FY 2004 Continuation Drug-Free Communities Support Proram

The Valdez Regional Health Authority/Valdez Counseling Center is the fiscal agent for the Valdez Youth Awareness Council (YAC) Drug-Free Program targeting Valdez's school aged youth. The coalition serves Valdez, Alaska and the remote surrounding area, with a population of approximately 4,000. The goals of the Youth Awareness Council are to: 1) prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth, and over time, adults; and 2) to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state and local government agencies. To achieve these goals the following strategies will be implemented:
1. increase overall community knowledge and awareness of substance abuse through dissemination of prevention materials and informative radio programming;
2. increase the proportion of youth K-12 who disapprove of and/or perceive great risk associated with alcohol use and illicit drug use through alternate programs, summer camps and asset development;
3. build cultural competency and increase positive youth development and resilience by incorporating identified protective factors into the program design through asset development (e.g., Helping Kids Succeed-Alaskan Style);
4. increase program services to males in kindergarten through third grade who exhibit aggressive behavior, an indicator of substance abuse in later years;
5. improve family interactions and communication skills to strengthen families;
6. increase YAC membership participation and strengthen the Valdez Youth Awareness Council's visibility in the community as a unified youth advocacy group;
7. increase accessibility of federal, state and private funding for substance abuse prevention efforts; and
8. create and adopt a comprehensive substance abuse plan.CA/NCF