Our Product
Our Approach
Youth Voices Count Survey Services is prepared to provide your school, community or organization with over 50 years combined experience of survey and statistical research regarding youth behaviors, perspectives and experience, specific to substance use, mental health and related risk
and protective factors.
The Youth Voices Count Survey is for youth in grades 6–12, it is implemented online, focusing on youth friendly language, and allowing for youth to feel heard and know their “voices count.” Our Youth Voices Count Survey (YVCS) is adapted from the “ERASE Student Survey” which originated out of the Governor’s Prevention Initiative for Youth (GPIY) Student Survey, a school survey that was distributed throughout the State of Connecticut in 2000. Other survey influences include: The CT School Health Survey, The Center for Prevention Evaluation and Statistics (CPES) Young Adults Statewide Survey and most importantly, emerging issues for youth today—including vaping, online gaming, gambling, toxic stress and social media related behaviors.
The YVCS is available in Spanish and other languages may be available upon request.
Youth and professionals in the fields of prevention, survey development, program evaluation, internet safety and school mental health staff have been a critical part of the establishment of the survey tool, providing feedback through document review and focus groups.
~ ATTENTION ~
Connecticut School Districts, Non-Profits
and Government/Municipal Organizations
CLICK HERE
To see if you qualify for a REDUCED COST on our SURVEY SERVICE.
To schedule a meeting with our team to learn more about our Survey Services, CLICK HERE!
Recently Surveyed School Districts
what our clients have to say…
“Wethersfield Public Schools had the opportunity to apply for two competitive grants this year which focused on increasing mental health support for students and to support students who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
The Youth Voices Count Survey data allowed us to clearly articulate the trends we have seen
in increased risky behavior of our students. We believe that this quantitative data was instrumental in securing over $500,000 in competitive grant funds for our schools. The reports were easy to read and summarized key findings and trends that were relevant for the grant applications.
It has been easy to work with Bonnie from the planning stage through the presentation of results.”
Sally Dastoli
Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Curriculum and Instruction
“I think the survey was good to do, because not everyone tells the truth [in person] but with the survey being anonymous,
some people may be honest with their answers.
It’s hard to get the truth sometimes because kids want to be cool and act like they don’t care.”
– Anonymous Student
“The data that our region was able to receive through the Youth Voices Count Survey has been critical in guiding the way in which we serve our youth and families. Having accurate and timely information around substance use, perceived risk as well as mental health challenges has provided our organization with the information we need to talk with our School Administrators, Town Leaders, and Coalition members about how we can best serve, educator and advocate for our youth. Bonnie Smith did a phenomenal job walking us through the entire survey process, including customizing the survey to meet our needs as well as
presenting the findings to our coalition and school board. Her services were professional, detailed and critical to our agency’s strategy for prevention for the remainder of this year.“
Tressa Giordano
Executive Director,
AHM Youth and Family Services
“In 2020 The Wolcott CASA Coalition was looking for a new organization to administer student surveys in their school district to better capture mental health, substance use, and other youth risky behaviors. The coalition found everything they were looking for in the Youth Voices Count Survey with
B. Weyland Smith Consulting Survey Services.
The survey process was smooth and timely that took about
15-20 minutes for students to complete with fun memes and photos along the way to keep students engaged. Bonnie is extremely flexible and easy to work with. In addition, we got our results back quickly and the survey reports were
easily digestible. Bonnie presented the results in easy to read organized tables. The coalition and Wolcott School Board of Education were overall very pleased with the new survey and the seamless process from start to finish. We look forward to surveying with them again in two years!“
Haley Brown, Project Director Wolcott CASA
Wolcott Public Schools
An example of how the City of New Britain, Connecticut
has used their Youth Voices Count data
to address youth access to opioids…
Facebook Page/URL https://www.facebook.com/NBRecovers
Instagram Handle NByouthprevention Coalition Website https://www.nbyouthprevention.com/
About Us
Bonnie W. Smith,
MPH, CPH, CPP
CEO
Bonnie W. Smith has over 20 years experience in substance abuse and problem gambling prevention, mental health promotion, including coalition capacity building, program planning and management, grant writing and public health program evaluation. In 2005 she completed her Master of Public Health at the University of Connecticut, with a focus on the use of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework in Connecticut’s Prevention Infrastructure.
She is a charter recipient for the National Certification in Public Health (2008) and a Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) (2016). She has presented at a number of professional conferences including but not limited to National Problem Gambling, 2002; Office on Women’s Health Region 1, Annual Conference 2011; Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), 2012; National Prevention Network, 2014, Connecticut’s National Prevention Week Conference, 2017; Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling Annual Conference, 2017; Connecticut Public Health Association Conference, 2017; CT Data Collaborative Conference, 2017; National Prevention Network (NPN), 2018.
The majority of Bonnie’s work now centers with clients around data driven planning and program evaluation for Federal, State and local grant programs. Her approach is one of partnership with her clients and colleagues.
Lucas Smith, CFA, FRM
COO / Lead Data Analyst
Lucas Smith has over 20 years in data-driven decision making. He has a background in project management, investment data management, reporting, and advisory with Fortune 500 companies. In 2018 he transitioned his data focus from financial data analysis and reporting to public health data and reporting with B. Weyland Smith Consulting. Luke is responsible for leading analysis of primary and secondary data as well as management of finance and operations. He is a leader in data collection workflow planning, establishing data management platforms, analysis and reporting in service of organizations, communities, and program requirements. He leverages skills in statistics, finance, and technological tools such as SPSS, Alteryx, and VBA programming. Luke is an alumnus of the University of Connecticut School of Business and holds the CFA and FRM designations.
Alyssa Gilbert, MPH
Lead Evaluation Associate
Alyssa Gilbert has more than seven years experience in behavioral health research and assessment. She holds a B.S. in Health Science Studies from Quinnipiac University. In 2018 she earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Connecticut with a concentration on substance misuse. Her work experience includes utilizing data management skills to update, maintain, and analyze data using SAS, SPSS, NVivo, and ArcGIS. She has experience in Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) strategic planning as well as the Strategic Prevention Framework. Alyssa has supported the evaluation of grants such as SAMHSA’s Partnerships for Success and State Opioid Response grants, and NACCHO’s Implementing Overdose Response Strategies at the Local Level (IOPSLL) amongst others.
As Lead Evaluation Associate at B. Weyland Smith Consulting, Alyssa compiles data from various reporting systems to provide clients with weekly or monthly summary reports and works to merge and maintain datasets to support these initiatives. She also supports analysis and reporting of the Youth Voices Count survey.
Kirsten Carew, MPH
Public Health Data Analyst
Kirsten Carew has over three years experience as an Epidemiologist in the field of public health as well as over 10 years of experience compiling and analyzing data to inform decision making for stakeholders. In 2020, she earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Connecticut and holds a degree in Business Administration from Boston University. Her work experience includes utilizing quantitative and qualitative data sources to analyze gaps and inform the development of a Community Health Needs Assessment, developing partnerships with community leaders such as school superintendents, school nurses, social and senior service directors and collaborating with team members on grant applications. She has experience working with ODMAP, EpiCenter, and Tableau Public.
As Public Health Data Analyst at B. Weyland Smith Consulting, Kirsten supports clients in data collection, analysis, program evaluation and grant reporting.
Let your communities youths’ voices be heard and their needs identified.
For more information about Youth Voices Count Survey Services please contact:
Bonnie Smith
e: bonnie@bwsmithconsulting.com
p: 860.266.5853