MARCH, 2021

Commemorating 40 Years With A Brand Refresh

In celebration of our 40-year history, Prevention First is proud and eager to announce our brand refresh! This move is coupled with a re-alignment of all programs and signals our renewed commitment to launching innovative, new prevention programs. We have adopted a new framework to demonstrate our mission in action: advise, amplify, and advocate. Moving forward, our belief that every decision matters, continues to drive our unwavering commitment of evidence-based approaches to prevention.

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" We wanted our revised brand and a new framework to show our commitment to creating a greater impact across our state and beyond. " – Karel Homrig, Executive Director

Local Success Story The APRC is excited to share an outstanding success story about the +Positive Youth Development Coalition of Oak Park and River Forest Townships. They have dedicated time and effort to successfully reduce retail access of alcohol in their community. Read the full story here. Here to Help The APRC can assist you in analyzing your IYS data, selecting strategies, and building capacity on alcohol policy. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Kellie Henrichs or Jody Heavilin. 

Clearinghouse Take advantage of resources in the APRC's new Clearinghouse! Requests can be made by downloading the Clearinghouse Form and emailing it to Jody Heavilin. The resources will then be mailed to you.

After much preparation, Prevention First is excited to launch the Youth Prevention Resource Center (YPRC)! The YPRC offers on-site and virtual training, webinars, tip sheets, and a host of other resources on various topics and issues that youth face. The YPRC is currently accepting applications for its Student Advisory Board. Any high school student interested in partnering with Prevention First's newly formed YPRC can download an application here. For more information, visit prevention.org or contact the YPRC Administrator at robyn.block@prevention.org or megan.edmondson@prevention.org.

SUBSTANCE USE TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The technical assistance offered at Prevention First expands professional development beyond training to assist substance use prevention providers in applying what they have learned in their communities. Timely, flexible and provider-tailored technical assistance is available to meet the individual needs of providers.

Online Self Study Courses

ATOD EFFECTS AND TRENDS COLLABORATING WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS INTRODUCTION TO ENGAGING YOUTH IN PREVENTION OVERVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLANNING PLANNING FOR NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK

PREVENTING PRESCRIPTION AND OPIOID MISUSE PROMOTE YOUR PREVENTION EFFORTS AND BUILD SUPPORT SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION SUPERVISOR TRAINING SERIES (STS)

For more information about technical assistance or other services we offer, email Provider Services.

SAVE THE DATE Registration for the 2021 Illinois Cannabis Symposium is coming soon! The virtual conference will take place June 22-24. With Illinois now legalizing marijuana for recreational use, Prevention First wants to utilize this conference to build relationships among stakeholders to create a shared understanding from multiple perspectives of the issues associated with legalization. With this shared understanding, we can identify responsible, measured approaches that balance the economic, social, and public health interests and support mutually beneficial policies, programs, and practices.

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NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL FACTS WEEK This month is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW)! Help shatter the myths about drugs by participating in this week-long national health observance, taking place Monday, March, 22 - Sunday, March 28. This year programming has been adapted due to the pandemic. There is still time to get involved and register! Check out these five steps to hosting an NDAFW event. You can also find ideas and resources to support your virtual or socially distanced activities. REGISTER FOR YOUR EVENT

HOW COVID-19 HAS IMPACTED MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE

Research confirms the negative effects the pandemic is having on many people's mental health. It has also created new challenges for those already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. Click here to read more.

Prevention Solutions@EDC offers diverse services to support the needs of practitioners in the field. Take advantage of some of their latest resources. Read a webinar summary of Policy Implications of COVID-19 on Alcohol and Marijuana Use here or access the webinar recording here.

Access related resources here: - Strategies for Working with the Media - Collaboration in Action Tool Kit - Using Social Media to FacilitateCollaboration - 21st Century Partners in Prevention

LOOKING AHEAD The DEA's next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 24th. This day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Check out the Partnership Toolbox to download promotional materials for Drug Take-Back Day. April is Alcohol Awareness Month! This annual campaign educates the public and highlights the dangers of alcohol misuse. There are plenty of ways communities and organizations can get involved. Check out helpful ideas and resources that CADCA offers.

Professional Development at Your Pace

Archived Webinars Don't miss out on Prevention First's collection of live webinars to watch at your own convenience: For APRC Webinars, visit their GoTo Stage for archived webinars. For Substance Use Prevention Webinars, visit SUPP Training Events- Archived Webinar on the sidebar. For Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Webinars, visit their webpage.  For SUPR Treatment & Recovery Webinars, visit SUPR Training Events- Archived Webinar on the sidebar.

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