Preferred Family Healthcare is proud to continue as a provider in the Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Resources Initiative (SPIRIT). Once a pilot project, this successfully proven school-based substance abuse prev ention program will remain in Knox County R-1 School District and four other districts across the state.

At Knox County R-1, a range of evidence-based prevention curricula is taught in grades Kindergarten through 12. It's the intent of the Department of Mental Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to grow this initiative and expand to more schools across the state.

The SPIRIT program is evaluated annually by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health. Participation in the evaluation aspect is voluntary for students. Evaluation is necessary for several reasons but mostly because it allows us to understand what works and why. Various methods of evaluation are used: teacher observation checklists, healthy kids surveys and the Missouri Public School Student Substance Use and Risk/Protective Factors Survey.

Across the state, SPIRIT programming impacts youth in a positive way. Over a three-year sample, students improved their decision making skills; became more aware of the dangers of drugs; and had a significant drop in bullying and shoving/hitting. Teachers report that SPIRIT staff has proven instrumental when assisting them to address difficult issues.

1. To maximize every school-aged child's readiness to learn as a result of being free from the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse;
2. To delay age of first use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
3. To promote safety in Missouri 's classrooms by reducing the incidence of substance abuse and related acts of violence;
4. To strengthen and support families in order to minimize the risks for youth of substance abuse;
5. To intervene early with children at greatest risk for substance abuse;
6. To refer children with substance abuse problems to appropriate treatment services to prevent further adverse consequences;
7. To ensure that strategies for school-based services are cost-effective, with measurable goals and outcomes.

PeaceBuilders (Grade K-5) is an elementary school- based project to reduce physical and verbal aggression by creating a “culture of peace” within the school environment. Throughout the school year, students are taught to interact socially in a positive way through various methods such as modeling, role-playing, and self-monitoring. PeaceBuilders has six main principles: Praise People, Give Up Put Downs, Notice Hurts, Right Wrongs, Seek Wise People, and Help Others. It also focuses on “Banish Bullying”.

Life Skills Training Program (Grade 6-8) consists of a 3-year prevention curriculum intended for middle school or junior high students. The content focuses on the following three major content areas: drug resistance skills and information, self-management skills, and general social skills.

Project Towards No Drug Abuse (Grade 9) is an interactive program designed to help high school youth resist substance abuse. It also teaches them increased coping and self-control skills by making them aware of misleading information that facilitates drug use. It helps students develop skills that encourage them bond to lower-risk environments, plus encourages them to understand the physical consequences that drug use may have on their lives.

Reconnecting Youth (Grade 9-12) is a school-based prevention program that targets young people who face academic challenges and may drop out of school as a result. These students may also suffer from depression and/or substance abuse. The program equips students with skills to build resiliency and curbs the early signs of substance abuse.

SPIRIT staff is involved with many big events throughout the year that are enjoyed by students and parents alike. Some include:

Muffins for Moms
Donuts for Dads
Daddy/Daughter Dance
Mother/Son Pirate Adventure
Farm Bureau Safety Day
PTO School Carnival
Captain Magic & Harlem Swish Comedy Basketball Team
Monthly Principal’s Peacebuilder Luncheon
Honorary Soaring Eagles Basketball Team
University Extension Teen Adventure Challenge
NMCAA Back to School Fair
Knox County Interagency Health Fair
NMCAA Youth Summit
Knox County Homecoming Parade

SPIRIT Staff
Ericka Klingner, Prevention Programs Administrator
Amy Miller, Project Coordinator
Staci Eleazarraraz, Prevention Coordinator
Office Location: High School Room 7
(660) 397-3379
Please contact us anytime!