The Navajo Nation was first introduced to the Beginning Awareness Basic Education Studies (BABES) program in 1990, when ___ Department of Behavioral Health Services prevention specialists were trained as BABES presenters. Over the past 25 years, many Navajo BABES, both “young at age”, and “young at heart”, have grown up with the positive life skills learned through the insightful and impactful stories involving those seven delightful BABES puppets named Buttons, Bows, Myth Mary, Early Bird, Donovan Dignity, Recovering Reggie, and Rhonda Rabbit.
In the meantime, life happens! Times change. Today, the Nation and the world faces greater challenges as substance use disorders and other self-defeating behaviors are on the rise. The Good News: The Navajo Nation is stepping up to the challenge!
Remembering the powerful impact BABES has had on the lives of many Navajos over the years, the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health Services (NNDBHS) again partnered with BABES World Home in May 2014 to train 20 new prevention specialists from across the Nation as BABES Trainers and BABES Presenters. Since May 2014 the BABES stories has been shared with over ___ Lower Elementary Education (K-3) students in ____ Nation communities in Arizona and New Mexico.
During 2015, the DBHS included BABES in several large events to share the good news about BABES as an effective program for prevention of substance use disorders and other self-defeating behaviors.
The Navajo Nation Fairs, held in Window Rock, AZ and Shiprock, NM, are the oldest and most traditional of the Navajo Fairs where the Navajo people of the Four Corners come to celebrate the year’s harvest with a community celebration. At the September and October 2015 Navajo Nation Fairs, the NNDBHS included BABES floats in the parades at both Window Rock and Shiprock. Following is a pictorial highlights of the BABES float preparation and involvement in these parades:
Navajo Nation Fairs, held in Window Rock, AZ and Shiprock, NM
Preparing the Puppets for the 2015 Navajo Nation Fairs in Window Rock, Arizona and Shiprock, New Mexico
DBHS Prevention Staff – BABES Facilitators lining up for the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, Arizona.
BABESWORLD float line for the Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock, New Mexico
BABESWORLD at the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) – Faith Based Summit in September 2015 in Window Rock.
The Faith Based Initiative Program of the Division of Behavioral Health Services’ (DBHS) presented a Faith Based Summit on September 23-25 at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds. The purpose of the summit was to address how faith based departments and organizations could help assist in crisis that face the Nation. The DBHS included a BABES World Skit which was well received by all who attended.
BABES World Skit at Faith Based Summit in Window Rock, AZ
The Faith Based Summit in Window Rock, AZ was open to other Native American groups, including the Pueblos Communities. Mildred Demmert, Director of Education of Pueblo Santa Ana attended the BABES skit and was very impressed with the program. Ms. Demmert is now working with BABES World Home to develop a BABES program at Pueblo Santa Anna.
