than mad he was scared for me. He talked about his own recovery
from addiction and how he never wanted me to have to go through what he went through. We started
talking more and spending more time together. Things are better now. I feel like I’m part of the family
again.”
The Diversion programs will persist in finding ways to provide opportunities for these types of changes
by maintaining a strong parental component in its programming. Continual enhancement of services
through ongoing evaluation enables diversion staff to maximize impact, and in doing so not only reduce
recidivism among youthful offenders but substantially lessen the occurrence of underage drinking and
drug use as well as the accompanying family, school, social, and health problems associated with them.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES/MEASURES
Drug/Alcohol Diversion:
Goals: To reduce the level of drug/alcohol use among youth.
Objective: To educate youth about the negative health and legal ramifications of illegal drug/alcohol
use, and to increase a sense of worth and communication in the individual, the family, and the
community in which to reduce the amount of underage drinking and drug use.
Activities: The Drug/Alcohol Diversion Program components currently included are: Initial and final
meeting, a signed contract, Challenge Education Course (Camp Henry), Impact Program (Observation of
Court proceedings), four Alternate Routes (parent/participant) classes, Community Service, mandatory
behavior specifications, and fees.
Measures: Pre and post testing (surveys) are currently being implemented as to indicate accurate
measurement for success.
Tobacco Diversion:
Goals: To reduce the level of tobacco use among youth.

Objective: To educate youth about the negative health and legal ramifications of illegal tobacco use,
and to increase a sense of worth and communication in the individual, the family, and the community in
which to reduce the amount of tobacco use.
Activities: The Tobacco Diversion Program components currently included are: Initial and final meeting,
a signed contract, Two Educational Classes, Community Service, behavior specifications, and fees.
Measures: Pre and post testing (surveys) are currently being implemented as to indicate accurate
measurement for success.
DIVERSION STAFF CONTINUUM
 The Diversion Program Coordinator Ken DeLaat, continues to seek potential enhancement of all
Diversion Programs.
Prevention Groups Year-End Report
Arbor Circle Counseling Agency Program Manager, Roger Wiegers
Immediate- 10% change in youth attitude towards substance use (pre/post survey at 2011-12 year end)
Pre/post survey showed a 91% increase of students attitude towards substance use/abuse in 2011-12
Intermediate-5% reduction in 30-day consumption rates among younger adults (MiPHY survey data in
2013-14)
100% of the planned twenty prevention groups in all five school districts in Newaygo County were
completed in 2011-12. These groups are targeting youth who are at risk in areas such as substance
abuse, mental health, bullying, suicidal ideation and other behavior problems. School staff members
identify participating students and secure consent to treat forms from parents. There are six one-hour
groups, and they take place at the school. Arbor Circle also focuses on identifying students who may
need a higher level of care, completing an intake procedure for those students, and seeing the students
for treatment at the school.
Numbers:
 All 20 groups were completed as written in the 2011-12 Implementation Plan
 Groups included 67 girls and 41 boys for a total of 108 students during 2010-11 with 20 students
identified as needing a higher level of care and seen individually
 Groups included 71 girls and 41 boys for a total of 112 students during 2011-12 with 16 students
identified as needing a higher level of care and seen individually
In speaking with school staff at the end of the year, the suggestion was made that two specific groups be
started in the fall of 2012. These groups include students transitioning from elementary to middle
school and students transitioning from middle school to high school. School counselors are extremely
busy monitoring state testing at the beginning of the year and have requested assistance with the
specified groups.
Barriers:
Barriers were identified during the first two years of the program, and the process of establishing groups
is working exceptionally well.
Deviations:

There were no deviations as Arbor Circle continues to use the evidenced-based program, ‘Say It
Straight’.
Party Patrol Year-End Report
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office- Lt. Chad Palmiter
Immediate- 5% reduction in alcohol related traffic fatalities in younger adults (OHSP 2011)
In youth ages 16-20, there was a 3% decrease among alcohol related crashes from 2007 to 2011
Intermediate-5% reduction in 30-day consumption rates among younger adults (MiPHY survey data in
2013-14)
Beginning in May, the Sheriff’s Office began conducting enforcement zones within the county to combat
the use of alcohol amongst minors and parents who host. High visibility patrols were scheduled for
Deputies to check on graduation parties, known party locations (from data over previous years), Silent
Observer tips and information from the school districts. Deputies checked multiple parties and
campgrounds. A total of 36 citations for Minors In Possession (MIP) and 4 citations for parents hosting
under-age drinking parties were issued in 2011 as a result of these efforts from May-September. Of the
36 minors, two were under the age of 16 and referred to the diversion program through the Circuit
Court. In 2012 16 MIP citations were issued. Of these violations, five youth were under the age of 16
and were referred to the diversion program at Circuit Court. A total of 30 hours were spent on patrols.
The Sheriff’s Office has been
able to spend more valuable
time checking party locations
and investigating leads with
funds provided through the
MSSAC grant. On weekends
throughout the summer, many
of these leads would have gone
unfounded due to time spent on
high priority incidences. Funding
has allowed offices to
concentrate their entire
scheduled shift on MIP Patrol
efforts.
Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Checks Year-End Report
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office- Lt. Chad Palmiter
4
36
21
16
5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Parent Citation M.I.P. Diversion
Referral
2011
2012
Newaygo County
Sheriff’s Office
Party Patrol
Results

Alcohol Compliance: The Sheriff’s Office, along with an underage decoy, conducted alcohol compliance
checks on 69 Newaygo County vendors in 2011. The four vendors who were issued citations for selling
to a minor were rechecked in 2012 with 100% compliance.
Immediate- No repeat sales to underage youth during the 2012 re-checks to vendors that sold in 2010
There were no repeat sales among vendors who were non-compliant in the 2010 alcohol compliance
checks
Intermediate-5% reduction in vendors that were compliant from 2010 baseline checks (2013 checks)
Tobacco Compliance: In 2011, the three tobacco vendors who were previously non-compliant in 2010
were rechecked with 100% compliance. The Sheriff’s Office completed checks on 47 tobacco vendors in
Newaygo County in 2012. Five establishments were found non-compliant and issued citations.
Immediate- no repeat sales to underage youth in re-checks among tobacco vendors that sold in 2010
(re-checks in 2011)
There were no repeat sales among vendors who were non-compliance in the 2010 tobacco compliance
checks
Intermediate- Continue low rate of sale among tobacco vendors (under 8% in 2011-12 checks)
9.4% of tobacco vendors sold to a minor in the 2012 tobacco compliance checks
Long Term- Reduction in Tobacco related death in Newaygo County by 10%
(Tobacco related death report) 5% reduction in 30 day use among Newaygo County Seniors (MiPHY
survey 2016-17)
SYSTEM OUTCOMES
Membership/ Affiliate Attendance: During the 2011-12 fiscal year, 55 MOUs were signed, including 30
youth. Attendance records for monthly meetings and trainings are kept on file with the Coordinator.
Regular attendance at monthly meetings averaged 16 individuals. Agendas were emailed to SSAPA
members with meeting reminders. Meeting minutes and Coordinator’s Reports were uploaded to the
SSAPA website for those who could not attend. In addition, Coordinator’s reports were emailed to
school staff to share with their networks.
System alignment achievements:
The Newaygo County SSAPA works continuously towards aligning prevention systems. Currently, the
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office is working to refer all juveniles, ages 16 and under, ticketed with an
MIP (Minor In Possession) to the Newaygo County Courts Diversionary Programs. The Newaygo County
Courts and the Arbor Circle Counseling Agency are continually working on a best plan for referral of the
students in their Diversionary Programs or Prevention Groups to move to a higher level of care, if
needed, to an agency in Newaygo County that best fits the students’ needs. These referrals are viewed
as one-on-one counseling services that may be provided by our Newaygo County Community Mental
Health provider, the Arbor Circle Counseling Agency, or The Farm Where Living Things Grow. SSAPA is
committed to furthering Newaygo County’s prevention system through the alignment of current
services.

AFFILIATE EVALUATION
On June 5th
, 2012 the Executive Council reviewed the Mid South Prevention Department’s Coalition
Effectiveness Evaluation Rubric completed in 2011. The results below indicate strengths of the affiliate’s
effectiveness as well as improvements in 2012 (indicated in blue)
Areas of strength indicated by a ‘high’ rating:
 Local Focus – a comprehensive needs assessment is conducted and targets problems based on
these priorities AND funding is pursued based on local priorities
 Knowledge Transfer- Most coalition members have a thorough understanding of effective
evidence-based prevention programs, policies, and practices
 Collaboration – the coalition meets regularly to monitor prevention programs and activities,
plan future strategies to evaluate the current prevention system and its service array based on
identified needs
 Member Participation and Turnover – members have broad-based community representation
and most have been active two or more years. Special efforts are made to recruit, retain, and
recognize member contribution
 Formalization – meets regularly with leadership for planning purposes, has a comprehensive
work plan, by-laws, budget, project staff, AND is action oriented, focused, and purposeful in all
meetings
 Resources – multiple sources of funding are provided via direct and in-kind sources have been
used for two or more years
 Communication – regular, systematic, and ongoing communication methods are used to keep
members informed (minutes, email, updates, newsletters, website, etc)
 Organizational Structure – two or more subcommittees with five or more members addressing
specific coalition goals and objectives
 Common Vision/Mission – the coalition has adopted a vision/mission statements that is heavily
promoted on coalition documents and produces and regularly reviews and revisits it to guide
decisions and priorities
 Conflict Resolution – conflict and tension emerges occasionally, but is resolved in creative,
productive ways that make the organization healthier
 Domination – multiple groups or organizations have input and carry out the work
 Strategic Planning Process – a systematic, transparent, and inclusive process of conducting
needs assessment, reviewing priorities, and developing programs and strategies with
established mechanisms to evaluate outcomes is incorporated into a formal plan presented to
the community
 Comprehensive Plan – a comprehensive plan that includes the use of data-driven logic models is
developed and formally adopted by the coalition and community
 Research-based Programs, Policies and Practices – programs, policies, and practices sponsored
or supported by the coalition are research-based and have been proven effective for the target
population

 IOM Classification – programs sponsored by the coalition are primarily focused on the universal
population with selected focus when appropriate
 Results Oriented – places high value and appropriate resources on evaluation as a way to
demonstrate progress and effectiveness. Use evaluation results for leveraging resources and
partnerships
 Coalition Process Outcome Evaluation – annually collects information regarding pre-determined
process outcomes and reviews impact in Evaluation Report (such as new partnerships, funding,
grant proposals written, policy changes, etc)
 Community Impact Evaluation – community level data is collected and widely used for internal
purposes as well as engaging the community through key indicators, indicator documents, and
to review outcomes, goals and achievements
 Program Evaluation – programs supported by the coalition are evaluated using process and
behavioral outcome data to speak to the effectiveness of the program
 Program Outcome Evaluation – program outcome data is collected and shared with coalition
and program staff. Program changes and additional recommendations are made as a result of
this data
 Structure/Organization – the coalition has direct oversight of prevention programs and
activities. Significant amounts of the coalition meeting time are used to discuss and monitor
major prevention activities
 Communication – coalition members are highly knowledgeable of prevention programs and
activities, and actively involved I supporting them, making referrals, and identify additional
resources as needed
Areas of weakness indicated by a “low” rating in 2011 and reviewed in 2012:
 Broad-based representation – the coalition has one or two organizations or groups addressing
the ATOD problem: moved to a ‘high’ rating in 2012, as the SSAPA has representation from
minority groups in Newaygo County
 Community Engagement – the community rarely hears about coalition programs and activities:
moved to a ‘medium’ rating in 2012, as SSAPA information is shared weekly on Facebook,
monthly on the website, monthly with school personnel and their networks and quarterly in
local newspaper articles
 Leadership – little or no participation or commitment from a high profile community leader:
moved to a ‘medium-high’ rating in 2012 as at least one high profile community leader
participates as a member of SSAPA, and additional leaders know about and advocate for
SSAPA activities and issues
The rubric was shared with SSAPA members at the June 2012 meeting, and a Roll Call Vote was held at
the July 2012 SSAPA meeting for submission with the 2012-2013 Implementation Plan.
IDENTIFIED NEXT STEPS
Plans for Evaluation

The Suicide & Substance Abuse Prevention Affiliate plans to exemplify a standard when pertaining to
suicide and substance abuse prevention for the residents of Newaygo County. In order to set this
precedence, a precise evaluation plan is needed to ensure that Newaygo County has exemplary
programs, policies, and practices. The following is a list of the measures that must be taken in order for
needed change and accountability of programs:
 Logic Model Evaluation measures that are data driven, reliable, valid and measurable over time
 Agencies receiving funding will report monthly to fellow affiliate members with up-dates on
programming, number of population served, outcomes, and barriers
 Agencies receiving funding will report quarterly to CEI with up-dates on progress, barriers,
numbers served, and outcomes of programming
 Agencies receiving funding will provide a year-end outcome report to the Coordinator and will
share that report with the Affiliate members. This report will include: a brief overview of
program, process outcomes such as major successes and achievements, behavioral outcomes
from the programming, data to support the program including the number served, the final cost
of the program per resident, and the barriers encountered
 Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, as the Fiduciary Agent, will provide a
year-end outcome Evaluation report including: County overview, funding streams, process
outcomes, behavioral outcomes, system outcomes, coalition evaluation report, barriers
encountered and future plans
 The SSAPA members are also expected to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the affiliate
as well as opportunities to move the affiliate forward
Affiliate’s next steps in achieving sustainability of Newaygo County’s Prevention system
To provide a complete substance abuse prevention force in Newaygo County the SSAPA must look to
additional funding streams supplemental to CEI’s generous funding. Suicide and Substance Abuse
Prevention is vital to providing caring and contributing citizens in this community. The affiliate will stay
committed to providing exceptional programs, practices, and policies to promote a sustainable
prevention system. The SSAPA plans to identify additional grant funding sources that align with its
programs, practices, and policies in accordance with the SSAPA strategic plan to seek additional funding
for in the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and beyond. The Executive Council will review scores from the Drug
Free Communities Grant submitted in March 2012 and re-submit in 2013. Affiliate members have also
expressed interest and a need for a grant to obtain suicide prevention services for county populations
aged 25+.

Substance Abuse Newaygo, Michigan

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