Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative - local community coalitions

The greater Othello community, population 5,847, lies in the heart of the Columbia Basin in eastern Washington state. The coalition People Against Illegal Drugs (PAID) was established in 1985 with a focus on the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use through the promotion of positive choices for youth. Their mission is: "To organize a coalition of parents, students, educators, and other concerned community organizations and individuals, for the purpose of developing an awareness of the drug problem in Othello, and create a drug and alcohol free environment for our youth."

Clarkston, WA, population 7,229, lies at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in southeast Washington. The Asotin County Human Services Board has deep roots in community service and has chosen to evolve into the PRI-based community coalition. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

• EPIC Clarkston's Facebook Page

Prosser, the county seat, is located at the far western corner of Benton County just 50 miles from Yakima and 35 miles from the Tri-Cities. The local economy centers around agriculture; concord and wine grapes, apples, cherries, hops, asparagus, corn, wheat, and related processing plants. The Mission of the CIA is to build and sustain a healthy community through substance abuse prevention and education, is working on building our sector representation, and is getting creative to make a plan that best suits the community for reducing underage drinking and marijuana use.

• Prosser's Coalition Website

The community of Wenatchee, population 29,320, is a rapidly growing, multicultural community located in north-central Washington. Its coalition, TOGETHER! has been active since 1990, becoming a SPF-SIG community in 2004 and a PRI Cohort 1 community in 2011. Their mission is: "To prevent youth substance abuse by encouraging and supporting responsible student choices, a safe school environment, family involvement and community commitment."

• Wenatchee's Coalition Website
• Wenatchee's Coalition Facebook Page

Forks, WA, with a population of 3,532, is a small, rural community in northwest Washington. It is known as the "Logging Capital of the World." Their coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

• Port Angeles's Coalition Website

Washougal, WA, population 13,807, is located at the west entrance of the Columbia River Gorge and known as "The Gateway to the Gorge." The Washougal Community Coalition was established in 2012 as part of the Washington State Prevention Redesign Initiative (PRI). The coalition focuses on reducing youth substance abuse through a partnership with the Washougal School District and its community partners.

• Washougal's Coalition Website
• Washougal's Facebook Page

The Columbia River makes Vancouver a great place to work, live and play. The river provides fantastic recreation opportunities and helps nurture wildlife, evergreen forests, agriculture, neighborhoods and businesses. West Van for Youth is a community coalition that is working together to reduce underage drinking and marijuana use. The coalition builds community to promote healthy choices and reduce substance abuse among youth so the area’s young people can grow into thriving and productive adults.

• Vancouver's Coalition Website
• Vancouver's Coalition Facebook Page

Located in the southeast corner of the state, Dayton, WA, population 2,526, prides itself in the rich history within its community. .

• Dayton's Coalition Website

Castle Rock, WA, population 12,150, is a small, rural community nestled in the heart of western Washington's timber country. The Castle Rock CARE Coalition serves the communities within the boundaries of its school district, including: Castle Rock, Vader, and Ryderwood. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs. The group's current focus is on mobilizing the community and the community's human resources in fostering positive values and healthy lifestyles in order to influence and empower their youth and adults to live drug free, to make responsible choices, and to become productive citizens.

The Waterville Drug-Free Community Coalition is a coalition currently comprised of 30 members representing most every sector of the community. The coalition was created in July 2013 through the Prevention Redesign Initiative as a result of data provided by the Healthy Youth Survey conducted in the Waterville School in 2012. The Coalition serves the community within the Waterville School District boundary in Douglas County, State of Washington. The Waterville School is a K-12 school which currently accommodates approximately 280 students.

• Republic's Facebook Page

Pasco has experienced rapid residential growth in the 21st century. Boasting good schools, health care facilities, faith communities, numerous retail/professional opportunities, recreational areas, and predominantly good weather, Pasco is a place where people put down roots and raise families in a safe, forward-thinking, active environment. The Pasco Discovery Coalition is a group of community members who work together to collaboratively create and sustain a healthy, safe, alcohol and drug free community through transformation of attitudes and norms.

• Pasco's Coalition Website

With a rich heritage and vibrant future, the town of Pomeroy located in Garfield County, offers a wealth of history, year-round access to recreation areas including the Snake River and Blue Mountains, and the warmth and charm of old-fashioned hospitality. The mission of the Pomeroy Partners for Healthy Families (formally, PACE) Coalition is to positively impact our youth, reduce substance use, and increase awareness through community collaboration. Our goals include reducing underage drinking, increase the perception of harm regarding underage drinking, implement strategies the focus on substance use issues, and to foster collaboration regarding substance abuse prevention.

• Pomeroy's Coalition Website
• Pomeroy's Coalition Facebook Page

Located on the shoreline of its namesake, Moses Lake, WA, is a diverse community of approximately 20,000 residents. Their coalition will work closely with the Moses Lake School District and the Moses Lake Police Department to specifically target underage drinking issues. The coalition and will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

Elevate East County is a group of parents, providers, students, teachers, and community members (representing almost all sectors) who are focused on increasing protective factors and decreasing risk factors in Elma. Our mission is to empower our community with the knowledge and resources needed to build a brighter tomorrow for our youth. The Elma School District boundaries include the small communities of Elma and McCleary and is located in East Grays Harbor County, Washington. The primary industries in Grays Harbor County are timber, seafood harvest and production, and tourism.

Hoquiam is located on the west coast of Washington just a few miles from the Pacific beaches. Visitors to our city are always made to feel welcome as they enjoy the history, activities, and nature our friendly little community has to offer. In 2013, Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department received multi-year funding from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery to help the community of Hoquiam develop a plan to reduce underage alcohol use and its resulting consequences.

Oak Harbor, WA, population 22,075, is known as "Whidbey Island's Premiere Waterfront Community." Their existing coalition, the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, was formed in 2011 by a group of concerned citizens. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs. Their current mission is: "To improve quality of life, services and support for youth through research, advocacy, and active collaboration with decisions makers, agencies, and families in the Oak Harbor community."

• Oak Harbor's Coalition Website
• Oak Harbor's Coalition Facebook Page

Southeast Seattle encompasses diverse neighborhoods, including Columbia City, Genesee, Hillman City, Mount Baker, Seward Park, Lakewood, Rainier Beach and Othello. The specific focus of the Southeast Seattle Drug Free Youth Coalition would be directed toward Aki Kurose Middle School and the surrounding neighborhood. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

• PEACE Coalition Website
• PEACE Coalition Public Awareness Website
• PEACE Coalition Facebook Page

Vashon Island, population 10,624, is a rural community located in southern Puget Sound in Western Washington, southwest of Seattle and north of Tacoma. The Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) was established in 2009 but can trace its beginnings as substance abuse prevention coalition back to 1994. Their mission is: "To respond to issues affecting the community, such as substance abuse, and work with community members in establishing an environment that creates a better quality of life."

• Vashon Island's Coalition Website

North Highline is an unincorporated urban area bordered by Seattle, Burien, SeaTac and Tukwila. It includes the White Center and Boulevard Park communities, as well as several other smaller neighborhoods.  

Bremerton, WA, is located on the Kitsap Peninsula on the Puget Sound. With a population of 39,051, it is the largest city in Kitsap County. The Bremerton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, though only established in 2012, has roots in local prevention efforts spanning 20 years. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

Kitsap County is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State across the Puget Sound from Seattle. Kitsap County ranks 36th in size among Washington counties. Kitsap County is partnering with Olympic Educational Service District #114 and the North Kitsap School District to build a community-based coalition aimed at reducing substance abuse among youth and adults. The North Kitsap Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will be coordinated by Kitsap County staff and supported with federal substance abuse prevention funds.

The communities of Cle Elum and Roslyn are located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington. Though Cle Elum's population stands at 1,872 and Roslyn's at 893, the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District's boundaries include 7,379 residents. Founded in 2004, the community's existing coalition, the Upper Kittitas County Youth Resource Team, is currently developing their strategic plan and will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs. Their current mission is: "To seek opportunities and resources to educate the whole child and do whatever it takes to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and characteristics for successful living. We believe we can accomplish more when we look at the collective impact we can make as a community on the life of our children, not just a school district."

• Cle Elum/Roslyn's Coalition Website
• Cle Elum/Roslyn's Coalition Facebook Page

Klickitat and Lyle have long been home to thriving indigenous communities. These and other towns near the Columbia River were historically places of commerce and trade, especially during seasonal Salmon runs. The Klickitat-Lyle Against Substance Abuse Coalition (KLASAC) formed in October of 2013 by combining the small towns of Klickitat and Lyle in their efforts to prevent substance abuse. The coalition’s strategic plan is based on data that includes our Healthy Youth Survey and a 2013 Community Survey.

• Klickitat-Lyle's Coalition Facebook Page

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Morton offers a rural lifestyle in a relaxed setting. The city is noted for its scenic setting, mild climate, year-round recreation opportunities and close proximity to Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. The Morton UP! Coalition  is a grassroots volunteer organization established in 2013 to prevent and reduce underage drinking and other youth substance abuse in Morton. Our mission is to create a community invested in providing positive role models, diverse educational opportunities, and pro-social activities that prevent youth substance use, promote confidence, self-esteem, integrity, and respect in youth, resulting in healthy adults. We plan to achieve those results by addressing risk factors associated with poor school performance and youth delinquency.

• Lewis County's Website

Reardan is a town in Lincoln County. The town is home to the elementary/middle/high school serving the Reardan-Edwall School District, covering over 360 square miles (930 km2) in Lincoln and Spokane counties. The Reardan Coalition (RECAP) aims to reduce social access of alcohol to youth, reduce community laws and norms favorable to use, increase family management skills, increase community connectedness, and decrease the risk associated with favorable attitudes towards the problem behavior. Founded in July 2012, RECAP completed a comprehensive strategic plan in 2013 that will serve as a guide for coalition efforts. Coalition members are truly invested grassroots community members that are coming together to make a difference.

• Reardan's Coalition Facebook Page

Located in the heart of Okanogan County, Omak is a small, rural, agricultural community in north central Washington with a population of roughly 5,000. The Okanogan County Community Coalition has a volunteer base of over 50 community members who work to prevent substance abuse and violence in our community. Their mission is: "To effectively address the problems of youth substance abuse and violence in our community by promoting: collaboration, cooperation, communication, commitment, and cultural competency."

• Omak's Coalition Website
• Omak's Coalition Facebook Page

The Long Beach Peninsula, combined population 9,719, lies along the Pacific coast of southwest Washington and includes the Ocean Beach School District. Formed in 2005, the WellSpring Community Network is a grass roots organization dedicated to promoting physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellness in South Pacific County. Their mission is: "To support community wellness in South Pacific County through active collaborations."

• Long Beach's Coalition Website
• Long Beach's Coalition Facebook Page

Lakewood is the second largest city in Pierce County and the seventeenth largest in the state of Washington. It is strategically located between Sea-Tac International Airport and Olympia, the state’s capital. The Choosing Healthy Options and Igniting Community Engagement (CHOICE) coalition started from the ground up and brought several agencies together to focus directly on youth substance use for the first time. CHOICE aims to reduce youth substance use by increasing awareness, reducing access, and building pathways to healthy options for youth and families.

The Franklin Pierce community lies entirely within unincorporated Pierce County covering approximately 30 square miles. It is known by residents to encompass the Parkland, Summit, and Midland communities. Founded in 2001, Franklin Pierce YOUTH FIRST! (FPYF) partners with the Franklin Pierce School District to achieve positive results within its vast, multicultural community. Their mission is: "To mobilize community members and resources to support families and provide an environment in which youth grow up physically and emotionally healthy, safe, and alcohol & drug free."

• Franklin Pierce YOUTH FIRST! Website

The community of San Juan Island is the most populated island in an archipelago of remote and rural islands off the northwest Pacific Coast. The many coves and beaches of the island have a history of serving as a transfer point in smuggling wool and opium from Canada in the nineteenth century, then liquor and drugs in the twentieth century. Within this environment, youth are being raised with conflicting messages regarding healthy choices and behaviors, and community norms that support substance abuse behaviors. The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition started in 2004; our mission is to reduce substance abuse in youth and to create community culture supporting healthy choices and responsible behaviors in youth and adults.

• San Juan Island's Coalition Website

Concrete was formerly a bustling working-class community that once relied on a bountiful economic base derived from logging, fishing and agriculture.  The Concrete Resource Coalition is working to meet the needs of youth, families, and individuals through collaboration, networking, and building community relationships by impacting the long-term consequence of school performance, youth delinquency, and mental health.  We are implementing substance abuse prevention in the community of Concrete aimed at reducing the behavioral health problems of underage drinking and underage marijuana.  We also implement media campaigns and environmental strategies to decrease parental attitudes tolerant of substance abuse; reduce availability of alcohol to youth; and address community norms favorable to substance use.

• Mount Vernon's Coalition Website

• Sedro-Woolley's Coalition Website

Healthy Youth CAN strives to increase community strengths through prevention and intervention strategies that support youth in making healthy life choices. Central Seattle's initiative is facilitated by a network of community stakeholders, youth and partnering youth-serving organizations.

• Healthy Youth Can Website
• Healthy Youth Can Facebook Page
• Healthy Youth Can One Pager

Stevenson-Carson School District is located in the Columbia Gorge about 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington. The community has been active in supporting school-based and community-based prevention efforts for more than 15 years. The vision of the One Prevention Alliance is: "We are Skamania - one for all and all for one." Our common voice is our collective power. To be a healthy community, we must ALL participate in the solution." The coalition will address prevention needs through targeted efforts and evidence-based programs.

• Stevenson's Coalition Website
• Stevenson's Coalition Facebook Page

With a population of approximately 1,400, Darrington, WA is a small, close-knit rural timber town with a country atmosphere and a beautiful, scenic natural environment. Founded in 2011, the Darrington Prevention Intervention Community Coalition views their human capital as their greatest asset, describing their neighbors as resilient, generous and dynamic people who want to be involved. Their mission is: “To serve Darrington by overcoming substance abuse with courage and compassion.”

Marysville Together Coalition (MTC) is a community partnership of caring, involved members committed and empowered to promote safety, diversity, and awareness.  We respond to the needs of our community so that everyone who lives in Marysville will take responsibility for working together towards a safe and healthy community.  MTC delivers comprehensive strategies to students in Marysville Middle School (MMS), Liberty Elementary School (LES), and catchment areas.  Among those, approximately, 850 students attend the MMS, 475 attend LES and 1,300 students attend Sunnyside, Shoultes and Marshall Elementary Schools located in the catchment areas.  MTC will broaden prevention efforts to each of these elementary schools, starting with LES, which has an overwhelming need for family support and services since 82% of their students are in the Free and Reduced Lunch program.

• Marysville's Coalition Website

Best known as home of the bustling Evergreen State Fairgrounds and Evergreen Speedway, the City of Monroe remains the fastest growing area in the lush Skykomish River Valley. The Monroe Community Coalition is committed to preventing underage drinking and other drug use, and increasing wellness in our community. Our goal is to make decisions that direct our resources wisely – according to the facts, not just gut feelings. We are committed to prevention and wellness! Alcohol and other drug abuse can erode the health and safety of communities. This is why effective prevention services are vital for Monroe. We strive to prevent early use of alcohol and other drugs, and to prevent the far reaching and high costs of substance abuse and addiction.

• Monroe's Coalition Website

Spokane, WA, population 208,916, is the second largest city in the state of Washington. Since 1995, the West Central Community Coalition has served the residents of Spokane with representation from all sectors within the community. The purpose of the coalition is to facilitate communication of services and community needs so that educational, health, social and community services can be better planned and coordinated to meet neighborhood needs. The coalition will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

Spokane East Valley Community is a mostly rural community that is contained within the East Valley School District catchment area. It is bordered to the east by the Washington-Idaho border, to the south by the Spokane River, to the west at the West Valley School District border, and to the north and northeast by the Mead School District border. The East Valley Community Coalition empowers our community through education and substance abuse prevention to promote safe and healthy individuals in all families and neighborhoods. The Coalition has selected a comprehensive array of strategies including the Coalition itself, parent education, youth education, positive norms marketing and working cooperatively with retailers.

• East Valley Community Coalition's Facebook Page

Tenino, WA, population 1,535, describes itself as "The Heart of South Thurston County." The Tenino/Bucoda Community Coalition collaborates with other local organizations, including Thurston TOGETHER!, to work towards the goal of reducing violence and substance abuse while improving academic performance. Their mission is: "Helping young people succeed by addressing health, safety and substance abuse issues."

• Tenino/Bucoda Community Coalition Facebook Page

Wahkiakum (wuh-KI-uh-kuhm) is the 37th largest county in Washington and was created by the territorial legislature in 1854. The name comes from a Kathlamet Indian village located on the north bank of the Columbia River near the present town of Cathlamet. The purpose of Wahkiakum Community Network is to improve the lives of our youth and families. The Network focuses on building community mobilization and reducing substance abuse. The vision of the Wahkiakum Community Network is to facilitate an effective reduction of challenges that present barriers to a safe and healthy community for our youth and families

Walla Walla has long been known as one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, producing such crops as wheat, asparagus, strawberries and the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onions. 

Bellingham is the seat of Whatcom County and currently possesses a population of approximately 90,000 residents. 

Ferndale, population nearly 13,000, is located north of Bellingham and just 20 minutes from the Canadian border. 

• Mt. Baker's Coalition Website

Tekoa, WA, population approximately 800, is a charming rural community that prides itself in the role it has played in the development and support of neighboring communities in eastern Washington over the past century. Since the beginning of the PRI process, they have pulled together all sectors within this small community, demonstrating the high level of community commitment from its citizens. The coalition and will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs.

• Tekoa's Coalition Website
• Tekoa's Coalition Facebook Page

Sunnyside, WA, population 15,858, lies in the scenic plains of eastern Washington. The community's coalition, Sunnyside's Promise, has committed itself to PRI initiatives, especially youth substance abuse. The coalition is currently developing their strategic plan and will address identified local substance abuse prevention needs through targeted coalition efforts and evidence-based programs. Their current focus is: "To mobilize the community to deliver the 5 Promises of America's Promise to our children so they will grow up to be caring & competent adults."

• Sunnyside's Coalition Website
• Sunnyside's Facebook Page

White Swan is a small unincorporated community on the Yakama Indian Reservation in south central Washington with approximately 4,500 people that live in the Mt. Adams School District. The mission of the White Swan Arts & Recreation Community Coalition is: "We will live out the vision by honoring the voices of the community and by being advocates for communication and education. Our actions will consistently promote positive change for all creation; by establishing community collaboration to prevent and reduce substance abuse, by addressing the factors in the community that increase risk of substance abuse and by promoting factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse."

• White Swan's Coalition Website