Greetings Sidekicks Advisors & Partners!
In this newsletter, you'll find information regarding a recent program evaluation report, planned updates to training materials, as well as newly released support resources for students post-training!
Thank you for your continued commitment to this initiative!
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It has been a little while since a Sidekicks newsletter has made its way to you all!
With staff turnover, competing priorities, trainings pivoting to a virtual space and a global pandemic, this piece of the Sidekicks world has been placed on hold for a few months.
We are thrilled to be sending along this update and we hope it finds you well.
Below you will find some exciting happenings in the world of Sidekicks - a program evaluation, new materials for post-training engagement, as well as a few questions we'd like you to consider.
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Program Evaluation Report & Next Steps
As some of you know, in the summer of 2020 the Sidekicks program underwent a program evaluation by HART Consulting.
This evaluation consisted of a literature review, data evaluation, as well as interviews completed by District Tobacco Prevention Partners(DTPPs) and participating community members across the state. In total, 21 district partners from every county and all Public Health Districts, including the Tribal District, participated in structured interviews online.
We are actively working on implementing the suggestions outlined by this report. We have convened a specific work group of DTPPs to tackle some of the larger items. Progress continues to be made and we will keep you as up to date as possible on any finalized pieces.
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Next Steps: In response to the in-depth evaluation report highlighted above, certain projects have been prioritized for the coming year.
These include updates to the current training manual (gender neutral language, visuals, data, and videos), updates and additions to the current Sidekicks videos and other media listed in the training (including more diversity and inclusive imagery in videos, increasing accessibility of videos, replacing those that are outdated, videos utilizing different social media platforms, etc.), and the creation of a data dashboard to share real time evaluation data with adult advisors.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the forthcoming updates, please don't hesitate to reach out to Ally via the TPS inbox.
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New Material
Youth Sidekicks Participation Kit
We are so excited to share the newest available material for trained youth Sidekicks. This kit is intended to be given to those students who have completed the full Youth Sidekicks Training and who have completed a post-training evaluation.
The kit includes the following items:
- Sidekicks drawstring bag
- Stress Ball
- Pen
- "I'm a Sidekick" Pin
- Sidekick Key Takeaway Postcard
- Maine QuitLink Info Card
- Vape Free Maine Info Card
You are welcome to add additional community-specific materials or information to this basic kit! We are thrilled to be able to offer a new leave-behind material that will hopefully increase youth interest and engagement with the program!
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Additional Videos for Training
As we work through updating the training manual and the current Sidekicks training videos, we wanted to share a list of alternative videos that DTPPs have used in trainings in the past few months.
These videos are intended to be supplemental to those that are currently included in the training and do not focus on the in-depth skill building lessons of the program. These videos instead focus more on the reality of youth addiction and how ENDS are marketed toward youth.
Links to alternative videos:
Please feel free to reach out to the TPS inbox with any questions about these additional videos or with any questions or concerns about the current training videos that are being updated. As always, please send along any additional videos that you have found to include in your trainings. We'd be happy to share with others!
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We Want To Hear From You:
Youth ENDS Use During the Pandemic?
As we reflect on the unprecedented year we all just experienced, we here at CTI are curious if you, as community members, teachers, public health professionals, have noticed any trends of youth ENDS use in your communities.
Below are some prompting questions that we'd appreciate your input on:
- Are there any trends you are seeing/hearing of that we should be aware of?
- What are you seeing & hearing in your community as it relates to use rates or treatment needs?
- How do you think we should be pivoting or lending support to those who need it right now and moving forward?
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We also wanted to share this link to a webpage exploring recent data related to e-cigarette use among youth |
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Youth Texting Program:
Text MAINE to 88709
MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence has partnered with the Truth Initiative to launch a the Maine This is Quitting youth texting program.
This is Quitting is a free, confidential texting program with evidence-based tips to help 13-24 year-olds quit vaping.
Text MAINE to 88709 to access the service.
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Vaping Support Line:
1-844-9NO-VAPE
Through the Maine Tobacco HelpLine any adult or youth resident can receive services to assist:
- Those who vape and want to quit,
- Those needing assistance in how to support a loved one who vapes,
- Anyone with a general question about vaping.
Trained coaches will work with callers to:
- Enroll in quitting support services,
- Provide tips for speaking to youth around vaping,
- Provide local vaping resource information.
Call 1-844-9NO-VAPE to speak with a coach or email
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Sidekicks is an initiative of the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence implemented with funding from Maine Prevention Services, Maine CDC, DHHS
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