#1082
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 06:33:23 -0600
From: Nolan Langweil <nolan@SELWAY.UMT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
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Hello Hedir-ites,
I just came across a posting from Mark Temple from July 26th about the
discontinuation of the CDC's "Programs that Work." Please excuse me if
there has already been discussion on this and/or if I am bringing up
points that have already been expressed and addressed.
One can't help but speculate if the reason for the discontinuation of this
(which by the way, I felt was a very helpful tool) has something to do
with the current Administrations adamant refusal to except the success of
programs such as needle exchange, condom machines/free condoms in schools,
sex education in schools, etc. and belief that abstinence-only is the only
solution.
Anyway, I felt like I had to say something. Thanks for listening.
Nolan Langweil, MS
Director of Research
New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199
On Fri, 26 Jul 2002, Mark A. Temple wrote:
> **
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>
> I was searching the CDC - DASH website for information regarding "Programs
> That Work" when I encountered the following message:
>
> >Programs that Work
> >Thank you for your interest in Programs that Work (PTW). The CDC has
> >discontinued PTW and is considering a new process that is more responsive
> >to changing needs and concerns of state and local education and health
> >agencies and community organizations. Watch this space for further
> >information about how we will assist communities in identifying effective
> >and appropriate health risk reduction programs for youth.
> >You may obtain more information about how to contact the developer of a
> >curriculum previously identified as a Program that Works by calling CDC
> >DASH Information Service at
> >1-888-231-6405.
>
> http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/rtc/
>
>
> I was wondering if anyone has more information on the discontinuation of PTW.
>
>
>
> **************************************************
> Dr. Mark A. Temple
>
> Assistant Professor of Health Education
> Illinois State University
> Campus Mail 5220
> Normal, IL 61790-5220
>
> matempl@ilstu.edu
> (309) 438-2324 Work
> (309) 438-2450 FAX
> http://www.cast.ilstu.edu/temple/menu.htm
>
> **************************************************
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------------------------------
#1083
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 10:44:59 -0400
From: Walter Hanks <walt.hanks@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
** www.hedir.org/lunch
**
I stayed out of this issue when Mark brought it up, but I think I want
to add a diferent perspective this time. I am looking at this as
someone who has been forced by the state legislature to operate under
the guidelines set forth in the "Programs that Work for Tobacco
Prevention." I have to tell you, I was glad to see the program die.
Here's why:
First, the PTW evaluation process was highly politicized. Several
different high level CDC people who served as authors on one or more of
these standards told me on different occasions that the recommendations
were more about what was politically acceptable than what was
scientifically valid.
The preface to the PTW for Tobacco even acknowledges the weekness of
the recommendations, stating that there is little science to back them
up. Yet, many state legislatures, at the urging of the CDC, mandated
that their Health Departments follow PTW when doing health
programming. So much for evidence-based prevention!
Second, the PTW process was never complete. For example, as part of
the program the CDC was supposed to evaluate school-based prevention
programs and certify those that had sufficient evidence for their use.
Unfortunately, while there were many programs available with a lot of
evaluation data, the CDC never had the staff to complete the process.
This left those of us working in the field with no approved programs
for pre-school, elementary, or high school. With the legislative
handcuffs we were forced to wear, we were hindered in our attempts to
fund prevention programs at these grade levels, even though high
quality evaluation data was available for the programs we wanted to
fund.
The bottom line is that PTW was a program that sounded all warm and
fuzzy to academics and politicians, but didn't meet the real needs of
those of us involved in the day-to-day battle with the tobacco
industry. In fact, it made our work a lot harder. You have to look
below the surface if you really want to tell what's going on.
YMHO
Walt Hanks
----- Original Message -----
From: Nolan Langweil <nolan@SELWAY.UMT.EDU>
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 8:33 am
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
> Hello Hedir-ites,
>
> I just came across a posting from Mark Temple from July 26th about the
> discontinuation of the CDC's "Programs that Work." Please excuse
> me if
> there has already been discussion on this and/or if I am bringing up
> points that have already been expressed and addressed.
>
> One can't help but speculate if the reason for the discontinuation
> of this
> (which by the way, I felt was a very helpful tool) has something
> to do
> with the current Administrations adamant refusal to except the
> success of
> programs such as needle exchange, condom machines/free condoms in
> schools,sex education in schools, etc. and belief that abstinence-
> only is the only
> solution.
>
------------------------------
#1084
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 12:36:15 -0400
From: Susan Wooley <swooley@ASHAWEB.ORG>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
** www.hedir.org/lunch
**
Now I feel compelled to speak up.
When I was at CDC, I was very involved in setting up the criteria and the
process for selecting curricula.
I am unsure to whom Walter spoke, but I was there.
First, I am not sure what Walter means by guidelines set forth in
Programs that Work for Tobacco. The Programs that Work identified by
CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC/DASH)
did not include guidelines. He might be referring to guidelines for funded
programs
by the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, which is a totally different program.
The CDC/DASH Programs that Work were curricula identified through the process
described below
(and in the April 2003 issue of the Journal of School Health).
To be eligible for consideration, a curriculum had to have been evaluated and
results of the evaluation had to have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The DASH Programs that Work (which is what was discontinued) did not include
guidelines.
The identification of curricula was in response to requests from people in the
field for help
in locating credible curricula. CDC/DASH never required anyone to use them.
Each curriculum that was considered for inclusion as a
Program that Works by CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH)
underwent review by 2 groups of experts.
The first consisted of researchers/evaluators with experience in program
evaluation --
none of whom were involved in studies of any of the programs to be considered.
We looked for a variety of strengths -- research design, the content area
(tobacco, reproductive health),
statistics, school-based program evaluation, evaluation of youth-directed
programs.
Each group had at least 5 people who were not federal employees.
The federal staff served as facilitators and did not vote.
Each reviewer of the published research studies, commented on:
sampling
appropriateness of control or comparison group
strength of findings (effect size; real differences vs. statistical)
appropriateness of statistical analysis
strength of research design
etc.
The bottom line question was: are you confident that the program had credible
evidence of effectiveness --
i.e. the design was robust enough to have confidence in the findings and the
findings were
significant.
Over the years that I was at CDC, we convened 4 groups of evaluation/research
expert, with only one person serving on more
than one of the groups. In some cases, programs that were not accepted were
resubmitted for consideration
by a second group.
Every participant in evaluation reviews commented after participating that they
were impressed by the rigor of the process.
All felt they learned a lot that would inform the research they conducted.
All had conducted research and had several research publications.
The second review was by program people to get their opinion about the
feasibility of implementing
the program in the "real world."
In no case in which I was involved, was the recommendation of the outside
experts overridden by
people within CDC.
----
Susan Wooley
American School Health Association
7263 State Route 43, P. O. Box 708
Kent, OH 44240 USA
330-678-1601; FAX 330-678-4526
swooley@ashaweb.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Walter Hanks [SMTP:walt.hanks@COMCAST.NET]
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 10:45 AM
To: HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
** www.hedir.org/lunch
**
I stayed out of this issue when Mark brought it up, but I think I want
to add a diferent perspective this time. I am looking at this as
someone who has been forced by the state legislature to operate under
the guidelines set forth in the "Programs that Work for Tobacco
Prevention." I have to tell you, I was glad to see the program die.
Here's why:
First, the PTW evaluation process was highly politicized. Several
different high level CDC people who served as authors on one or more of
these standards told me on different occasions that the recommendations
were more about what was politically acceptable than what was
scientifically valid.
The preface to the PTW for Tobacco even acknowledges the weekness of
the recommendations, stating that there is little science to back them
up. Yet, many state legislatures, at the urging of the CDC, mandated
that their Health Departments follow PTW when doing health
programming. So much for evidence-based prevention!
Second, the PTW process was never complete. For example, as part of
the program the CDC was supposed to evaluate school-based prevention
programs and certify those that had sufficient evidence for their use.
Unfortunately, while there were many programs available with a lot of
evaluation data, the CDC never had the staff to complete the process.
This left those of us working in the field with no approved programs
for pre-school, elementary, or high school. With the legislative
handcuffs we were forced to wear, we were hindered in our attempts to
fund prevention programs at these grade levels, even though high
quality evaluation data was available for the programs we wanted to
fund.
The bottom line is that PTW was a program that sounded all warm and
fuzzy to academics and politicians, but didn't meet the real needs of
those of us involved in the day-to-day battle with the tobacco
industry. In fact, it made our work a lot harder. You have to look
below the surface if you really want to tell what's going on.
YMHO
Walt Hanks
----- Original Message -----
From: Nolan Langweil <nolan@SELWAY.UMT.EDU>
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 8:33 am
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
> Hello Hedir-ites,
>
> I just came across a posting from Mark Temple from July 26th about the
> discontinuation of the CDC's "Programs that Work." Please excuse
> me if
> there has already been discussion on this and/or if I am bringing up
> points that have already been expressed and addressed.
>
> One can't help but speculate if the reason for the discontinuation
> of this
> (which by the way, I felt was a very helpful tool) has something
> to do
> with the current Administrations adamant refusal to except the
> success of
> programs such as needle exchange, condom machines/free condoms in
> schools,sex education in schools, etc. and belief that abstinence-
> only is the only
> solution.
>
** Advertise Jobs On The HEDIR
** http://www.hpcareer.net/hedir.cfm
**
** Celebrate National Health Education Week
** Oct 21-27, 2002
**
------------------------------
#1085
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 13:14:36 -0400
From: Walter Hanks <walt.hanks@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
** <http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm>
**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
** www.hedir.org/lunch
**
Interesting response Susan. So, are you saying that when the CDC team
wrote the section giving direction on minimum and maximum funding
levels, those weren't "guidelines?" How about the section indicating
how the funding should be allocated?
It may not have been the CDCs intention to create "guidelines," but
that was how they were viewed by the politicians who chose to mandate
their use. In Maryland, the PTW publication was even regularly
referred to as a "planning model."
Now, I am not saying that I disagree with everything in the PTW
documents. I don't. I am just saying that they shouldn't have been
used the way they were used. Obviuosly, the authors knew how week the
tobacco recommendations were, since they put a strongly worded
disclaimer in the preface.
As for the school-based prevention curriculums, there are several
publishers of widely used and heavily evaluated curricula who did not
submit their ATOD curriculums to the CDC for review, simply because
another well established independant organization was already doing the
same thing and the school districts were already using their
recommendations, not the CDCs.
Nevertheless, I can't tell you how many times I heard CDC staff and
senior Health Department staff say that, "If it isn't CDC approved, it
doesn't work." That just is not always true. I also had to deal with
school district leaders who wanted to know who the heck we were to be
telling them what to do. It lead to many very stressful confrontations.
I have no doubt that the programs that were approved are good
programs. I just disagree with the notion that they are the only good
programs out there.
Anyway, I am gratefully out of it now, so I guess I will go back to
work and not say any more. Sorry if I upset you. I just wish we would
all acknowledge that there were problems and there might have been good
reasons for discontinuing the program before we start ranting about
White House interference.
Oh, and one last thought. If PTW was so science based, where's the
science showing that following PTW led to effective programming?
Walt Hanks
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Wooley <swooley@ASHAWEB.ORG>
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 12:36 pm
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
> Now I feel compelled to speak up.
> When I was at CDC, I was very involved in setting up the criteria
> and the process for selecting curricula.
> I am unsure to whom Walter spoke, but I was there.
>
------------------------------
#1086
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 10:46:21 -0700
From: Mark Fulop <fulopm@NWREL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Discontinuation of "Programs That Work"
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
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**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
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**
Walter, I am not sure what specific document you are referring to but I
would join with Susan in expressing my puzzlement. It seems that you are
referring to either the "Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control
Programs" document or the "Guidelines for School Health Programs - Prevent
Tobacco Use" Neither of these documents are part of the Programs that Work.
As far as the Programs that Work (PTW), I could not say it more eloquently
than Susan said it. In the 2.5 years I worked at ETR Associates, I had the
pleasure of working with some of the intelligentsia that worked on PTW in a
couple of different content areas. I too, understand the real unbiased
assessment and research rigor that the PTW process reflects. I would add a
couple of additional thoughts:
1. ETR maintains a programs that work section of their RECAPP website for
curriculum that show evidence of changing adolescent sexual risk-taking
behavior: http://www.etr.org/recapp/programs
2. In addition, EDC has a programs that work section on their National
training Partnership website: http://www2.edc.org/NTP/ptwbanner.asp
3. Finally, for more evidence of the closing of the mind related to this
administration, I had already posted the link to WA Post article that
mentions the discontinuation of PTW at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24722-2002Sep30.html but
there is another article relating to the Dept of Justice pulling in control
of justice related statistics that appeared in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/22/national/22CRIM.html (see also commentary
in St Petersburg Times
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/27/news_pf/Opinion/Ashcroft_s_control.shtml)
I have recently pulled "Rules for Radicals" off of my shelf and have been
re-reading it and my, my , my, the words penned back in the 60-70's are as
relevant and pointed and important today. In the preface Saul Alinsky
frames the book by stating:
"From time to time there have been external enemies at our gates; there has
always been the enemy within, the hidden and malignant inertia that
foreshadows more certain destruction to our life and future than any nuclear
warhead. There can be no darker or more devastating tragedy than the death
of man's faith in himself and in his power to direct his future."
elsewhere he states, "it is not enough just to elect your candidates. You
must keep the pressure on. Radicals should remember to keep in mind
Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to a reform delegation, 'Okay, you have
convinced me. Now go out and bring pressure on me!' Action comes from
keeping the heat on."
So how many of us health educators and academics are out there raising hell?
Mark Fulop, MA, MPH
Portland, OR
------------------------------
#1087
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 12:57:26 -0500
From: "Mark J. Kittleson, Ph.D., FAAHB" <kittle@SIU.EDU>
Subject: Late Breaker for the Scientific Meeting
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
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Been asked to forward this to the HEDIR.
> > Dear Research Colleague:
> >
> > Please click on the following website
> > http://www.aahb.org/brochure2003.pdf to see the completed announcement
> > and registration materials for the Scientific Meeting of the American
> > Academy of Health Behavior III, titled "State of the Art in Health
> > Behavior Research," which is to be held on March 16-19, 2003 at the
> > elegant Casa Monica Hotel in one of the nation's most beautiful and
> > historic cities, St. Augustine, Florida. Please note that in addition to
> > links for on-line registration for the Scientific Meeting and Hotel
> > reservations, there is also a link for submitting an abstract for a Late
> > Breaker Poster Research Session due January 3, 2003.
> >
> > This is a truly unique opportunity to interact and network with the
> > country's leading health behavior researchers in an informal and friendly
> > venue. Special small group networking and learning opportunities are being
> > planned during breakfast, lunch and dinner with many of our invited
> > keynote speakers and other Academy dignitaries, as well as unique
> > recreational activities taking advantage of the city's exceptional
> > architecture, distinctive culture, art and food, and the many beautiful
> > waterways and beaches in the region.
> >
> > Attendance is limited to the first 150 registrants. I hope you'll
> > join us in St. Augustine!
> >
> >
> >
Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB
Professor, Health Education
Graduate Director, Health Education & Recreation
Home Page: www.kittle.siu.edu
The HEDIR Home Page: www.hedir.org
The IEJHE: www.iejhe.org
------------------------------
#1088
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 15:13:32 -0500
From: "Wilfert, Mary" <mwilfert@NCAA.ORG>
Subject: FW: 2003 APPLE Conferences
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
** The Exclusive Sponsor of the HEDIR
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**
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**
2003 APPLE Conference (Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership =
Education)=20
The University of Virginia invites NCAA affiliated schools from all =
divisions to send teams of 4-6 members (including student athletes) to =
one of the two APPLE conferences being held in Charlottesville, Virginia =
on January 24-26 and February 7-9, 2003.=20
Hotel accommodations, meals, and conference materials are substantially =
funded by a grant from the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and =
Medical Aspects of Sports. To supplement NCAA funding, there will be a =
$75 registration fee per school.=20
Therefore, the only financial responsibility institutions have is =
transportation to and from Charlottesville and the $75 registration fee. =
=20
By participating in the APPLE conference, attendees will have:=20
Improved relationships between administrators and student athletes=20
Increased understanding of the APPLE model=20
Increased confidence in ability to impact substance abuse problems=20
Increased confidence in ability to confront teammates=20
Increased student leadership skills=20
Increased knowledge of Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug issues for =
student-athletes=20
Increased knowledge of effective Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug =
prevention programs=20
A SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-dependent) =
action plan=20
20 Continuing Education Units are available for athletic trainers.=20
For further information and to register your team, visit our website at: =
http://www.virginia.edu/case=20
Thanks! We look forward to seeing you this year at APPLE!=20
************************************************=20
Paige Allen Hawkins=20
Center for Alcohol and Substance Education (CASE)=20
Office of the Dean of Students=20
University of Virginia=20
P.O. Box 800139=20
Charlottesville, Virginia 22908=20
phone - 434.924.5276=20
fax - 434.982.3671
------------------------------
#1089
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 17:45:27 -0400
From: nfb <nfb@GWU.EDU>
Subject: CHHCS News Alerts: Medicare/Medicaid Office Will Enforce HIPAA
Transactions Rules/U.S. Ed Dept Creates Office of Safe and Drug-Free
Schools
** The Leader in Health Education-AAHE
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**
** Join Us For the HEDIR Luncheon
** www.hedir.org/lunch
**
CHHCS News Alerts 10/16/02
Medicare/Medicaid Office Will Enforce HIPAA Transactions Rules:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced October 15
that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in HHS will be
responsible for enforcing transaction and code set standards under the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
http://www.healthinschools.org/2002/oct16_alert.asp
U.S. Education Department Creates Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools:
U.S. Education Department Secretary Rod Paige recently announced that
the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, formerly located within the
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, will become a
free-standing principal office, headed by a new Deputy Under Secretary.
http://www.healthinschools.org/2002/oct15_alert.asp
Web Manager
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS)
http://www.healthinschools.org
CHHCS News Alerts: Medicare/Medicaid Office Will Enforce HIPAA Transactions
Rules/U.S. Ed Dept Creates Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
------------------------------