Purpose Statement

The LSPD IMPACT curriculum will be taught in the R-7 school district as well as Our Lady of Presentation parochial school for elementary students. The program exists to enrich students' lives by teaching, modeling, and encouraging the core values of integrity, responsibility, and respect while fostering relationships with students, teachers, and parents to prevent drug abuse and risky behavior.

Needs Addressed

Today's youth are faced with a multitude of difficult and complex situations that require the courage and knowledge to address safely and properly. Both the LSPD IMPACT and DARE curriculum are designed to provide information and skill sets that empower them to make those decisions.The programs address not only drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention for youth, but also provided information on topics such as problem-solving and peer pressure.

The LSPD IMPACT program provided additional instruction on topics such as stress management and emotions and conflict resolution. All of these areas have been identified by community stakeholders of areas of concern regarding our students. Core values of integrity, responsibility, respect and prevention are layered throughout the lessons and provide the students with the ability to seek out positive solutions and outcomes for situations that they may find themselves in.

Data collected from community stakeholders such as the school district, mental health providers, community advocates and students themselves confirm that the topics taught within the LSPD IMPACT program are both relevant and needed. Risk factors addressed include drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention as well as the dangers of risky and violent behavior.Students will be provided protective-factors empowering them to make positive decisions to avoid the above risk factors.

Services

The IMPACT program focuses on providing the tools and skills for students to have positive impacts in their homes, communities, and within their schools. The IMPACT program was developed to meet students wherever they find themselves and provide them with encouragement, education and life skills to face the difficult challenges that they encounter throughout their daily lives.

The life skills taught through the IMPACT program will instill confidence in each student that they will carry with them through adulthood. Core concepts of Integrity, Responsibility, Respect and Prevention are woven into 10 lessons (55 min. each) specifically designed to empower the students to make well thought out decisions regarding difficult situations that they may find themselves in. The 10 lessons will introduce the core values into topics such as, Alcohol, Problem Solving, Tobacco-Vaping, Emotions and Conflict, Marijuana-Vaping, Peer Pressure, and Stress Management. 

A S.W.A.T. decision making model (State the problem, What are my choices, Act with integrity and Think about the outcome) will be introduced and provide the student which a realistic approach to problem solving. Various exercises and games will be used to strengthen the students understanding of the S.W.A.T. decision making model as well as highlighting other areas of the program such as problem solving and conflict resolution.The IMPACT program allows for the flexibility and adaptability to tackle real-time challenges faced by the students and address community needs when needed.

The core classes, 5th-6th grade, will culminate with student impact statements designed to visually relay what they have learned during the courses and a celebration-graduation to highlight the significance of good decision making.

IMPACT officers will also present 2 ‘formal' classes to both 2nd and 4th grade classes (visitations) designed to introduce the program and set the foundation for the core courses presented in 5th-6th grade. IMPACT officers will also be presenting ‘informally' to various grade levels throughout each school year as well as building and developing positive relationships with students throughout each campus as opportunities exist.Coordination and cooperation with the involved school districts have allowed the IMPACT curriculum to be implemented and included within existing technology for each school which will allow the teaching environment to remain consistent for the students and improve upon delivery.

Presentation will consist of lecture, multi-media, games and activities designed to instill the learning objectives presented throughout. Pre and post surveys will be utilized to collect measurables.The DARE curriculum will continue to be taught for those schools in the R-4 school district. The DARE curriculum includes 10 core lessons delivered over a 10-week period, with each lesson lasting 40-45 minutes. 

The DARE ‘Keeping it real' program will continue to be used within the R-7 middle schools. The DARE curriculum promotes interaction between student and teacher with lessons that feature activities that involve students in their own learning. The ‘Keeping it REAL' program allows middle school students the opportunity to act out and discuss the REAL strategies of Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave. 

Elementary students will get the opportunity to act out and discuss the DARE decision making model of, Define, Assess, Respond and Evaluate.Curriculum will consist of lecture, games and activities, videos all designed todrive home key learning objectives of the respective programs.DARE visitations will be conducted for the younger grades to establish foundations to build upon in the future. Safety tips, to include internet safety, will be introduced during these visitations. Videos will be used to present key points which are followed by discussions led by DARE officers to ensure understanding.The programs listed above will allow IMPACT-DARE officers to interact with, mentor, and establish positive relationship with over 6000 students with in the 2 districts and one parochial school.

IMPACT-DARE officers also take part in after school events such as school carnivals, parades and skate nights. IMPACT-DARE officers participate in city sponsored events such as ‘Downtown Days' and ‘Oktoberfest' which allow exposure to several thousands each year allowing for promotion and interaction with the programs.Lee's Summit IMPACT-DARE officers routinely are called to speak and attend various events outside of Lee's Summit and are often recognized for their commitment and dedication to the entire Kansas City Metro area.

Lee's Summit IMPACT-DARE officers' partner with Lee's Summit Cares and assist with community-based events such as the Partnership to prevent risky behavior, federally sponsored prescription drug take backs, local ATOD (alcohol, tobacco, and other drug) chapters at eh local High Schools, and numerous other endeavors.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.