CVS Pharmacy

Republic Bank

Kentucky Center for School Safety

Kosair Children’s Hospital

Toyota Motor Manufacturing

U.K. Healthcare

BB&T Insurance Services

Caesars Indiana

Cave Country Adventures

Cheap Self Storage

Cincinnati Reds

Cumberland River Comprehensive Care

Delta Dental

Diamond Caverns

Dinosaur World

General Electric

Harper Industries

Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Kentucky Dept of Education

The Kentucky Speedway

The Kentucky Standard

Kentucky State Resort Parks

Lafayette Golf Club

Lost River Cave & Valley

The Louisville Bats

Louisville Glassworks

The Louisville Science Center

Muhammad Ali Center

Newport Aquarium

Our Lady of Peace, a service of Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Health Care

Ryan Newman Motorsports

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom

Southwest Airlines

The Speed Art Museum

Tempur-pedic International

The Walt Disney Company

Yahoo!

Creating a More Caring School Climate

The Concept:
Research tells us that a positive school learning and work climate is critical for student academic achievement and connection to school, and for staff effectiveness. In order to help foster more positive learning environments, Kentucky Child Now (KCN) offers schools training and support needed to drive positive practices and behaviors, and develop sustainable programs.

A cornerstone training offered by the KCN Youth Development Training Institute is Change of Heart: Creating a More Caring School Climate. This research-based training was developed by the Search Institute, an independent non-profit organization providing leadership, knowledge and resources to promote healthy children, youth and communities. Change of Heart is conducted as a one-day retreat to help students, teachers, administrators and staff create a more caring environment within their school, with the end goal of fostering improved learning.

Change of Heart has proven to be a powerful and effective training, in that it is centered on 40 Developmental Assets that the Search Institute has identified as essential support, qualities and experiences for young people to be successful and avoid high-risk behaviors. It is unique in that it brings youth and adults together as equal partners to drive positive change in their school environment.
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The Results:
Change of Heart accomplishes three goals:

• Promotes a more supportive and ultimately safe school community;
• Builds strong, positive relationships between students and school adults and among students
• Helps members of the school community intentionally build developmental assets

Long term outcomes for the school include:

• Higher attendance, better grades and improved participation in school-related activities
• Fewer high-risk behaviors among students
• More positive and fewer negative interactions among students
• More positive and fewer negative interactions between students and school adults
• Positive physical changes in school environment

Who Should Participate:
Change of Heart is designed for an audience of 36-60 participants comprising a mix of middle – or high-school students, administrators, teachers, counselors, and other appropriate support staff from a single school. To provide maximum effect, the students should represent all the diverse groups within their school and should be the peer-opinion leaders of those groups. These participants can be selected through a formal survey, staff nominations, guidance or administrative appointments, or any other means deemed appropriate by the school. A ratio of at least 1 adult per 5 students is optimal.
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The Method:
Preparation/Readiness. Preparatory work will be done to ensure that expectations are on track for successful training and follow-up. A KCN Training Coordinator will meet with an identified representative to coordinate a pre-course assessment to determine the school?s needs and customize an approach to best address key objectives and focus areas. Depending on each individual school?s need, the KCN approach may extend beyond the Change of Heart curriculum, allowing the school to benefit from the breadth of other youth development trainings and services the KCN! Training Institute offers.
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Training Day. The training is highly interactive and is scheduled for a 7-hour period. This includes a 40 minute lunch and 2 breaks. Conducting the retreat at a facility away from the school has proven to be most effective, reducing distractions during training while allowing the students, teachers and staff to interact more as equal partners. The training venue should be large enough to accommodate group activities, both large and small.
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During the workshop, participants take steps to:

• Initiate or nurture positive relationships
• Intercede in negative interactions
• Begin formulating an action plan to achieve specific goals

Follow-up. Regularly scheduled meetings and activities to further the impact of the training are encouraged to keep the participants engaged and to continue improvement in the individuals and to their school. Action plans should be developed to set and accomplish the identified goals and objectives. The KCN! Training Institute can provide ongoing support and assistance in these areas, as well as provide additional resources and materials.
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Registration Process: Schools that are interested in hosting a Change of Heart: Creating a More Caring School Climate should contact KCN to obtain an application. Once the application is received, it will be evaluated in terms of need and urgency and a KCN team member will contact the school.

Continuing Education. EILA credit for administrators is available for this training.
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Cost. The standard charge of $2,000 plus travel costs includes: one day of preparation, 7-hour training, and 1 day of follow-up. Additional support and technical assistance may be necessary and negotiated on an individual basis. Schools are responsible for other related costs including facilities, lunch, transportation, and substitute teachers.

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Testimonials
Here’s what some recent Kentucky school participants have said about the Change of Heart training:

Students:

• "I thought this was a great experience and will change our school in a very positive way." Boyle County High School
• "It helped me realize how a person can make small changes to make big differences." Russell Independent High School

Adults:

• "It was really powerful and gave everyone a chance to open up and be honest." Bates Middle School, Danville
• "It was the most enjoyable training that I have attended during my two years of employment at the school." Providence Independent High School
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