By: Crystal Mayo, BABES Special Projects and Media Specialist
It was the news that BABES’ CEO and Founder Reverend Dr. Lottie Jones Hood had been waiting for – that SPEC Associates had analyzed both the Program and Comparison Groups’ classroom data and it was proven that the BABES Program could be certified as Evidence-Based.
*”SPEC Associates (Social Program Evaluators and Consultants), Inc., concluded that BABES K-3rd grade curriculum meets the criteria for being evidence-based as set forth in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. The evaluation provided Class A Evidence and the evaluation evidence demonstrated an Outcome Evidence Rating of ‘effective’.”
“We’ve had 40 years of success stories from both children and families nationally and around the world regarding the positive impact of BABES. Now, it is finally proven that the numbers support the work,” commented Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood, who created BABES from a personal need. See her story in the March issue of BABES AROUND THE WORLD Newsletter.
The Road to Evidence-Based Status: From a pilot program at Bunche Elementary and Spain Elementary to Program/Comparison Groups at Timbuktu Academy, Spain Elementary and Hutchinson Elementary … 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders were introduced weekly to the eight-lessons of Basic BABES: The Magic of Your Mind; Self Image and Feelings; Decision Making and Peer Pressure; Coping Skills; Alcohol and Other Drug Information; Getting Help; and Review and helping Children with Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).
*SPEC Associates was established in 1980. They believes it is possible to solve social problems and that high quality, insightful information plays an important role in finding solutions. They collect practical information, and engage their clients in reflective activities that maximize the utility of evaluation findings both to improve program design and implementation, and to demonstrate program outcomes. Their headquarter office is located in downtown Detroit, but its services are national in scope. SPEC has been used by over 150 organizations nationwide, including the Bill & Belinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, National Priorities Partnerships, and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Locally, they have worked with Wayne State University, Marygrove College, Teen HYPE, City Connect Detroit, Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Michigan Chapter, and many others.
It was an exciting time for Basic BABES graduating students who had plenty to say about their BABES experience:
2nd Grader Brandon Ruffin (Timbuktu Academy)
“If you don’t want to get cross-addicted don’t drink and do drugs like Recovering Reggie.”
2nd Grader Armanee Lofton (Timbuktu Academy)
“What I like is that the puppets are always in your mind. Like a friend you can imagine. Like the magic of your mind. I really like Bows because she’s busy like me.”
3rd Grader Jaylen Atkinson (Spain Elementary)
“Drugs are a very bad thing.”
3rd Grader Paige Sallie (Spain Elementary)
“Best part was learning about making good decisions.”
3rd Grader Malik Horton (Spain Elementary)
“Donovan Dignity is my favorite BABES puppet because he’s smart like a owl. He says we should think before we make decisions. I want to be smart like Donovan.”
1st Grader Derrick Matin (Hutchinson Elementary)
“I want to be like Early Bird because he warns people when they might get in trouble.”
1st Grader Alanna Hamilton (Hutchinson Elementary)
“I learned that if you need help you should ask for it.”
Students Enjoy Basic BABES Graduation Day
