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December 2019 Newsletter A Year In Review

Committed to applying science to address complex social issues, our team of 9 research staff, 5 faculty members, 2 graduate students, and over 10 contributing professionals study how culture impacts health and safety and how to transform culture to improve health and safety. Our goal is to use our research to cultivate cultural transformation and support others in helping make the world a healthier, safer place. We work on diverse projects in traffic safety, substance misuse, violence, and child well being. Although the issues are different in nature, we have found that there is overlap between them. The intersections between the issues let us look at and address health and safety from a comprehensive standpoint.

2019 was quite the year. Our team: engaged in 34 research projects; guided 9 communities as they engaged in local efforts; worked in over 15 states; contributed to 2 international conferences. Our research expenditures for 2019 exceeded $1.4 million.

We attribute much of our success and growth to those with whom we partnered in the past year, including: Clackamas County Department of Transportation Futures Without Violence Heartland for Children Idaho Department of Transportation Kosciusko Cares Minnesota Department of Transportation Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Bureau  Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services  Montana Department of Transportation  National Center for Rural Road Safety National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Nevada Department of Transportation North Dakota Department of Transportation Oregon Health Authority - Public Health Division Ossining Communities that Care Rye YMCA United States Federal Highway Administration Utah Department of Public Safety, Highway Safety Office Washington Traffic Safety Commission We Care Coalition West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities Yale University Thank you all for your continued support.

Project Highlights

Our research projects had many highlights throughout the year. For example:

In partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, we launched ParentingMontana.org , a website that provides easy-to-use tools to support Montana parents and those in parenting role in building their child’s skills to be successful. In January, Governor Steve Bullock hosted a press conference to announce the website’s launch. View the press release here . KTVH News featured ParentingMontana.org in a video announcement here . In May, the 25 th Communicator Awards, the largest and most competitive awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals, were announced by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. Cactus Production's work on the ParentingMontana.org videos was awarded the Communicator Award of Excellence .  In partnership with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, we developed online training videos that address key topics on a variety of public health and safety issues and provide practical tips and ideas for practitioners. The videos include: Applying Motivational Interviewing to Advocate for the Positive Meetings 101 Medication Assisted Treatment Networks and Buy-Ins Adverse Childhood Experiences Stigma Training Series (six videos) These Brief Spotlight Videos can be viewed on our website at https://chsculture.org/trainings/brief-spotlight-videos/ .

The Oregon Problem Gambling Prevention Project with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) – Public Health Division was completed. The project’s purpose was to reduce problem gambling across the state of Oregon using the Positive Culture Framework’s 7-step communication model. The partnership provided an opportunity to assess and better understand the current attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to gambling in Oregon. Cultural assessments were used to develop a communication toolkit, media (such as videos, radio ads, and posters), and other promotional materials to help reduce problem gambling. An onsite training was held in April to review the toolkit with OHA employees and help them develop communication plans. View our webinar from August 2019 that showcased the Oregon Problem Gambling Prevention Project here or at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be9Xm5SBQOY&feature=youtu.be .

In partnership with the Montana Department of Transportation, we supported the Traffic Safety Culture Transportation Pooled Fund Program through research and tool development. In a project titled Understanding Law Enforcement Attitudes and Beliefs About Traffic Safety , we applied research to understand how the culture within law enforcement agencies impacts engagement in traffic safety enforcement. Materials included the final report, a project summary report, dialogue guide and speaking points, and a webinar recording and presentation that can be found here on at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-attitudes.shtml . In a project titled Proactive Traffic Safety: Empowering Behaviors to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries , communication tools were developed that can be used to communicate and integrate proactive traffic safety into existing traffic safety efforts. The tools include a Proactive Traffic Safety Primer, conversation guide, downloadable poster, and a final report. View the tools here or visit https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-cc-tools.shtml . The project titled Key Information for Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis (DUIC) Policy was also finalized. The project’s purpose was to capture key information on the critical issues that affect policy decisions with DUIC and create tools to help communicate this information to stakeholders to support and inform rational policy making. A final report, talking points for driving after using cannabis, a sharable poster and infographics, a recorded webinar on the project’s findings, and the webinar’s presentation about driving under the influence of cannabis can be found here or on https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-duic.shtml .  The Traffic Safety Culture Primer project was completed. In the project, communication tools were created to help develop shared language and understanding about traffic safety culture and its relationship to vision zero goals. The available materials include the primer, final report, presentation, downloadable poster, and video for traffic safety professionals. The tools can be found here or at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-primer.shtml .

In partnership with the National Center for Rural Road Safety (NCRRS) , we developed three training modules that included a presenter’s guide, workbook, presentation slides, and supplemental videos for communities to use to grow a positive traffic safety culture. Module One focuses on the basics of safety culture. It explores human behavior including kinds of beliefs, how we develop beliefs, the context for teaching beliefs, and the role of the social ecology. Module Two focused on organizational safety culture. It looks at the social ecology of an organization and steps to grow organizational safety culture. Module Three focuses on traffic safety culture including its relationship with public health, examples of traffic safety culture, and steps to grow traffic safety culture.  In partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), we conducted formative research and developed tools to promote best practices among parents as their children learn to drive. We also revised our Positive Culture Framework Training to align with an audience focused on improving traffic safety, and developed a comprehensive plan to design, implement, and evaluate a tool to increase bystander engagement. We presented the Training to a group of traffic safety professionals in Olympia, WA in September. View our webinar from March 2019 that showcased traffic safety culture and driving under the influence of cannabis and alcohol in Washington state here or on our YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/C9xkwONVPFM .

Since 2013, we have partnered with the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Highway Safety Office on the Together for Life project, which used the Positive Culture Framework to increase seat belt use in seven rural Utah counties. Surveys were conducted in the early stages of the project that assessed the culture of the seven counties and supported the development of resources and media to help increase seat belt use. I n 2019, surveys were repeated in the seven counties to assess changes in behaviors and beliefs about seat belt use. The survey results found that adult behaviors and beliefs changed – especially among those that acknowledged they had heard or seen the Together for Life media (over one-third of those surveyed).

2019 Publications

Sharing what we have learned with those doing the work is very important to us. This year, our staff were involved in the following publications:

Traffic Safety Culture: Definition, Foundation, and Application * ( Book/ Chapters) This reference book provides traffic safety researchers and practitioners with an international and multi-disciplinary compendium of theory-based and practice-based chapters. Together, these chapters discuss the research and application of “Traffic Safety Culture” as an important approach to achieve the vision of zero traffic fatalities (and serious injuries). Center Director, Nicholas J. Ward, and Traffic Safety Specialist, Katie Fleming-Vogl, are two of the three book editors and co-authored several chapters. Center staff and affiliated Montana State University faculty who also co-authored book chapters include Jay Otto, Kari Finley, Kelly Green, Eric Austin, and William Schell. Ward, N., Watson, B., and Fleming-Vogl, K (Eds.). (2019). Traffic Safety Culture: Definition, Foundation, and Application . Bingley (UK): Emerald Publishing.  *Legal disclaimer: editors receive a royalty payment from the publisher.

Understanding Law Enforcement Attitudes and Beliefs About Traffic Safety ( Final Report) As part of the transportation pooled fund project with the Montana Department of Transportation, Jay Otto, Kari Finley, Kelly Green, and Nic Ward published a final report that provides results from a project that sought to better understand how the culture within law enforcement agencies impacts engagement in traffic safety enforcement.   Otto, J., Finley, K., Green, K., & Ward, N. (2019). Understanding Law Enforcement Attitudes and Beliefs About Traffic Safety (Final Report No. FHWA/MT-19-003/8882-309-08; p. 121). Montana Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-attitudes.shtml.

Traffic Safety Culture: A Primer for Traffic Safety Practitioners ( Final Report) As part of the transportation pooled fund project with the Montana Department of Transportation, Nic Ward, Jay Otto, and Kari Finley published a final report with results from a project that provided communication tools that develop shared language and understanding about traffic safety culture and its relationship to vision zero goals. Ward, N., Otto, J., & Finley, K. (2019). Traffic Safety Culture: A Primer for Traffic Safety Practitioners (Final Report No. FHWA/MT-19-006/8882-309-11). Montana Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-primer.shtml.

Proactive Traffic Safety: Empowering Behaviors to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries ( Final Report) As part of the transportation pooled fund project with the Montana Department of Transportation, Jay Otto, Kari Finley, Nic Ward, and Jamie Arpin published a final report that provides the final drafts of four proactive traffic safety communication tools that can be used to communicate and integrate proactive traffic safety into existing traffic safety efforts. Otto, J., Finley, K., Ward, N. & Arpin, J. (2019). Proactive Traffic Safety: Empowering Behaviors to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries (Final Report No. FHWA/MT-19-007/8882-309-12). Montana Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-cc-tools.shtml.

Key Information for Cannabis and DUIC Policy (Final Report) As part of the transportation pooled fund project with the Montana Department of Transportation, Nic Ward, Jay Otto, and Kari Finley published a final report that summarizes key information about the role of cannabis in traffic safety in order to inform policy regarding cannabis legalization and traffic safety. Ward, N., Otto, J., & Finley, K. (2019). Key Information for Cannabis and DUIC Policy (Final Report No. FHWA/MT-19-005/8882-309-10). Montana Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/trafficsafety-duic.shtml.

How the Positive Culture Framework Can Enhance Local Drug-Free Communities Efforts (White Paper) This document highlights opportunities for the Positive Culture Framework (PCF) to be incorporated into local Drug-Free Communities (DFC) programs. We are not associated with, nor a part of, the review team for the DFC Support Program and are therefore not providing instruction or clarification of any DFC Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). The Center is simply providing information about how the PCF can be used as a planning model to organize and enhance local DFC efforts.

2019 Webinars

Another way we share what we have learned in our research is through webinars. This year, we hosted 10 webinars with a total of 859 attendees . The webinar topics include: Communication: A Catalyst for Growing Positive Culture Moving Beyond Bystander Engagement: Growing Citizenship to Improve Health and Safety Traffic Safety Culture and Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis and Alcohol in Washington State Traffic Safety Culture: Review of Phase 1 Accomplishments and an Invitation to Join Phase 2 of This Pooled Fund Program What is the Positive Culture Framework for Improving Health and Safety? Exploring Law Enforcement Attitudes and Beliefs About Traffic Safety Enforcement Reducing Problem Gambling in Oregon Key Information for Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis (DUIC) Policy Proactive Traffic Safety – Communication Tools to Reach Our Shared Vision of Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries Traffic Safety Culture and Its Relationship to Vision Zero

2019 Trainings

Training is a critical component of our Center’s efforts. We held 12 trainings throughout the year, training over 450 people on our framework for improving health and safety. Our trainings offer information and tools to help attendees become more effective prevention leaders; better communicate to advocate for prevention, health, and safety; and learn how to better understand and align effective strategies. Our 2019 training locations include: Olympia, WA Lincoln City, OR Worland, WY Douglas, WY Park Rapids, MN Bowling Green, KY Nashville, TN Sutton, WV Alexandria, VA Rye, NY Ashland, MA Bellow Falls, VT

This past summer, our staff updated and refined our Positive Culture Framework Training content.

Staff Highlights

Alongside our project or research-related highlights, there were some staff successes this year as well. Our doctorate student, Jubaer Ahmed , passed Ph.D. comprehensive exam presentation titled, “Emotional Intelligence and Risky Driving Behavior.” Jubaer’s research addresses risky driving behavior among different populations from the perspective of emotional intelligence. Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Kari Finley , presented at multiple conferences and held a training on her research on stigma. Kari presented at the CADCA National Leadership Forum, CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute, National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference, and the Montana Fall Prevention Symposium.

Principal Scientist, Jay Otto , had a few highlights as well. Jay presented at the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Conference, Montana Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference, Iowa Annual Traffic and Safety Summit, and the Colorado Transportation Safety Summit. He taught trainings in Rye, NY; Sutton, WV; Alexandria, VA; and, Olympia, WA. Jay also attended the World Appreciative Inquiry Conference in Nice, France. Center Manager and Research Scientist II, Annmarie McMahill , presented at the Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference and co-taught the training in Olympia, WA. She also participated in the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)’s Western States meetings in Seattle, WA. Also, Annmarie attended the World Appreciative Inquiry Conference in Nice, France.

Center Director, Dr. Nic Ward , presented at the Distracted Driving Summit, Safe Systems Summit 2019, Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit, and he presented a keynote speech at the EU Safety Conference in Luxembourg. Well-traveled Research Scientist II and Senior Trainer, Katie Dively , taught eight trainings and had one presentation this year. Katie trained in Ashland, MA; Lincoln City, OR; Worland, WY; Douglas, WY; Alexandria, VA; Bellow Falls, VT; Park Rapids, MN; and, Nashville, TN. Her presentation was for a private group in Indianapolis, IN on the Positive Culture Framework.

After Deb Strachan retired in February, Kelly Green took the reins as our new Business Manager. In October, Kelly earned an award from Montana State University for her 10 years of service.

A few more people joined our team throughout the year. Karen Gee , after over 10 years of working with us as a Graphic Design and Website Specialist, joined us full-time as a Research Associate. Kassie Sullivan joined us as a Prevention Specialist working on a variety of projects. Liz Croy was hired to support our survey research as a Coder. Katie Fleming-Vogl joined us as a Traffic Safety Specialist to provide expertise in health and safety, traffic safety systems, evidence-based practices, and evaluation. Barbara Hopkin joined us as a Prevention Specialist, assisting across multiple projects with her expertise in social and emotional learning, education, youth, and families. Stephen Ridgeway joined the team as a Graphic Design Specialist, supporting a variety of projects. Betsy Sell also became a part of the team to provide research support across multiple projects with her expertise in public education and administration.

Looking Forward

We have some exciting events and opportunities on the horizon. We are planning on hosting a 2020 Positive Culture Framework Training and a few webinars throughout the next year. Additionally, our research team is underway writing our first book. Our model for improving health and safety, the Positive Culture Framework, is broad, which gives us a unique opportunity to look at a wide array of complex social matters at the organizational, community, tribal, state, and national levels. The comprehensive lens through which we understand culture and human behavior has allowed our research to grow and expand. Each year, we gain new, diverse projects and continue to strengthen our team of researchers and collective expertise. In 2020 , we will seek to continue to enhance our knowledge and build dynamic partnerships with other organizations, coalitions, universities, and consortia. We are looking forward to bringing the knowledge we gained in 2019 into the new year with enthusiasm and open minds.

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