Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey

During the period of January 9 to 20, 2023 CPSB students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 in our district are taking part in an important survey on substance abuse, school dropout, delinquency, and violence. The survey is called the Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey. 

The purpose of the survey is to gather information needed to plan prevention and intervention programs in our community and schools. These programs will address problems of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, school dropout, delinquency and violence in our schools and communities. Information will also help judge the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention efforts. I have a copy of the survey instrument at the school office if you wish to stop by and review it. A copy of the survey is posted on the UL Lafayette Picard Center’s website and Bach Harrison’s website.

The survey is entirely anonymous and confidential. Students will not put their names or any other identifying information on the survey booklet. All results from the survey will be presented only in group summary form, like many opinion polls. 

The survey asks questions about behaviors students or students’ friends may or may not have done. It is important to remember that the survey is anonymous, so no student’s response will ever be able to be connected with that student. For the survey, students will be asked to respond to questions such as “How wrong do you think it is for someone your age to pick a fight with someone at school?” “Which of the following activities for people your age are available in your community?” “On how many occasions (if any) have you used marijuana in the past 30 days” “If you skipped school, would you be caught by your parents?” 

Your child’s participation in the survey is completely voluntary. Each child will be given the option of leaving blank any question that he or she prefers not to answer. You may decline to have your child participate if you wish. Please remember this survey offers your child the opportunity to share his or her confidential opinions on very important issues being faced by our youth today. If you do decline, your son or daughter will be allowed to read or participate in some other alternative activity while his or her classmates are taking the survey. 

The survey is being conducted by Bach-Harrison L.L.C., under contract with The Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health (OBH). The project director for this survey is Kelsey Kraft (801-791-7841) (kelsey@bach-harrison.com). Please feel free to contact her or Ray Biggar (337-482-1547) (rwb7213@louisiana.edu) if you have any questions regarding the survey.  

Please notify the school principal only if you do not wish your son or daughter to participate in the survey no later than Tuesday, December 13. You may do this by sending a short letter requesting that your child not participate. Feel free to contact your school principal if you have any other questions about this important study.