Monday, April 15, 2024
4/15/2024
WestCare Pacific Islands, Inc. (WPI) is seeking $300,000 annually for five years to reduce and prevent alcohol and marijuana use by 15% by youth ages 10-18 on Guam through Maolek Na Lina’La (“Life is Good”), a broad approach expanding community prevention strategies through comprehensive Needs Assessment, Capacity Assessment, and Environmental Scans and incorporating input from the community-at-large. Working with a cross-sector coalition including the Mayor’s Office, schools, key leaders, and community stakeholders, and accessing the resources of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center, this proposed program will work to modify and change policies that enable underage drinking and marijuana use while increasing social support for substance-free lifestyles through the community-wide Champion Campaign, which will coincide with National Awareness Month in September. A key strategy is enlisting the participation of youth through training five (5) Peer Leaders each year from among the target population to assist in the development and implementation of messaging, public awareness and media campaigns. Concurrently, Maolek Na Lina’La will deliver the evidence-based curriculum Positive Action with community and 250 unduplicated middle- and high-school youth per year, and conduct parent-directed Communication Campaign to 125 parents of 1) middle school-age youth that includes the evidence-based Talk. They Hear You campaign PSAs; 2) middle- and high-school students on local Social Host laws and consequences before Homecoming, Prom, and pre-graduation events, Parent-Teacher Organization meetings, and other related events. Environmental strategies will include signage at “mom ‘n’ pop” stores and public gathering spaces. All program components will be delivered to enhance access and reduce barriers in a multicultural, multilingual approach that is compatible with the unique cultural composition of Guam. Through this multipronged strategy, families and adults over age 26 will also receive important messaging regarding substance use and prevention, thereby effecting positive change throughout the community. Through this program, WPI and community partners Department of Education, Department of Youth Affairs, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, Mayor’s Council, Payu-Ta, Office of Catholic Education, and Coalition for a Drug-Free Dededo (CDFD) will expand the work and effectiveness of the State Epidemiology Work Group and CDFD, funded through SAMHSA’s Drug-Free Communities program. To accomplish the overall target reduction in alcohol and marijuana by 2025, as measured by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and focus groups, WPI will employ a Project Director, Lead Epidemiologist/Research Assistant, two Prevention Specialists, and the services of WPI’s Vice President of Operations and a contracted Evaluator through WestCare’s Research and Evaluation Department. Ultimately, this program will not only achieve the target outcomes of substance use reduction and prevention, but change attitudes, norms, and ultimately youth behavior regarding substance use.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
