The Changing Health Acting Together (CHAT) initiative is an evidence-based, whole-school approach to resilience, road safety and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) education developed by School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA). It supports schools to structure and implement sustainable, whole school health initiatives that focus on building resilience through innovative approaches to AOD and road safety education, that relate directly to their unique school context.

The CHAT Initiative is a developmental process and has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.  All schools start at Bronze level, setting three SMART targets to work towards at each level.

Six Catholic schools from across the state are currently engaged in the CHAT initiative and have attained a number of different levels. These include:

• Djarindjin Lombadina Catholic School
• Sacred Heart School – Beagle Bay
• St Anthony’s School – Wanneroo
• St Damien’s Catholic Primary School
• St Matthew’s School – Narrogin
• St Patrick’s School – Katanning

These schools have received funding from SDERA as well as free classroom resources, whole-school workshops, intensive in-school support and access to a range of professional development focusing on resilience, AOD and road safety for school staff.

For more information about the CHAT initiative or to find out how SDERA can help your school visit SDERA.wa.edu.au

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