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DCF Rates Project Kick as 'exemplary'
Article published Aug 28, 2006
By Connie Harris, College of Education
The Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association
have named Project KICK, a drug prevention initiative administered by the Florida State University
College of Education, a 2006 Exemplary Program.
Project KICK (Kids In Cooperation with Kids) targets at-risk children between the ages of 6 and
18 and uses an approach that includes family, home, school and community as well as the child in
its goal of preventing drug use and involvement in the criminal justice system.
The Exemplary Program Award is part of the annual Substance Abuse Best Practices Recognition
Program. Programs receiving honors must measurably improve service outcomes and the quality of life
for Florida residents who face challenges that result from drug and alcohol abuse.
Recognized programs are selected through a rigorous competitive process. “This serves as a
personal and professional validation of our work with children and families,” said Roberta Rubin,
director of Project KICK. “My graduate students and I hope that this recognition will result in our
sharing the program’s strategies so that many more kids, families and communities will be positively
affected.”
The project has served Leon County and the surrounding area for 16 years. The award specifically
recognizes the progress that has been made through a branch of the project at the Greg McCray Boys
and Girls Club in Tallahassee.
Rubin and a team of graduate students from the College of Education address risk and protective factors
for the children and families in the area. The group currently works with more than 338 youths and
their extended families in peer mentoring programs that emphasize drug prevention and health promotion.
The graduate students assist in every aspect of Project KICK — from the implementation of interventions
to developing research products for publication and analyzing research data.
“Project KICK not only provides a wonderful service to the youth in our community, but it is also an
outstanding opportunity for our graduate students to gain hands-on, real-world experience,” said Marcy
P. Driscoll, dean of the College of Education. “For our students to see firsthand the challenges these
youth face and provide direct intervention is a great example of the research-to-practice approach that
we at the college see as essential in learning to become effective educators.”
Project KICK comprises three major components — peer mentoring, family/community service and achievement
motivation. Peer mentoring trains the older children in key focus areas of the program to serve as
mentors to the younger children. The family/community service component involves family members and offers
services such as free counseling and consultation in the areas of behavior management and parent training.
Achievement motivation uses a rewards system to encourage the youth to achieve levels of competency in
areas such as conflict resolution and drug prevention. Once their goals are met, they are invited to
participate in field trips and special activities.
To determine the effectiveness of the project, the staff evaluates the youth prior to the start of the program
and again upon completion. The evaluations consistently have shown improvement in social skills, attitudes
about conflict and conflict resolution, drug knowledge and awareness, and self-esteem.
Project KICK will be showcased at the 2006 Annual FADAA Conference in August. Rubin will have the opportunity
to represent the project and its practices to other professionals and organizations fighting drug abuse
throughout the state.
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