upcoming events
core principle online course + Facilitated Conversation
The Core Principles of the Science of the Positive are a blueprint for developing soul in leadership and cultivating community in families, workplaces, and organizations.
This three-hour self-paced online course will help you create your own set of core principles: bold, aspirational statements that reflect your values and pull you towards a better you. Your principles will become an invaluable tool to help you navigate times of complexity and ambiguity in your life and work.
Sign up between now and October 20th to receive a 20% discount (use code SOTP20 at checkout), and an invitation to join a live sharing and discussion session facilitated by Carla Ritz and Becky Franks.
Crafting your Transformational Leadership Narrative
What kind of leader are you? Is your strength your positivity? Your proactive energy? Your passion for your work? Do you need to work on staying present? Or to reconnect with the purpose behind what you do?
Join us for an introspective, interactive, and inspirational opportunity to reflect on the type of leader you are...and that you want to be. You'll start by taking The Montana Institute's exclusive 86-question Science of the Positive Transformational Leadership Assessment, and receive a personalized Leadership Profile that will reveal insights into your strengths and shadows as a leader. Then you'll join Leadership Trainers Stephanie Patton and Ben Tanzer for two half-day remote workshops that will challenge you to expand clarity, effectiveness, and confidence as a community leader and change-maker.
The Science of Positive Experiences
In the early 2000s, a new research question emerged based on the Science of the Positive: What if The Positive in childhood has a lasting protective and healing impact similar to the lasting harmful impact of trauma? The resulting science of health outcomes from positive experiences is ongoing and includes strong evidence that Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) have a lifelong protective and healing effect that can mitigate the negative effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This hour-long webinar will introduce how positive experiences can enhance health for both children and adults and counteract the effects of ACEs, and help you envision how positive experiences could transform the people and communities you serve.
Led by: Carla Ritz, Managing Director
The Science of the Positive & Positive Community Norms: Foundations of Research & Practice
Those of us who work in health and safety can become hyper-focused on the dangers and problems we are trying to decrease. The Science of the Positive reverses this problem-centered frame, and centers on growing the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in our communities. When we start to look at the world through this positive, hopeful lens, it has a profound impact on the questions we ask, the data we collect, and the way we address health and safety issues.
This two and half hour workshop will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community norms frameworks, which have been used to enhance health and safety, increase protective factors, strengthen healthy norms, and transform community cultures on critical issues such as substance use, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and youth suicide.
Live and recorded access to this workshop will be provided at no additional charge to everyone who registers for the Montana Winter Institute. (link)
Led by: Sara Thompson, Director of Training and Communications & Becky Franks, Special Projects Director
Reduction of Youth Monthly Alcohol Use Using the Positive Community Norms Approach
This study evaluated the Positive Community Norms (PCN) approach in 11 Minnesota school districts over five years to correct misperceptions about peer alcohol use and reduce monthly alcohol consumption among high school students. Annual assessments showed that 8th- and 10th-grade students in PCN communities were more likely to report never using alcohol compared to a national comparison group. These results demonstrate that the PCN approach effectively corrects misperceptions and reduces teen alcohol use at the community level.
Cultural cataracts: identifying and correcting misperceptions in the media
This paper is designed for practitioners of the social norms approach, offering insights on identifying and correcting media-induced misperceptions of health norms. Instead of covering media basics, which are extensively documented in health communications literature, this article focuses on applying media skills within the social norms framework to address misperceptions of youth fostered by the media.
Youth Misperceptions of Peer Substance Use Norms: A Hidden Risk Factor in State and Community Prevention
Effective community prevention of substance abuse integrates various risk and protective factors. This study examined if youth perceptions of peer substance use norms are a significant risk factor in Wyoming's statewide prevention efforts. Analyzing data from over 8,000 students, the findings revealed that these misperceptions are a significant risk factor, comparable to others. Measuring these misperceptions is crucial for strategic community prevention efforts.
Primary Prevention Planning & Implementation (P&I) grants: An Overview & Outcomes Achieved
P&I grants aim to reduce underage alcohol consumption and enhance community capacity for ATOD prevention through five-year programs. These grants provide training and technical assistance to prepare communities for ongoing prevention efforts and eligibility for Federal Drug-Free Community grants. Community coalitions from 14 sectors conduct training, compliance checks, implement school programs, and promote youth collaboration, using a five-step strategic planning process that incorporates Positive Community Norms and the Science of the Positive framework.
COMMUNITY PREVENTION IN MINNESOTA
In 2005, the Minnesota Department of Human Services launched a new strategy to reduce youth alcohol use by funding community-based efforts. Nine communities with high alcohol use rates received Planning & Implementation (P&I) grants to implement evidence-based practices. From 2006 to 2011, these communities saw a 30% reduction in youth alcohol use, significantly closing the gap with the state average. This contrasted with a 21% reduction statewide, demonstrating the effectiveness of the P&I approach.
Reducing youth alcohol use through Positive Community Norms in Minnesota
The Positive Community Norms framework engages students, parents, teachers, and the entire community to foster healthier behaviors. Based on the "Science of the Positive," it uses data to bridge the gap between perceived and actual norms. By emphasizing positive behaviors, it counters the common misconception that negative behaviors are more prevalent. This approach has proven effective nationally in addressing health and safety issues such as traffic safety, underage drinking, binge drinking, and child maltreatment.