Evidence & impact
Blue Light Victoria works with the Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre (AERC) at Melbourne University to undertake extensive evaluation of our programs. We work to ensure that our programs meet the needs of children and young people including positive program outcomes.
Evaluation findings for our school programs are based on pre and post program surveys of students; feedback surveys from families and stakeholders; session-by-session observation reports from program facilitators; focus groups with facilitators; and interviews with police participants and teachers.
Blue EDGE
Blue EDGE is an early intervention and prevention program for secondary school students. The program aims to build positive relationships between young people, their peers, community, and police, providing them with the tools to increase their mental and physical wellbeing and make healthy safe decisions.
DASH
DASH is an in-school, whole-class program for upper primary school students that aims to increase student wellbeing and improve community connectedness. As part of their learning students develop a real-life practical project to address a community concern and engage with our partners across police, emergency services and community organisations to implement the project.
Schools Mental Health Fund Menu
In recognition of the important role schools play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people, the Department of Education has created the Schools Mental Health Fund.
The menu provides schools with opportunities to purchase evidence-based programs and initiatives across the three tiers of intervention.
This includes initiatives that:
- promote mental health and wellbeing,
- enable schools to intervene early to support students,
- provide targeted and more individualised support for students who need it.