A Conceptual and Large-Scale Empirical Examination of the Welcoming Empowerment Monitoring Approach (WEMA) for School Safety and Substance Use Reduction

Ron Avi Astor; Rami Benbenishty; Kate R. Watson

doi:10.1177/1049731521998425

A Conceptual and Large-Scale Empirical Examination of the Welcoming Empowerment Monitoring Approach (WEMA) for School Safety and Substance Use Reduction

Ron Avi Astor
, Rami Benbenishty
, Kate R. Watson

University of California at Los Angeles
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Universidad Andrés Bello

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Research shows that many evidence-based school programs are not sustained after the demonstration period is complete. This article outlines the Welcoming Empowerment Monitoring Approach and builds on data at each school—to address school safety and reduce substance use. Method: The study used California Healthy Kids Survey data across 145 schools in Southern California at five points in time over an 8-year period. Results: From project inception through 3 years after the project completed, all manifestations of school victimization dropped and were sustained. Lifetime alcohol and marijuana use also declined for all students during the overall period assessed. Discussion: Schools, districts, and regions tailored interventions according to each school’s and region’s specific needs. Combinations of ground-up solutions, evidence-based programs, building internal capacity, and connecting the school to resources helped reduce victimization and substance use.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	454-468
Number of pages	15
Journal	Research on Social Work Practice
Volume	31
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731521998425
State	Published - Jul 2021
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021.

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article: This work was supported by Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership Program Grants: HE1254-10-1-0041 and HE1254-13-1-0017.

Funders	Funder number
Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership Program	HE1254-10-1-0041, HE1254-13-1-0017

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

empowerment approach
evidence-based programs
school safety
substance use reduction

Access to Document

10.1177/1049731521998425

Cite this

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abstract = "Purpose: Research shows that many evidence-based school programs are not sustained after the demonstration period is complete. This article outlines the Welcoming Empowerment Monitoring Approach and builds on data at each school—to address school safety and reduce substance use. Method: The study used California Healthy Kids Survey data across 145 schools in Southern California at five points in time over an 8-year period. Results: From project inception through 3 years after the project completed, all manifestations of school victimization dropped and were sustained. Lifetime alcohol and marijuana use also declined for all students during the overall period assessed. Discussion: Schools, districts, and regions tailored interventions according to each school{\textquoteright}s and region{\textquoteright}s specific needs. Combinations of ground-up solutions, evidence-based programs, building internal capacity, and connecting the school to resources helped reduce victimization and substance use.",

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A Conceptual and Large-Scale Empirical Examination of the Welcoming Empowerment Monitoring Approach (WEMA) for School Safety and Substance Use Reduction

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this