NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK
- Change Collaborative
- April 13, 2020
Our local coalition, Change Collaborative of Manchester, and youth campaign, FACTS, are excited to share the work that has been done in the Town of Manchester over the past five years. In 2015, the Manchester Youth Service Bureau Division was awarded, The Partnership for Success Grant from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. In the first year the Change Collaborative of Manchester conducted a thorough review of available data both quantitative and qualitative which established that alcohol was the drug of choice among Manchester youth. Since then, marijuana has been reported as the highest substance used among the high school students.
After developing a strong relationship with Manchester High School and the Board of Education, we decided to implement a youth led social media campaign that prioritizes our focus on substances and prevention. This campaign raises awareness within the community, stemming from the youth’s perspective at the high school. The youth collectively decided on the name and slogan for our peer-to-peer campaign—Fighting Against Common Teen Substances, also known as, FACTS.
Leading up to the launch of FACTS, the youth came up with creative ideas for slogan teasers to spread throughout the Town of Manchester to create a buzz. The youth were successful at gaining attention from the Town of Manchester and were also featured on WFSB Channel 3 News.
Stay up to date with the Change Collaborative
Our coalition and FACTS campaign have continued to expand and involve in our community and youth through our prevention efforts. Here are some events we have done: Red Ribbon Week, Prom Promise, Drug Take Back Day, National Prevention Week, and Annual events like, Dangers of Underage Drinking and Distractive Driving and Community Health Fairs in partnerships with Manchester Public Schools and Community Health Resources.
Looking back on the years of accomplishments through the Change Collaborative of Manchester, there is so much to be proud of. However, these last few months have been exceptional. Although current times have us all living in unprecedented times, the strength and determination of our youth and CCM members have been ever more enduring and impactful.
In February of 2020, we had the privilege to include our FACTS youth members in the CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) and SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) conference located in National Harbor, Maryland alongside 3,250 other individuals. This experience helped our youth and members of CCM gain insight and awareness in creating a safe, healthy, and drug-free community.
Prevention Project Recap
A prevention timeline video that highlights the achievements of the Manchester Change Collaborative throughout the years. Please take a moment to review our accomplishments and see all the work that is being done in our community. Our coalition and youth campaign appreciate all the support from the Town of Manchester and its residents—all which led us here!
Although the COVID-19 pandemic changed direction for our prevention efforts and the 2020 National Prevention Week, we have quickly adjusted and have scheduled weekly virtual meetings with the youth. These meetings discuss ways to continue promoting influential content for youth and parents, helping to prevent substance use within our community. In honor of National Prevention Week, the town of Manchester with collaborative efforts with the town of Vernon will have a digital billboard located on I-84 East. This billboard will be a reminder to parents to have a “Real Talk about the FACTS” with their youth.
Just recently, we created a prevention timeline video that highlights our achievements throughout the years. Please take a moment to review our accomplishments and see all the work that is being done in our community. Our coalition and youth campaign appreciate all the support from the Town and its residents—all which led us here!
MVPP COVID Community Check-in Survey
The Manchester Vernon Prevention Partnership (MVPP) is a collaboration between the Vernon ROCKS Coalition and the Change Collaborative of Manchester that aims to expand substance abuse prevention efforts for young people in the towns of Vernon and Manchester. The MVPP is asking that you take a 5-minute survey to share your thoughts and experiences related to how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting your individual and family well-being.
Any Manchester High School students are eligible to join for more information please contact [email protected].