Page County

Problem:
School bullying is no small matter. Bullying can have dramatically negative effects on both a child’s education and health. Nationwide, 160,000 students miss school each day for fear of attack or intimidation by a bully.

Response:
Iowa State University Extension in Page County hosted a two-part national satellite series entitled What’s a Parent to do? The program was designed for families, schools, and communities to deal with bullying and children who are out of control. We advertised widely to the faith community, schools, and family service providers.

Impact:
Fifteen people attended both sessions. They were from the Clarinda and Shenandoah school systems, Head Start, Turnbull Child Care Center, the United Methodist Church, Southwest Iowa Families, and Southwest Iowa Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Project. Of the 13 participants who completed the evaluation, 76 percent stated that they gained at least one new idea on bullying; 69 percent stated that they would adopt one new practice in their work or with their relationship with youth; and all the participants stated that the satellite broadcasts were either useful or very useful. Several participants wrote comments:

• “I work as an advocate for a domestic violence agency, and I can see how this bullying problem overlaps into families or originates in families.”
• “Good that there are handouts to take home and study.”
• “Good use of youth in program and their experiences.”
• “The format could have been more interesting.”
• “Presentation was more of a social commentary than a skills orientation.”
• “I was looking for more specific strategies to use to teach students.”

Contact:
Heidi Carter, County Extension Education Director
311 E Washington St
Clarinda, IA 51632
Phone 712-542-5171
Email heidic@iastate.edu