School Wellness Podcast By Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention cover art

School Wellness

School Wellness

By: Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention
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How do educators best promote wellness for students and staff? Join host Amanda Hampton, a certified Prevention Specialist, and the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence as we discuss supporting mental health in K-12 education. We will discuss innovative strategies and initiatives to create nurturing environments. Together we will gain insight and inspiration, and learn about evidence-based tools to positively impact student and teacher well-being. Tune in and join a community dedicated to building schools where children and the adults who support them are healthy and thriving. Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at ohiosbcoe.org.2024 Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Melissa Slatzer - Sources of Strength

    Melissa Slatzer - Sources of Strength
    Apr 10 2026
    Guest:

    Melissa Slatzer is a dedicated school counselor and adult advisor for Sources of Strength at Glen Oak High School in Stark County, Ohio. With over 11 years of experience as a school counselor and an additional decade as a mental health counselor, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. She is committed to fostering supportive educational environments and leveraging her mental health background to implement innovative wellness programs like Sources of Strength in schools.

    Episode Summary:

    In this enlightening episode of School Wellness with Amanda Hampton, we explore innovative suicide prevention efforts at Glen Oak High School in Ohio with school counselor Melissa Slatzer. The episode delves deep into how Glen Oak High School implements the Sources of Strength program, an evidence-based initiative fostering peer leadership and promoting mental health. Melissa shares her journey from mental health counseling to school counseling, emphasizing the power of teamwork in effecting positive change for students. This episode offers valuable insights into modern approaches to school-based wellness and suicide prevention, emphasizing upstream strategies.

    Melissa recounts the implementation and impact of Sources of Strength, sharing the selection process for peer leaders and adult advisors and how these elements come together to create a positive school culture. The discussion highlights the unique approach of Sources of Strength, which switches the focus from problem-centric to strength-centric conversations. Melissa and Amanda explore the importance of social networking theory, campaign planning with students, and fostering a supportive community within and outside the school environment. Their dialogue sheds light on how integration of wellness programs can significantly shift educational settings towards a more supportive, engaging, and fun atmosphere.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Implementation of Sources of Strength: Glen Oak High School successfully integrates Sources of Strength, focusing on social diversity in peer leadership.

    • Unique Approach: The program emphasizes upstream prevention and strength-based discussions rather than only focusing on risk.

    • Impact on School Culture: Since implementing Sources of Strength, Glen Oak has observed improvements in school climate, discipline, and peer interaction.

    • Importance of Fun: Games and fun activities are integral to meetings, helping generate creativity and foster engagement among students.

    • Community Involvement: Building community partnerships and focusing on mental health can significantly enhance the impact of wellness programs.

    Notable Quotes:

    • "When you have a multidisciplinary team of people who really are invested in caring about kids, you see more of an impact."

    • "Sources of Strength is radically upstream. It's taking the conversation to create protective factors for our young people."

    • "...Normalizing that there's going to be ups and downs in life is key."

    • "It's changed even the way that I provide counseling for kids, really looking at positive psychology and solution-focused ways."

    • "I would love to see kids prioritizing mental health and wellness as a goal."

    Resources:

    • Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence

    • Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

    Listen to the full episode for more inspiring insights on transforming school environments and promoting wellness through innovative programs. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions on the School Wellness podcast!
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    29 mins
  • Evi Roberts - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation & the Sources of Strength Program

    Evi Roberts - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation & the Sources of Strength Program
    Mar 18 2026
    the Guest(s): Evi Roberts serves as the Youth Program and Policy Manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). Evi plays a crucial role in supporting youth suicide prevention initiatives across Ohio, including the widely recognized program, Sources of Strength, and Be Present Ohio the Online Experience. With a background in mental health advocacy and policy coordination, Evi's work involves coordinating trainings, managing grants, and providing technical assistance to various schools and communities throughout Ohio. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton reconnects with Evi Roberts from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to discuss exciting updates in youth suicide prevention programs in Ohio. Evi, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, offers insights into the evolving Sources of Strength program, emphasizing the impact it's having across elementary, middle, and high school levels in Ohio. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on the necessity of empowering youth through evidence-based practices and community engagement to foster resilience and reduce suicide risks. The episode delves into the impressive expansion of Sources of Strength programs, highlighting significant growth in student reach across Ohio. With Evi Roberts sharing statistics and personal success stories from schools, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how these programs are creating supportive environments for youth. Moreover, the conversation navigates through innovative approaches like the Youth Advisory Council, showcasing the active role that young individuals can play in transforming their communities through meaningful engagement and advocacy. This episode provides valuable insights into the proactive steps being taken within Ohio to address mental health and wellness among students. Key Takeaways: Sources of Strength has expanded significantly in Ohio, reaching approximately 186,000+ students and continuing to grow across elementary, middle, and high schools. The program is recognized for its holistic approach to improving mental wellness, fostering protective factors like family support, mentorship, and physical health. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is actively working with youth, providing mechanisms for them to become agents of change within their communities. Innovative efforts such as the Youth Advisory Council are enabling young people to obtain hands-on experience in mental health advocacy and program development. Continuous support and collaboration from various stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (now called Ohio Department of Behavioral Health), are pivotal in ensuring the sustainability and success of these programs. Notable Quotes: "Sources of Strength is for all people... and has impacts on universal populations." - Evi Roberts "It's Sources (of Strength). They like to refer to the program as a radically upstream prevention program." - Evi Roberts "Seeing these communities come together to be able to bounce back after a tragedy is such a humbling experience." - Evi Roberts "The importance of this kind of work... is all vital because, when we invite young people and our schools to be a part of this work, it saves lives." - Evi Roberts Resources: Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Be Present Ohio Nationwide Children's Hospital OhioSBCOE.org For more webinars, trainings, and conferences from OSPF, visit their events page. Listeners are encouraged to delve into the full episode to uncover the in-depth discussions shared by Amanda Hampton and Evi Roberts, and to anticipate more insightful content on the dynamics of school-based mental health initiatives in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned for further illuminating discussions dedicated to wellness and prevention efforts in schools.
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    33 mins
  • Adrienne Carmack Brown - Empowering Youth: CADCA's Mission for Drug-Free Communities

    Adrienne Carmack Brown - Empowering Youth: CADCA's Mission for Drug-Free Communities
    Mar 6 2026
    About the Guest(s): Adrienne Carmack Brown works in youth development and substance use prevention, recently serving at CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) as part of their public health programs team. With over a decade of experience in youth-led prevention and community advocacy across the United States, Adrienne is deeply passionate about empowering local coalitions and youth-led initiatives to create sustainable, effective strategies against substance misuse. Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness," hosted by Amanda Hampton, we delve into the multifaceted world of substance use prevention with expert guest Adrienne Carmack Brown. At the time of the interview, Adrienne was working at CADCA. The conversation spotlights the intricacies of community coalition building and the significance of youth engagement in prevention efforts. Adrienne shares her insights into the essential frameworks and strategies that CADCA employs to support grassroots initiatives aimed at reducing substance misuse within communities both nationally and globally. Listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and how it serves as a tool for developing data-driven, culturally competent interventions. The episode also explores CADCA's hallmark programs, such as the Drug-Free Communities program and the extensive training CADCA offers to both youth and adults. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of collaborative community efforts and robust support systems to foster environments where youth can thrive, thus reducing substance misuse risk factors. With rich insights and examples, the discussion unpacks how communities can access resources, advocate for funding, and sustainably impact public health. Key Takeaways: Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF): Learn how CADCA's evidence-based model guides communities in developing sustainable interventions against substance misuse. Youth Involvement: Discover how CADCA champions youth-led, adult-guided initiatives, emphasizing the value of youth as stakeholders in prevention efforts. Community Engagement: Understand the role of CADCA in facilitating coalitions that include diverse sectors to tailor local solutions for substance misuse. Programming & Training: Explore CADCA's robust training offerings for both youth and adults to build capacities in prevention and advocacy. Long-term Impact: Recognize the importance of patience in prevention outcomes, acknowledging the marathon nature of coalition work against substance misuse. Notable Quotes: "We are rooted in the idea that the best local solutions come from local knowledge." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "It's really important that young people see you as a partner, not just an adult that's there." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "Avoid random acts of prevention... we're looking for sustainable and effective long-term change." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "It all comes down to those guiding principles of being youth-led and adult-guided." — Adrienne Carmack Brown "Coalition work is hard, but very little gets done by an individual without a community behind them." — Adrienne Carmack Brown Resources: CADCA: cadca.org Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF): Approach for community-based interventions National Coalition Academy: Training program for Drug-Free Communities program participants Wilkes Youth Leadership Development (WILD): Example of effective youth-led coalition work The insights shared by Adrienne Carmack Brown in this episode provide a deep dive into the frameworks and strategies vital for sustainable substance misuse prevention. Tune in to hear the entire conversation and gain more knowledge about fostering drug-free communities through youth engagement and community coalitions. Stay connected with "School Wellness" for upcoming episodes packed with valuable content.
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    44 mins
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I have worked in foster care and schools for over 30 years and learned new information from Jo. the toolkit sounds like an great resource!

information I can Use

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