Youth Voices Count Survey Services
Let your community's youth be heard.
The Youth Voices Count Survey is an online behavioral health survey for youth in grades 6 to 12. It uses youth friendly language, takes about 20 minutes, and helps young people feel heard and know their voices count.
The Step 1 document explains how the survey works and includes sample report pages.
20 min
or less to complete
Attention Connecticut
School districts, nonprofits and municipalities may qualify for a reduced cost.
What the survey covers
The issues young people are dealing with today
The survey looks at youth attitudes, perceptions and behaviors, plus the risk and protective factors behind them.
Substance use
Including vaping
Mental health
And toxic stress
Gambling
Attitudes and behavior
Gaming
Online and offline
Social media
Screen time, benefits, challenges
Connection
To school and community
Add on modules are available for bullying, sexual behaviors, toxic stress and extracurricular activities.
Why communities choose it
Built by prevention and evaluation professionals
- Identifies groups of young people facing more risk, so prevention can be targeted
- Created to support data driven public health planning models
- Approved by DFC Me and SAMHSA
- Statistical significance package that highlights youth protective factors
- Customizable to the questions your community is asking
- Available in Spanish, with other languages on request
Our approach
Over 50 years of combined survey experience
Our team brings more than 50 years of combined survey and statistical research on youth behaviors, perspectives and experiences, especially around substance use, mental health and related risk and protective factors.
The survey is adapted from the ERASE Student Survey, which grew out of the Governor's Prevention Initiative for Youth Student Survey used across Connecticut in 2000. It also draws on the CT School Health Survey and the CPES Young Adults Statewide Survey, and keeps up with emerging issues like vaping, online gaming, gambling, toxic stress and social media.
Youth and professionals in prevention, survey development, evaluation, internet safety and school mental health helped shape the tool through document reviews and focus groups.
How it works
From planning to presentation, we are with you
01
Plan and customize
We meet with your team, settle on timing and tailor the survey to your needs.
02
Students take it online
About 20 minutes in class, in friendly language that keeps students engaged.
03
Get clear reports
Results come back quickly, in organized tables that summarize key findings and trends.
04
Share the results
We can present findings to your coalition, school board or town leaders.
Recently surveyed school districts and communities
What our clients say
Districts and coalitions on working with us
“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.”
“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. Bonnie Smith did a phenomenal job walking us through the entire survey process.”
“The survey process was smooth and timely, about 15 to 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. We look forward to surveying with them again in two years!”
“I felt that this was the first survey that we have done in the school that really connects to what we are going through and what is actually happening.”
Survey data in action
How New Britain used its data to tackle youth access to opioids
New Britain Youth Prevention took its Youth Voices Count results and turned them into a short, data focused public service announcement.
Credit: New Britain Youth Prevention Coalition. Coalition website (opens in a new tab), Facebook (opens in a new tab), Instagram @NByouthprevention.
Go further
Compare youth and adult perspectives
Pair your youth survey with an adult community survey and we can compare the two. In one community, adults thought substances were easier for young people to get than youth themselves reported.
Who is the Youth Voices Count Survey for?
Youth in grades 6 to 12. Schools, prevention coalitions, nonprofits and towns use it to understand what young people in their community are experiencing.
How long does the survey take?
Most students finish in 20 minutes or less. It runs online and uses youth friendly language, with a few fun memes and photos along the way to keep students engaged.
What topics does it cover?
Substance use including vaping, mental health, gambling, gaming, social media, and school and community connection, along with risk and protective factors. Add on modules cover bullying, sexual behaviors, toxic stress and extracurricular activities.
Is the survey available in Spanish?
Yes. The survey is available in Spanish, and other languages may be available on request.
Can the survey be customized?
Yes. We work with you during planning to customize the survey so it answers the questions your community cares about.
What do we get at the end?
Easy to read reports that summarize key findings and trends, a statistical significance package that highlights protective factors, and a presentation of results for your coalition or school board.
Is there reduced pricing for Connecticut organizations?
Connecticut school districts, nonprofits and government or municipal organizations may qualify for a reduced cost. You can check eligibility through the reduced cost form on this page.
Ready to uplift youth voices in your community?
Schedule a virtual overview of the survey tool and reporting. For more information, contact Bonnie Smith at bonnie@bwsmithconsulting.com or 860.995.5853.