Our Projects
We created a strategic plan based on local data that includes public awareness strategies, environmental strategies and direct services to parents and youth. We have the following goals:
We evaluate progress through annual community surveys, coalition assessment tools, Healthy Youth Survey, and pre and post surveys.
- Increase community connectedness through training, coalition meetings, community events, supporting “Healthy Transitions, Healthy Choices” and National Red Ribbon Campaign at Discovery.
- Reduce youth access to alcohol and marijuana by improving community norms through a Positive Community Norms Campaign and Point-of-Purchase Campaign.
- Reduce youth access to alcohol and marijuana by increasing perception of risk through family management parenting and family education (Guiding Good Choices and Incredible Years).
We evaluate progress through annual community surveys, coalition assessment tools, Healthy Youth Survey, and pre and post surveys.
Our Projects
Some of our efforts are outlined below. Click on each project (or the "+" button) below to learn more.
Click here to visit our Mission page and review background on why we chose these projects to address the needs of our community in west Vancouver.
Click here to visit our Mission page and review background on why we chose these projects to address the needs of our community in west Vancouver.
Guiding Good Choices- Parenting Education
Guiding Good Choices is a program for parents with children ages 9-14 that helps to establish and strengthen family values and expectations around substance use prevention.
Guiding Good Choices strengthens family bonds, increases children's involvement in the family, provides strategies to promote healthy behaviors in our children, reduces risk for behavior problems and improves parent-child relationships during the "tween" years.
In a 4-year follow-up study, the Guiding Good Choices program was shown to:
A follow-up study showed that young adults whose parents attended the Guiding Good Choices program 10 years earlier were:
In other clinical studies, the Guiding Good Choices program has been shown to:
(The original studies were published in Prevention Science and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Specific citations are available upon request.)
In a randomized clinical trial, the program was found to significantly reduce the rate at which adolescents develop depression. For one of the symptoms of depression -- feelings of worthlessness and inferiority -- risk reduction was as high as 28%. The program was also found to significantly slow the typical rate at which multiple substance use (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) increases during adolescence. Data from Channing-Bete.com.
In 2022-2023 we have educated over 20 parents on Guiding Good Choices in our English and Spanish sessions.
Guiding Good Choices strengthens family bonds, increases children's involvement in the family, provides strategies to promote healthy behaviors in our children, reduces risk for behavior problems and improves parent-child relationships during the "tween" years.
In a 4-year follow-up study, the Guiding Good Choices program was shown to:
- reduce current alcohol use by 40.6%
- significantly reduce the rates of initiation for marijuana and drunkenness.
A follow-up study showed that young adults whose parents attended the Guiding Good Choices program 10 years earlier were:
- 9% less likely to get drunk
- 11% less likely to have alcohol-related problems
- 11% less likely to smoke cigarettes
- 16% less likely to use illicit drugs
- 10% more likely to be free of all measured substance use problems.
In other clinical studies, the Guiding Good Choices program has been shown to:
- reduce the likelihood experimental users will advance to heavier use by 54%
- increase the likelihood non-users will remain drug-free by 26%.
- reduce the likelihood young people will commit delinquent acts.
(The original studies were published in Prevention Science and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Specific citations are available upon request.)
In a randomized clinical trial, the program was found to significantly reduce the rate at which adolescents develop depression. For one of the symptoms of depression -- feelings of worthlessness and inferiority -- risk reduction was as high as 28%. The program was also found to significantly slow the typical rate at which multiple substance use (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) increases during adolescence. Data from Channing-Bete.com.
In 2022-2023 we have educated over 20 parents on Guiding Good Choices in our English and Spanish sessions.
Incredible Years- Parenting Education
Incredible Years is an evidence-based parenting class for parents/caregivers of children ages 2-8. Parents learn simple strategies to help encourage positive behavior and emotionally connect with their child. Research shows children whose parents complete Incredible Years are less likely to have behavior problems, school issues or drug use later in life.
Key Leader EventS
Community Brainstorm Series
This year, we hosted a brainstorming series titled “A Community Brainstorm: How Do We Build a Resilient and Connected Community?” to hear from community members their ideas for creating connections, building resilience, and preventing youth substance use.
Thank you to CoLab Coworking, Discovery Middle School, and Fruit Valley Neighborhood Association for sharing your space with us! And thank you to everyone who participated in our brainstorming sessions!
Thank you to CoLab Coworking, Discovery Middle School, and Fruit Valley Neighborhood Association for sharing your space with us! And thank you to everyone who participated in our brainstorming sessions!
Put Youth First!
On Feb. 1, 2018, we brought principals, school boards, policy makers, coalition representatives and other key leaders together to share with one another how to keep youth healthy and to learn about substance prevention research and what local coalitions are implementing in our community to support youth and families.
Positive Community Norms Messaging Campaign
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In winter 2019, we ran this billboard off Fourth Plain and Fort Vancouver Way, near Clark College, the VA and McDonald's.
We want more west Vancouver adults to know and share our community's strength: 91% of west Vancouver adults believe we need to talk to our kids about the risks of underage drinking.
We'll have another billboard running next year (2019-2020) with another positive community norm.
We want more west Vancouver adults to know and share our community's strength: 91% of west Vancouver adults believe we need to talk to our kids about the risks of underage drinking.
We'll have another billboard running next year (2019-2020) with another positive community norm.
In summer 2018, we ran this billboard on Highway 99 above Muchas Gracias, this message in The Columbian, and a message at Kiggins Theatre. In October 2018, we mailed a postcard featuring this message to west Vancouver residents.
We want youth to know we care about them!
What Are Positive Community Norms?
According to Social Norms Theory, it is believed that false perceptions lead to a greater adoption of risky behavior than would occur if the true norms of the peer group were understood and believed. People tend to behave the way they believe is most typical of and accepted by their peers (Most of Us, 2012). If we close perception gaps by highlighting the strengths in the west Vancouver community and focus on what adults are doing well for young people, research shows that positive community norms can be strengthened.
WVY Positive Community Norms Brand:
OUR future is YOUth
WVY Positive Community Norms Foundational Message:
West Vancouver Cares About Our Youth
Background:
In 2013, we had representatives attend the Most of Us Positive Community Norms (PCN) training, conducted needs and resource assessments, we worked with Montana State University (MSU) to gather and compile data from 1,300 west Vancouver homes. MSU provided us with a Key Findings Report as well as raw data.
Upon receipt of the Key Findings report, Montana Institute served as a consultant to provide a guide service. The guide service assisted with creating the positive norms campaign messaging based on the key findings, and guided us through campaign implementation. Montana Institute helped with ongoing technical assistance and guidance in implementing positive community norms at the community level, analyzing original survey data with the purpose of exploring & developing additional normative messages, and assisting in message development.
We want youth to know we care about them!
What Are Positive Community Norms?
According to Social Norms Theory, it is believed that false perceptions lead to a greater adoption of risky behavior than would occur if the true norms of the peer group were understood and believed. People tend to behave the way they believe is most typical of and accepted by their peers (Most of Us, 2012). If we close perception gaps by highlighting the strengths in the west Vancouver community and focus on what adults are doing well for young people, research shows that positive community norms can be strengthened.
WVY Positive Community Norms Brand:
OUR future is YOUth
WVY Positive Community Norms Foundational Message:
West Vancouver Cares About Our Youth
Background:
In 2013, we had representatives attend the Most of Us Positive Community Norms (PCN) training, conducted needs and resource assessments, we worked with Montana State University (MSU) to gather and compile data from 1,300 west Vancouver homes. MSU provided us with a Key Findings Report as well as raw data.
Upon receipt of the Key Findings report, Montana Institute served as a consultant to provide a guide service. The guide service assisted with creating the positive norms campaign messaging based on the key findings, and guided us through campaign implementation. Montana Institute helped with ongoing technical assistance and guidance in implementing positive community norms at the community level, analyzing original survey data with the purpose of exploring & developing additional normative messages, and assisting in message development.
Annual Community Survey
Stay tuned! Our next annual community survey will be distributed between July 2023 and November 2023. Our most recent community survey was completed in Nov. 2022 and we got a grand total of 250 community surveys! We will be discussing the results from the Community Survey at one of our coalition meetings in May 2023. Email [email protected] if you are interested in attending.
Each year we survey the community to better understand their attitudes and beliefs, what they perceive to be a problem in the community and the norms they experience on a regular basis. The survey asks about your views on youth substance use in the community.
We will use this information to help us understand your thoughts and feelings in order to better serve youth in our community. This survey informs the work we do and how we prioritize our strategies for prevention.
This survey is anonymous. We will not know who you are or which responses are yours. Your responses will be kept confidential and will be reported only in the aggregate (combined with other responses).
This survey is voluntary. That means you can skip any question or stop the survey at any time. The survey will take about 15 minutes.
At the end we'll ask questions about Positive Community Norms. We are currently developing new messaging to share with West Vancouver and we want you to help us shape our core message. Your responses will directly influence this work.
Each year we survey the community to better understand their attitudes and beliefs, what they perceive to be a problem in the community and the norms they experience on a regular basis. The survey asks about your views on youth substance use in the community.
We will use this information to help us understand your thoughts and feelings in order to better serve youth in our community. This survey informs the work we do and how we prioritize our strategies for prevention.
This survey is anonymous. We will not know who you are or which responses are yours. Your responses will be kept confidential and will be reported only in the aggregate (combined with other responses).
This survey is voluntary. That means you can skip any question or stop the survey at any time. The survey will take about 15 minutes.
At the end we'll ask questions about Positive Community Norms. We are currently developing new messaging to share with West Vancouver and we want you to help us shape our core message. Your responses will directly influence this work.
Support Discovery Middle School
We support the Student Assistance Professional (SAP) at Discovery Middle School. The SAP is an essential part of our community and our youth. The SAP attends coalition meetings and steering committee meetings when possible to help give us firsthand knowledge of what youth are experiencing, their needs, school culture, and how to connect our work to their world.
We work with Discovery Middle School to offer resource tables during school events like Go Ready!, Back to School Night, and Curriculum Night, and during schools programs like Healthy Transitions-Healthy Choices. We also involve young people in prevention during Red Ribbon Week and we always seek more opportunities to connect with the young people at Discovery.
We work with Discovery Middle School to offer resource tables during school events like Go Ready!, Back to School Night, and Curriculum Night, and during schools programs like Healthy Transitions-Healthy Choices. We also involve young people in prevention during Red Ribbon Week and we always seek more opportunities to connect with the young people at Discovery.
Prescription drug Take back Event
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We promote and partner with the Central Vancouver Coalition, law enforcement and health providers to provide 2 annual prescription drug take-back events in Clark County and west Vancouver. Medicine take-back events are the only secure and environmentally sound way to dispose of leftover and expired prescription and over-the-counter medication.
In October 2022 take back sites in Clark County collected a total of 2,678 pounds, 1,284 pounds were collected at the Peace Health Site on Main St. and 33rd. Good work west Vancouver! |
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What method is used to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication?
All prescription and over-the-counter medication collected at event sites are safely incinerated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Need to dispose of unwanted or expired medication year round?
For more information regarding our participation in the Drug Take Back event, visit www.preventcoalition.org/resources/ or find a take-back location at www.takebackyourmeds.org/.
For information about safe disposal of unwanted medications, visit www.ClarkGreenNeighbors.org/meds or contact Clark County Public Health at 564.397.4352.
All prescription and over-the-counter medication collected at event sites are safely incinerated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Need to dispose of unwanted or expired medication year round?
For more information regarding our participation in the Drug Take Back event, visit www.preventcoalition.org/resources/ or find a take-back location at www.takebackyourmeds.org/.
For information about safe disposal of unwanted medications, visit www.ClarkGreenNeighbors.org/meds or contact Clark County Public Health at 564.397.4352.
Policy work
Interested in Policy work that is happening in your community?
The 2023 legislative session begins in January. There could be dozens of new state representatives and senators who know little about prevention. There will also be lots of issues that affect the availability of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances in our community, as well as proposals that could either strengthen or weaken prevention efforts in the state.
Check out leg.wa.gov to learn about what is happening in Washington state.
The 2023 legislative session begins in January. There could be dozens of new state representatives and senators who know little about prevention. There will also be lots of issues that affect the availability of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances in our community, as well as proposals that could either strengthen or weaken prevention efforts in the state.
Check out leg.wa.gov to learn about what is happening in Washington state.
National Red Ribbon Week Campaign
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We partner with schools in the west Vancouver service area, working with local businesses and local government offices to develop and implement awareness of local youth substance prevention efforts. Some things we do for Red Ribbon Week include:
Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31) is a great time for families to talk about what drug and alcohol prevention means to them. Get involved by connecting with us! The community plants red tulip bulbs during Red Ribbon Week, which bloom in the spring and serve as a reminder of the importance and beauty of helping kids make healthy choices and working on youth substance prevention. |
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