Club HERO

Club HERO is a multicomponent afterschool program designed to prevent youths’ drug use; increase knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD); improve ATOD refusal skills; increase perception and societal norms to discourage ATOD use; increase youths’ academic achievement; increase homework completion; increase feelings of support; improve attitudes about school and school bonding; increase parental involvement; improve community involvement; raise expectations for actions at home and at school; decrease disciplinary actions at home and at school; decrease sense of helplessness regarding social and environmental factors; increase of bonding of families to school; and increase resistance skills by youths.

Club HERO was designed to help parents, teachers, and the community prevent children from entering the drug culture. The program has several principle components:

1. Student reward system
2. Homework/tutorial assistance
3. Drug education course
4. Introduction to local community heroes
5. Parent involvement
6. Community service/service learning projects
7. Exposure to cultural events and activities

Each Club HERO participant receives an intervention dosage of 6 hours per week. Club HERO meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. Students begin the meeting with snack and homework time for 30 minutes, followed by a drug education lesson, academic connection project, service learning project, or arts and crafts activity. Field trips are designed to enhance peer and adult relationships, expose students to cultural events and activities, and extend learning opportunities of Club HERO or school projects.

A basic feature throughout the program is the student reward system that is designed to offer visible motivation for student achievement. Students can earn points for a variety of achievements and behaviors related to school performance and participation in tasks at home. When enough points are accumulated, students can “purchase” small items as a reward for good work.

Links for more information:

www.livedrugfree.org/MAPP.69.0.html

www.projectalert.com