Evaluators at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) assessed the effectiveness of Middle School PREP in 2009.
Findings were as follows:
Social Skills (self-confidence, cooperation, social competency) improved significantly from program entry to program exit. These significant improvements were found for all four sessions combined and for each of the individual sessions.
There were also statistically significant positive improvements in problem behaviors (fighting, yelling, arguing, bullying, etc.). Again, these improvements were seen for each individual session and the four sessions combined.
Impulsivity (sitting still, self-control, etc.) improved significantly for all four sessions combined and each individual session.
Mood (worried, withdrawn, and fearful) improved for youth in each PREP session and the four sessions combined.
As the Middle School PREP program temporarily closes its doors and continues the pursuit for funding, we remain excited and curious to the possibilities ahead. This is not the end, it is a new beginning.