Positive Community Norms is based on “the Science of the Positive,” the study of how positive factors impact culture and experience. Positive Community Norms closes the gap between what we believe to be true and what is actually true. By talking about positive behaviors rather than emphasizing negative behavior, and inadvertently making that seem common or even attractive, Positive Community Norms brings forward the message that the positive is the norm.

 

According to the Minnesota Student Survey, MOST DGF 8th, 9th, and 11th graders DON'T use substances monthly or more often! This is good news, however we are very concerned because the use rates in DGF are actually higher than the state average. It's also true that MOST of our students grossly over-estimate the frequency that their peers are using substances. As a community, we can work together to correct misperceptions so that more and more youth choose NOT to use.

 

Clay County Public Health received a grant for services to be provided at DGF Public Schools for the next four years! The Positive Community Norms (PCN) grant will work with our three communities: Dilworth, Glyndon, and Felton. This PCN framework has shown itself to be extremely effective in creating meaningful social change in the areas of health and safety issues including traffic safety, underage drinking, binge drinking, child maltreatment and many others.