RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery - SOCIAL Coalition - The RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) Institute for Prevention and Recovery's (IFPR) Southern Ocean County Interfaith Advocacy and Leadership (SOCIAL) Coalition will implement the SAMHSA FY 2024 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program to reduce underage alcohol and e-cigarette use in youth 18 years of age and younger in Southern Ocean County, specifically in Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, and Eagleswood. This area is located in the southernmost part of Ocean County, and has a total population of 26,649, accounting for 21.7% of Southern Ocean County's total population. Northern Ocean County holds the majority of the County's resources and services, and residents of Southern Ocean County must travel by car for thirty to forty minutes to access them. The higher risk of youth alcohol and e-cigarette use coupled with the lack of local resources demonstrates a need for accessible evidence-based youth support programs in this locality. The SOCIAL Coalition's goals for this program are to reduce the availability of e-cigarettes and alcohol to youth, change social norms regarding youth alcohol and e-cigarette consumption, pass and enforce laws, policies, and practices that work to reduce youth alcohol and e-cigarette use, and establish and strengthen the collaboration among the 12 sectors of Southern Ocean County's community. The Coalition will achieve these goals by implementing a comprehensive evidence-based work plan, which includes disseminating informational tools such as signage, toolkits, and stickers; enhancing knowledge and skill-building through hosting trainings for alcohol retailers, youth, and adults; increasing opportunities for youth leadership through youth-led initiatives and peer-to-peer support; and increasing access to community resources and activities. Short-term outcomes of the program include refining SOCIAL's capacity as a coalition in the catchment area. Intermediate outcomes involve an increase in individual knowledge and community-wide social connectedness through social and educational opportunities for community residents. Long-term outcomes include a community foundation strengthened by clear, comprehensive policies. The progress of the project's goals and objectives will be measured using both qualitative and quantitative data gathered through the bicentennially administered PRIDE survey, key informant interviews and focus groups, hospital and emergency services reports, electronic health records, Children's System of Care Ocean County reports, school district reports, and Coalition environmental scans.
