In Spring 2017, Sandy Hook Promise Foundation partnered with the UM-SPH Prevention Research Collaborative to evaluate the Say Something and Start with Hello, two components of the Know the Signs program, in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After the first evaluation, we have continued our partnership and are evaluating these programs in other locations including Miami-Dade, FL and Boston, MA.
Know the Signs Program Evaluation, LAUSD
Phase 1
- Principal Investigator: Justin Heinze, PhD
- Project Manager: Alison Grodzinski, MLIS; Mary Cunningham, MHS
- Project Dates: 2017
- Funding Source: Sandy Hook Promise Foundation
In Spring 2017, Sandy Hook Promise Foundation partnered with the UM-SPH Prevention Research Collaborative to evaluate Say Something and Start with Hello, two components of the Know the Signs program, in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The goal of this evaluation study was to understand the effects of the Know the Signs program on positive school climate and youth developmental outcomes. It was the first rigorous assessment of the implementation and fidelity of the program suite as it was introduced to this new school district.
Phase 2
- Principal Investigator: Marc Zimmerman, PhD
- Co-Principal Investigator: Justin Heinze, PhD
- Project Manager: Mary Cunningham, MHS
- Project Dates: 2019 – 2022
- Funding Source: National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research
Building on our 2017 evaluation in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Sandy Hook Promise Foundation is partnering with the UM-SPH Prevention Research Collaborative on a three-year study to evaluate the Say Something and Start with Hello programs in 48 LAUSD middle schools. The goal of this evaluation study is to understand the effects of the Know the Signs program on positive school climate and youth developmental outcomes.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System Evaluation, Miami-Dade
- Principal Investigator: Hsing-Fang Hsieh, PhD
- Co-Principal Investigator: Justin Heinze, PhD
- Project Manager: Mary Cunningham, MHS
- Project Dates: 2018 – 2020
- Funding Source: National Institute of Justice
Anonymous tip lines can improve school safety through providing a safe and secure reporting system. It allows individuals to report a warning sign using their computer, phones, or tablets and is easily accessible for students, teachers, school administrators and parents. Using this anonymous approach allows individuals to share concerns when a trusted adult is not an option, and emphasizes a positive change in school climate. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) combines the Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) Foundation’s school-wide Say Something violence prevention program that enhances risk recognition, empowers and engages school communities and facilitates communication between the school, law enforcement, and crisis responders through a multi-model anonymous reporting system.
The purpose of this study is to improve the recognition of mental duress, violent antecedents, and other risk behaviors in communities; and prevent future violence, criminal and other risk behavior in youth. Together with SHP, we are implementing SS-ARS in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in 2018. This evaluation study will assess the effectiveness of the program through individual and school outcomes.
Say Something Digital, Boston
- Principal Investigator: Andi Eisman, PhD
- Project Manager: Mary Cunningham, MHS
- Project Dates: 2018 – 2019
- Funding Source: Sandy Hook Promise Foundation
Efficient and effective programs for violence prevention is especially necessary in public schools with limited budgets and resources. The use of technology as part of health intervention delivery is emerging, but few studies have been conducted that evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating online presentations for students compared to typical in-person delivery. Delivering components of the program online may help improve efficiency of program delivery and reduce implementation costs. It may also facilitate broad dissemination, which is critical to supporting the health and well-being of youth and achieving population-level effects of the intervention.
The goal of this evaluation study was to compare the traditional in-person presentation of the Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) Foundation’s Say Something program with an online version of the program. We compared these two modes of delivery on program reach and fidelity, student and staff outcomes, and positive school climate at 10 middle schools in Boston Public Schools.
About the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation
The Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) Foundation is a national non-profit organization that originated in Newton, Connecticut by family and community members affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. The organization focuses on protecting children from gun violence due to crime, suicide, and unintentional discharge. SHP does this by building a national community of parents, schools, and organizations while raising awareness and engaging with community educational programs. SHP has two standard school based interventions:
- Say Something
- Start with Hello
