Youth 360: Implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model in Seward, Alaska. - The Seward Prevention Coalition is implementing the Youth 360 program in partnership with Planet Youth to reduce alcohol and cannabis use among young people in Seward, Alaska. The program is based on the Icelandic Prevention Model, which has been successful in reducing substance use among young people in Iceland. Using a strategic planning process, the program involves multiple stakeholders in identifying community needs and setting goals. The program aligns with the seven steps to community-wide change highlighted in the DFC grant application and the Domains of Primary Prevention. The Seward Prevention Coalition has identified alcohol and cannabis as priority substances to address in the community due to their prevalence and negative impact on youth. Youth 360 employs evidence-based prevention strategies, including increasing protective factors such as family support, school engagement, and positive peer relationships, and decreasing risk factors such as availability, perception of harm, and community norms that promote substance use. The program uses various prevention strategies, including environmental, universal, and selective prevention, to target different levels of risk and protective factors. The program has set specific goals and anticipated outcomes for the community, including reducing alcohol and cannabis use among young people, increasing protective factors, and changing community norms around substance use. To measure success, the program will track outcomes using data from various sources, including the Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey and local data on substance use and related harms. By implementing Youth 360, the Seward Prevention Coalition and Planet Youth hope to create a healthier, safer, and more vibrant community for young people. The program is designed to empower youth and engage the entire community in prevention efforts, with the ultimate goal of creating a culture where substance use is not the norm. Through the Youth 360 program, Seward, Alaska has the opportunity to become a model for effective substance use prevention at the community level.
