School Wellness Podcast By Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention cover art

School Wellness

School Wellness

By: Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention
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How do educators best promote wellness for students and staff? Join host Amanda Hampton, a certified Prevention Specialist, and the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence as we discuss supporting mental health in K-12 education. We will discuss innovative strategies and initiatives to create nurturing environments. Together we will gain insight and inspiration, and learn about evidence-based tools to positively impact student and teacher well-being. Tune in and join a community dedicated to building schools where children and the adults who support them are healthy and thriving. Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at ohiosbcoe.org.2024 Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Evi Roberts - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation & the Sources of Strength Program

    Evi Roberts - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation & the Sources of Strength Program
    Mar 18 2026
    the Guest(s): Evi Roberts serves as the Youth Program and Policy Manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). Evi plays a crucial role in supporting youth suicide prevention initiatives across Ohio, including the widely recognized program, Sources of Strength, and Be Present Ohio the Online Experience. With a background in mental health advocacy and policy coordination, Evi's work involves coordinating trainings, managing grants, and providing technical assistance to various schools and communities throughout Ohio. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton reconnects with Evi Roberts from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to discuss exciting updates in youth suicide prevention programs in Ohio. Evi, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, offers insights into the evolving Sources of Strength program, emphasizing the impact it's having across elementary, middle, and high school levels in Ohio. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on the necessity of empowering youth through evidence-based practices and community engagement to foster resilience and reduce suicide risks. The episode delves into the impressive expansion of Sources of Strength programs, highlighting significant growth in student reach across Ohio. With Evi Roberts sharing statistics and personal success stories from schools, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how these programs are creating supportive environments for youth. Moreover, the conversation navigates through innovative approaches like the Youth Advisory Council, showcasing the active role that young individuals can play in transforming their communities through meaningful engagement and advocacy. This episode provides valuable insights into the proactive steps being taken within Ohio to address mental health and wellness among students. Key Takeaways: Sources of Strength has expanded significantly in Ohio, reaching approximately 186,000+ students and continuing to grow across elementary, middle, and high schools. The program is recognized for its holistic approach to improving mental wellness, fostering protective factors like family support, mentorship, and physical health. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is actively working with youth, providing mechanisms for them to become agents of change within their communities. Innovative efforts such as the Youth Advisory Council are enabling young people to obtain hands-on experience in mental health advocacy and program development. Continuous support and collaboration from various stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (now called Ohio Department of Behavioral Health), are pivotal in ensuring the sustainability and success of these programs. Notable Quotes: "Sources of Strength is for all people... and has impacts on universal populations." - Evi Roberts "It's Sources (of Strength). They like to refer to the program as a radically upstream prevention program." - Evi Roberts "Seeing these communities come together to be able to bounce back after a tragedy is such a humbling experience." - Evi Roberts "The importance of this kind of work... is all vital because, when we invite young people and our schools to be a part of this work, it saves lives." - Evi Roberts Resources: Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Be Present Ohio Nationwide Children's Hospital OhioSBCOE.org For more webinars, trainings, and conferences from OSPF, visit their events page. Listeners are encouraged to delve into the full episode to uncover the in-depth discussions shared by Amanda Hampton and Evi Roberts, and to anticipate more insightful content on the dynamics of school-based mental health initiatives in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned for further illuminating discussions dedicated to wellness and prevention efforts in schools.
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    33 mins
  • Adrienne Carmack Brown - Empowering Youth: CADCA's Mission for Drug-Free Communities

    Adrienne Carmack Brown - Empowering Youth: CADCA's Mission for Drug-Free Communities
    Mar 6 2026
    About the Guest(s): Adrienne Carmack Brown works in youth development and substance use prevention, recently serving at CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) as part of their public health programs team. With over a decade of experience in youth-led prevention and community advocacy across the United States, Adrienne is deeply passionate about empowering local coalitions and youth-led initiatives to create sustainable, effective strategies against substance misuse. Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness," hosted by Amanda Hampton, we delve into the multifaceted world of substance use prevention with expert guest Adrienne Carmack Brown. At the time of the interview, Adrienne was working at CADCA. The conversation spotlights the intricacies of community coalition building and the significance of youth engagement in prevention efforts. Adrienne shares her insights into the essential frameworks and strategies that CADCA employs to support grassroots initiatives aimed at reducing substance misuse within communities both nationally and globally. Listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and how it serves as a tool for developing data-driven, culturally competent interventions. The episode also explores CADCA's hallmark programs, such as the Drug-Free Communities program and the extensive training CADCA offers to both youth and adults. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of collaborative community efforts and robust support systems to foster environments where youth can thrive, thus reducing substance misuse risk factors. With rich insights and examples, the discussion unpacks how communities can access resources, advocate for funding, and sustainably impact public health. Key Takeaways: Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF): Learn how CADCA's evidence-based model guides communities in developing sustainable interventions against substance misuse. Youth Involvement: Discover how CADCA champions youth-led, adult-guided initiatives, emphasizing the value of youth as stakeholders in prevention efforts. Community Engagement: Understand the role of CADCA in facilitating coalitions that include diverse sectors to tailor local solutions for substance misuse. Programming & Training: Explore CADCA's robust training offerings for both youth and adults to build capacities in prevention and advocacy. Long-term Impact: Recognize the importance of patience in prevention outcomes, acknowledging the marathon nature of coalition work against substance misuse. Notable Quotes: "We are rooted in the idea that the best local solutions come from local knowledge." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "It's really important that young people see you as a partner, not just an adult that's there." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "Avoid random acts of prevention... we're looking for sustainable and effective long-term change." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "It all comes down to those guiding principles of being youth-led and adult-guided." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "Coalition work is hard, but very little gets done by an individual without a community behind them." — Adrienne Carmack Brown Resources: CADCA: cadca.org Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF): Approach for community-based interventions National Coalition Academy: Training program for Drug-Free Communities program participants Wilkes Youth Leadership Development (WILD): Example of effective youth-led coalition work The insights shared by Adrienne Carmack Brown in this episode provide a deep dive into the frameworks and strategies vital for sustainable substance misuse prevention. Tune in to hear the entire conversation and gain more knowledge about fostering drug-free communities through youth engagement and community coalitions. Stay connected with "School Wellness" for upcoming episodes packed with valuable content.
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    44 mins
  • Suzanne Aftabizadeh - Empowering Appalachian Youth Through Prevention and Community Collaboration

    Suzanne Aftabizadeh - Empowering Appalachian Youth Through Prevention and Community Collaboration
    Feb 24 2026
    About the Guest(s): Suzanne Aftabizadeh is a dedicated professional in the field of public health, hailing from Athens, Ohio. A native of the region, Suzanne pursued her studies at Ohio University where she focused on biology and Spanish. Passionate about women's health and child welfare, she served two years with ComCor, an AmeriCorps program linked with the Ohio University Medical School, which deepened her commitment to public health and health education. Currently, Suzanne is at the helm of the Youth Led Prevention Council at the Appalachian Children Coalition (ACC), where she plays a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to bring prevention programming to underserved Appalachian communities. Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of School Wellness hosted by Amanda Hampton, Suzanne Aftabizadeh of the Appalachian Children Coalition (ACC) joins us to delve into the multifaceted world of youth-led prevention work in Appalachian Ohio. The conversation focuses on Suzanne's journey, her current role, and the significant impact of ACC's initiatives on the regional communities. Youth-Led Prevention and Community Engagement: Suzanne shares her experiences and the ACC's mission to empower youth in Appalachia through strategic prevention programming. The discussion reveals how the ACC fosters youth leadership by addressing historical underrepresentation and the acute needs of the Appalachian region, such as high poverty rates and limited access to mental health care. Suzanne eloquently advocates for the community-driven approach of the ACC, emphasizing the importance of listening to the unique needs and cultural aspects of each community within the 32 counties served by the coalition. Enhancing Resources and Youth Empowerment: The episode dives into the ACC's vision to improve health and well-being through collective advocacy and strategic investments. Suzanne highlights how youth-led prevention efforts not only empower young people but also build community partnerships to deliver vital resources. The conversation underscores the essential role of youth voice in crafting effective prevention programs, illustrating the transformative power of involving young leaders in tackling the pressing issues of mental health, substance abuse, and education outcomes in the Appalachian region. Key Takeaways: The Appalachian Children Coalition (ACC) is committed to empowering youth and addressing the dire need for resources in the underserved Appalachian region of Ohio. Youth-led prevention efforts are crucial for transforming mental health and educational outcomes, with young leaders positioned at the forefront of advocacy and action. Building community partnerships and enhancing existing local resources are central to ACC's strategy to deliver impactful and sustained support to Appalachian communities. Suzanne Aftabizadeh emphasizes the importance of integrating youth voice in prevention programming, aligning with the ACC's mission to foster resilience and access to opportunities for young people. Addressing barriers like lack of Internet access, transportation, and entrenched stigmas require tailored approaches that resonate with the unique cultures of Appalachian communities. Notable Quotes: "Youth listen to youth. That's something I've learned as someone who's not too far out of high school." - Suzanne Aftabizadeh "Prevention is this wonderful umbrella term because pretty much anything positive that wants a positive outcome can fall under that prevention umbrella." - Suzanne Aftabizadeh "The Appalachian Children Coalition really started to address the lack of access to mental health care specifically for young people." - Suzanne Aftabizadeh "Involving youth in these processes not only gives them voice but crafts the foundation upon which they can build their futures." - Suzanne Aftabizadeh "We want our communities to thrive and not to have to leave the region just to get access to a medical doctor or a therapist." - Suzanne Aftabizadeh Resources: Learn more about joining or supporting the Appalachian Children Coalition through their website (URL not explicitly mentioned in the transcript). Connect with Amanda Hampton and the Ohio School Based Center of Excellence at Miami University for resources on school-based prevention and early intervention support. For a deeper understanding of how youth-led prevention is shaping the future of Appalachian communities, be sure to listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more insightful discussions from School Wellness with Amanda Hampton.
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    59 mins
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I have worked in foster care and schools for over 30 years and learned new information from Jo. the toolkit sounds like an great resource!

information I can Use

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