Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition - Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition Project Abstract Summary Adams County, Ohio, has been designated the poorest community in Ohio with a 23.8% poverty rate and a median household income of $36,320, which is $16,000 less than the state average. This poverty rate means that an alarming 72.9% of Adams County youth are eligible for Ohio’s free or reduced lunch program. Alcohol use is widespread in Adams County, with 40% of adults reporting having had at least one alcoholic beverage in the past month, and 18% having binged in the past month. Low educational attainment, family poverty, unemployment, and low access to medical care are all risk factors for youth alcohol use. By age 12, from 20% to 28% of our youth have tried alcohol. Adult use of tobacco and electronic vaping devices is 30.2%, significantly higher than the national median of 20%, and an obvious risk factor for youth tobacco use. The purpose of the Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition is to reverse these problems by convening a cross-system group of community stakeholders to strategically determine environmental prevention strategies that help youth build resiliency and reduce risk factors associated with youth substance use. By working at the community and environmental levels, the coalition’s activities are specifically designed to positively impact prevalence rates of youth use of alcohol and tobacco at the population-health level. This work supports the coalition’s mission which is “to minimize substance use among Adams County youth.” Utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework and CADCA’s Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change, Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition will achieve the following outcomes that are aligned with their 12-Month Action Plan. Short-term outcomes: Coalition members will be fully informed about youth substance use and the importance of proactively implementing evidence-based prevention strategies. More parents will become aware of the dangers of underage drinking and tobacco use. Coalition members and prevention providers will be trained in prevention best practices and in the Dover Youth 2 Youth program to empower youth coalition members. The number of prosocial activities for youth and families will increase. The number of organizational partnerships will increase to provide greater access to evidence-based prevention strategies that are integrated into community structures where youth naturally spend time. Businesses and organizations will be recognized for positive practices. Signage advertising alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products will decrease. Alcohol and tobacco policies will be reviewed at schools, faith institutions, workplaces, and community centers, and recommendations for policy modifications will be made according to best practice standards. Intermediate outcomes: Local businesses will become more knowledgeable about the dangers and prevalence of underage drinking and tobacco use. Coalition members will have the skill sets needed to implement environmental prevention strategies identified in the coalition’s 12-Month Action Plan. Youth leaders will become more skilled and knowledgeable in encouraging peers not to use alcohol and tobacco. Youth participation in prosocial activities will increase. More organizations will initiate and sustain prevention activities and strategies. Youth access to alcohol and tobacco will decrease. Less youth will be exposed to alcohol, tobacco, and vaping product advertisements. More youth will be exposed to prevention programming as a result of policy changes. Long-term outcomes: The overall number and retention of coalition members will increase. Fewer youth will drink alcohol and use tobacco
