Section 75.04. Prevention service.

 

(1)   Service description. A prevention service makes use of universal, selective and indicated prevention measures described in appendix A. Preventive interventions may be focused on reducing behaviors and actions that increase the risk of abusing substances or being affected by another person's substance abuse.

(2)   Requirements. To receive certification from the department under this chapter, a prevention service shall comply with all requirements included in s. DHS 75.03 that apply to a prevention service, as shown in Table 75.03, and, in addition, a prevention service shall comply with the requirements of this section. If a requirement in this section conflicts with an applicable requirement in s. DHS 75.03 , the requirement in this section shall be followed.

(3)   Required personnel.

(a) A professional employed by the service shall be knowledgeable and skilled in all areas of substance abuse prevention domains as required by DSPS.

(b) Paraprofessional personnel shall be knowledgeable and skilled in the areas of substance abuse prevention domains as required by the DSPS.

(c) Staff without previous experience in substance abuse prevention shall receive inservice training and shall be supervised in performing work activities identified in sub. (4) by a professional qualified under par. (a) .

(4)   Operation of the prevention service.

(a) Strategies. A prevention service shall utilize all of the following strategies in seeking to prevent substance abuse and its effects:

1. `Information dissemination.' This strategy aims at providing awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of the identified problem and providing knowledge and awareness of available prevention programs and services. Information dissemination is characterized by one-way communication from the source to the audience. Examples of activities that may be conducted and methods used in carrying out this strategy include the following:

a. Operation of an information clearinghouse.

b. Development and distribution of a resource directory.

c. Media campaigns.

d. Development and distribution of brochures.

e. Radio and TV public service announcements.

f. Speaking engagements.

g. Participation in health fairs and other health promotion activities.

2. `Education.' This strategy involves two-way communication and is distinguished from the information dissemination strategy by interaction between the educator or facilitator and the participants. Activities under this strategy are directed at affecting critical life and social skills, including decision-making, refusal skills, critical analysis, for instance, of media messages, and systematic judgment abilities. Examples of activities that may be conducted and methods used in carrying out this strategy are the following:

a. Classroom or small group sessions.

b. Parenting and family management classes.

c. Peer leader or helper programs.

d. Education programs for youth groups.

e. Children of substance abuser groups.

3. `Promotion of healthy activities.' This strategy provides for the participation of target populations in activities that exclude alcohol, tobacco and other drug use or promote activities that lend themselves to the building of resiliency among youth and families. The assumption is that constructive and healthy activities offset the attraction to or otherwise meet the needs that may be fulfilled by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Alternative activities also provide a means of character-building and may promote healthy relationships between youth and adults in that participants may internalize the values and attitudes of the individuals involved in establishing the prevention services objectives. Examples of healthy activities that may be promoted or conducted under this strategy may include the following:

a. Drug-free dances and parties.

b. Youth or adult leadership activities.

c. After-school activities such as participation in athletic activities, in music lessons, an art club or the school newspaper.

d. Community drop-in centers.

e. Community service activities.

4. `Problem identification and referral.' This strategy is to identify individuals who have demonstrated at-risk behavior, such as indulging in illegal or age-inappropriate use of tobacco or alcohol or indulging in the first use of illicit drugs, to determine if their behavior can be reversed through education. This strategy does not include activities designed to determine if a person is in need of treatment. Examples of activities that may be conducted and methods used in carrying out this strategy are the following:

a. Employee assistance programs.

b. Student assistance programs.

c. Educational programs for individuals charged with driving while under the influence or driving while intoxicated.

5. `Environmental.' This strategy aims at establishing written or unwritten community standards, codes and attitudes, thereby influencing the incidence and prevalence of at-risk behavior in the general population. This strategy distinguishes between activities that center on legal and regulatory initiatives and those which relate to the service and action-oriented initiatives. Examples of activities that may be conducted and methods used in carrying out this strategy are the following:

a. Promoting the establishment and review of policies for schools related to the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

b. Providing technical assistance to communities to maximize local enforcement procedures governing availability and distribution of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

c. Modifying alcohol and tobacco advertising practices.

d. Supporting local enforcement procedures to limit violent behavior.

e. Establishing policies that create opportunities for youth to become involved in their communities.

6. `Community-based process'. This strategy seeks to enhance the ability of the community to more effectively provide prevention, remediation and treatment services for behaviors that lead to intensive services. Activities under this strategy include organizing, planning, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of services implementation, interagency collaboration, coalition building and networking. Examples of activities that may be conducted and methods used in carrying out this strategy are the following:

a. Community and volunteer training, such as neighborhood action training and training of key people in the system.

b. Systematic planning in the above areas.

c. Multi-agency coordination and collaboration.

d. Facilitating access to services and funding.

e. Community team-building.

(b) Goals and objectives. A prevention service shall have written operational goals and objectives and shall specify in writing the methods by which they will be achieved and the target populations.

(c) Documentation of coordination. A prevention service shall provide written documentation of coordination with other human service agencies, organizations or services that share similar goals.

(d) Records. A prevention service shall maintain records on the number of individuals served by implementation of each prevention strategy and retain records as necessary for meeting certification and funding requirements.

(5)   Prevention service evaluation.

(a) A prevention service shall have an evaluation process that measures the outcomes of the services provided.

(b) A prevention service shall evaluate the views of consumers about the service as they are provided and shall adjust goals and objectives accordingly.

(c) A prevention service shall have a written policy and a defined process to provide individuals with the opportunity to express opinions regarding ongoing services, staff and the methods by which individual prevention activities are offered.

History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535 , eff. 8-1-00; CR 09-109 : am. (3) (a) and (b) Register May 2010 No. 653 , eff. 6-1-10; correction in (3) (a), (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. , Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671 .