A Day With a Prevention Specialist

Recognizing the distinctive role played by the Prevention Specialist in the school and community, CADE founded an observation study conducted by Villanova University to depict the work of Prevention Specialists. Following is an excerpt from this report describing activities during parts of the school day:

It's Monday morning, and Mr. B., the CADE Prevention Specialist, is parking in his car the McClure Elementary School, located in the heart of Huntington Park Section of North Philadelphia. The McClure School, where Mr. B. is assigned on Mondays and Tuesdays, is in a high crime and high drug area. It's just two blocks from the infamous intersection of 8^th and Butler, where drug deals are said to go on day and night. The first floor windows of the school are barred, and the exterior is scrawled with graffiti twelve feet high. There is a crack house across the street and many nearby houses have been abandoned or vandalized. Broken bottles, trash, and graffiti are everywhere.

As Mr. B. enters the school building, kids see him and run over to greet him. "Hey, Mr. B., what's happening?" ,"Hi, Mr. B. are you coming to our class today?" ,"Mr. B. give me a high five!" Mr. B. stops to chat briefly with several kids. It is clear they are glad to see him and pleased with the attention he gives them. Then he heads for the principal's office. He stops for a short talk with the school counselor, and gathers his thoughts in the teacher's lounge. Mr. B. heads off to his first class, a first grade class which he has been seeing once week for the past six weeks. As he walks down the hall, wheeling the TV and VCR, kids yell out to him or run over to say hello. He greets several by name and says he will talk with them later.

During his free period, Mr. B. Stops at several classrooms. At each class, he arranged with the teacher to excuse an individual student for a few minutes to talk with him in the hall. One first grader, Jerome, appears quiet and shy, but his face brightens when Mr. B. begins to talk.

Your teacher told me you've been very good in class and haven't had any fights with other kids.

Jerome nods and smiles slightly. That's good -- I'm proud of you. Have you been doing your homework? Another nod. How did you like giving cookies to other kids in your class?

At last Jerome speaks. I like it.

Would you like to do it again on another day?

Yes?

That's good. I'm glad you like it.

Later Mr. B. explains that Jerome's mother is an alcoholic and there is no male figure in the house. Although he is only in first grade, his disruptive behavior caused him to be expelled from two schools before going to McClure. Initially, Jerome's behavior at McClure was a big problem. Then a school counselor asked Mr. B. if he could spend some time with him. Since that time, Mr. B. has met Jerome's mother and talks with Jerome's mother briefly at least once a week. He helps him set goals, like doing his homework and not fighting, and encourages cooperative behavior. According to the school counselor, Mr. B. is a positive role model for Jerome. He feels better about himself, like's school, and believes that other people care about him. His grades have improved and his violent behavior has subsided.