Hello Everyone,
I’m happy to be writing this to tell you all about the exciting things going on with GameChanger right now, but first, I’d like to introduce myself and tell a little bit about me! My name is Kim Legg and I am originally from Greenbrier County. I graduated from Greenbrier West High School and went on from there to attend Marshall University. There I earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Psychology and continued on to earn an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. I have had the privilege of serving as a School Psychologist in Wayne County for ten years and in Cabell County for around a year. At the beginning of this school year, I was presented with the opportunity to serve as the Director of Prevention for this amazing nonprofit. Since then, I’ve met many wonderful people with big hearts. They have all stepped up to serve the youth of our state as they work to lay the ground work for game-changing prevention education programs in our schools.
GameChanger is currently partnering with Hazelden Betty Ford Prevention Solutions, to bring their trailblazing prevention programs to twelve pilot schools across West Virginia. Each of these schools have a GameChanger coach that works closely with our Prevention Solutions team to review current in-school prevention practices and identify risk factors and other challenges impacting our students. Over the last few months, we have conducted interviews and surveyed students, faculty and other stakeholders. The data we’ve collected will help inform and shape our prevention programs to best fit the needs of our individual school populations.
I traveled A LOT in October, and I have found much is being done within our communities and schools to ensure the well being and health of our young people. While we see much in the news and on social media about youth substance misuse, the data we have collected indicates that most students are making healthy choices about the use of harmful substances. I have found it encouraging that many amazing things are being done to help with the healthy development of our young people. There is still much work to be done, but all those working with GameChanger, as well as the other prevention programs across the state are committed to working together to ensure a substance-free future for our state’s young people!
In my next Prevention Korner, I plan to update you on all the things GameChanger has in the works. Until next time, thanks for stopping by!