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The Ramona/Julian Health Care Advisory Council (RJHCAC) was formed as a collaborative in 1992 for the purpose of supporting regional youth and their families by increasing the well-being of the youth through community and school district involvement, collaboration, education and intervention. The RJHCAC comprises law enforcement agencies, business and community leaders, the faith community, local agencies, service clubs, schools, and other interested community partners. At present, RJHCAC operates under by-laws with a four-member governing board, 66 voting members representing diverse community organizations. The RJHCAC focuses on the issues of alcohol, tobacco and other drug uses through its ATOD Prevention Project which operates in accordance with the County of San Diego's Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Framework. The goal of the project is to reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the cities of Ramona, Julian, Santa Ysabel & Warner Springs.

PROBLEMS AND CAUSES THE RJHCAC ATOD PREVENTION PROJECT SEEKS TO ADDRESS

Drug use is on the rise in the RJHCAC region. This rural area has the distinction of being part of the "Methamphetamine Capital of the World". Marijuana fields have been located around the expansive community. Pot is an "accepted" recreational drug among many adolescents. Alcohol is the most widely used drug at high school parties. Juvenile delinquency is a significant problem within the communities. While most residents believe the area offers a good climate in which to raise children, this belief holds true only for elementary age students. There is considerable concern for adolescents. Because of its geographic isolation the area is not able to offer much to its teenagers. Teens have much idle, unsupervised time and regularly complain of being bored. A scientifically based strategic plan has not been done recently in the community. During 1999-2000 the RJHCAC and the community will engage in a strategic planning process that will be used in determining how to address the needs identified in the community.

TARGET POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA SERVED

The target population to be served is the youth and their families living in the communities of Ramona, Julian, Santa Ysabel & Warner Springs. Additionally, RJHCAC recognizes that adults are significantly responsible for creating the community norms and environment in which our youth determine what are age appropriate expectations of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. For this reason many of our prevention strategies are targeted toward the adult community members and civic leaders.

MODE OF INTERVENTION AND SERVICES

Members of the RJHCAC acknowledge that there are a combination of factors contributing to the problems listed above which have an impact on the individual, family, school, and community-at-large. The mission/purpose of the RJHCAC is to identify and address the health care needs of our communities through mutual support and partnership. The services to be provided are described below and incorporate all six of the recommended federal strategies, including 1) problem identification and referral, 2) information dissemination, 3) education and training, 4) alternate activities, 5) community based process, and 6) environmental change.

LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION

The Ramona/Julian Health Care Advisory Council meets quarterly at the Sizzler restaurant located in Ramona. Call for specific dates.

Hours of operation for the RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project are:

GOALS OF THE RJHCAC ATOD PREVENTION PROJECT

Overall Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug prevention Goal:

1. To assist in achieving the County's overall goal of reducing youth substance use by 29% by 2002 as measured by Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Healthy Kids Survey, and other youth assessment data (baseline, 1997)

Collaborative Specific Goals linked to the Overall Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Goal Stated above:

1. To use strategic planning, as defined in the Quality of Life Evaluation Project Strategic Planning Kit, as a foundation on which to base all collaborative performance.

2. Increase knowledge and awareness about the prevalence and impact that alcohol tobacco and other drugs have on health, safety and academic success of our youth and the wellness of our families and community.

3. Increase youth and community investment & involvement in preventing teen alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

4. Increase the amount of anti-tobacco, anti-alcohol, anti-drug marketing promotions throughout the community.

5. Implement environmental strategies and tactics in order to engage other agencies in our prevention efforts.

OBJECTIVES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1999 TO JUNE 30, 2000 AND RELATED PERFORMANCE MEASURES

* Performance measures are in the process of being developed for each objective but yet available.

Goal 1: To use strategic planning, as defined in the Quality of Life Evaluation Project Strategic Planning Kit, as a foundation on which to base all collaborative performance.

Objective:1.1: By 3/01/2000, the RJHCAC Prevention Program will have completed a strategic plan as measured by completed document to be utilized by the ATOD collaboration.

Goal 2: Increase knowledge and awareness about the prevalence and impact that alcohol tobacco and other drugs have on health, safety and academic success of our youth and the wellness of our families and community.

Objective 2.1: By 6/30/2000, the RJHCAC participate in the development and implementation of a pilot inter-generational mentoring program in Ramona as measured by # of mentees & mentors participating in the program.

• Protective factors addressed: Caring & support and a stronger sense of self.
• Risk factors addressed: Low parent involvement and poor parent modeling.

Objective 2.2: By 6/30/2000, the RJHCAC Prevention Program will develop & distribute a community newsletter highlighting ATOD information as measured by quarterly newsletter.

• Protective factors addressed: Provides access to resources. Norms and policies support non-use among youth.
• Risk factors addressed: Norms and laws favorable to misuse, lack of clear alcohol, tobacco, & drug policies.

Objective 2.3: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC Prevention Program will distribute posters, banners, and pamphlets at community meetings & events, which will increase awareness and expose the marketing tactics of the tobacco and alcohol industries as measured by materials developed & number distributed.

• Protective factors addressed: Norms and policies support non-use among youth.
• Risk factors addressed: Norms and laws favorable to misuse, lack of clear alcohol, tobacco, and other drug policies & favorable attitude toward drug use.

Objective 2.4: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC Prevention Program will provide regular small group meetings at various school and community sites for youth to discuss ATOD related issues and to gain skills to lead healthier, more resilient, lifestyle as measured by sign-in-sheets, summary of activity & post evaluation.

Goal 3: Increase youth & community investment/involvement in preventing teen alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Objective 3.1: By 6/30/2000, the RJHCAC participate in the development and implementation of a pilot mentoring program in Ramona as measured by # of mentees & mentors participating in the program.

• Protective factors addressed: Caring & support and a stronger sense of self.
• Risk factors addressed: Low parent involvement and poor parent modeling.

Objective 3.2: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project will further develop and increase the skill level of those youth involved in our prevention programs as measured by sign-in-sheets, activity summary, & pre/post evaluation.

Objective 3.3: By 6/30/2000 the youth from the RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project will participate in a minimum of 4 county/nation/regional wide initiatives as measured by sign-in-sheets, registration forms where applicable, & activity summary.

Objective 3.4: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC Prevention Program will coordinate with a Tobacco Reduction Awareness Program where older students teach tobacco curriculum to younger students as measured by sign-in-sheets & pre/post evaluations.

Objective 3.5: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC Prevention Program will coordinate presentations at 3 local middle/elementary schools which will be facilitated by student athletes, who have pledged to be drug and alcohol free, as measured by trading cards & summary of activities.

Goal 4: Increase the amount of anti tobacco, anti-alcohol, anti-drug marketing promotions throughout the community.

Objective 4.1: By 6/30/2000, the RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project will assist in organizing a minimum of 2 media opportunities for local newspapers and television about the impact that alcohol and tobacco promotion or sponsored community events have on our youth as measured by copies of media advisories and publications, the # and type of media advocacy activities implemented.

Goal 5: Implement environmental strategies and tactics in order to engage other agencies in our prevention efforts.

Objective 5.1: By 6/30/2000 the RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project will provide server training to volunteers from nonprofit/civic organizations that received a one-day event alcohol license as measured by sign-in sheets.

• Protective factors addressed: Norms and policies support non use among youth
• Risk factors addressed: Norms and laws favorable to misuse & lack of enforcement.

PROGRAM STRATEGIES

A. Strategy 1: Develop a strategic plan

Underlying theory: Strategic planning is a set of concepts, techniques and tools that help a collaborative assess where it is, decide where it wants to go, and determine the best way to get there. A standardized strategic planning process will lead to a standardized evaluation, and is the foundation for the County of San Diego ADS Prevention Framework.

Supporting research literature:

• Telesis Corporation, 1999. Community Collaborative Strategic Planning Kit.

B. Strategy 2: Inter-generational mentoring

Underlying theory: A link has been established between ATOD use and low levels of attachment to family and caring adults. Mentoring provides these young individuals with adults who can model alcohol and drug abstinence and provide caring support decreasing the likelihood that these young individual will drop out of school or participate in criminals activity.

Supporting research literature:

• "A Review of Alternative Activities and Alternative Programs in Youth Oriented Prevention", Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Technical Report 13, 1996.

C. Strategy 3: Youth Leadership Training

To be be completed....

D. Strategy 4: Utilize agency collaboration and media coverage to increase awareness about the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in the community.

Underlying theory: To inform or educate is one of the two primary communication objectives in a media campaign. Television is viewed by over 90% of Americans and is an excellent way to get a health message out to a community. The newspaper is also widely read and is a great way to pass on more detailed information. With the increase in freeway commuters the radio has become a part of our every day routine. Utilizing one or all of these media channels will facilitate a more efficient delivery of your ATOD message.

Supporting research literature:

• Egger, G., Donovan. R.J., & Spark, R., 1993. Health and the Media; Principles and Practices for Health Promotion. Australia; McGraw-Hill Publications.

E. Strategy 5: Provide Responsible Beverage Service Training for individuals receiving a one-day alcohol license.

Underlying theory: Environmental approaches to reducing underage drinking have led to significant reductions in the sales of alcohol to minors. In addition, responsible beverage service training is an effective way to ensure that retailers and their employees are properly trained and possess adequate knowledge in order to identify minors and refuse the sale of alcohol to them.

Supporting research literature:

• Holder, H, 1997. A Community Prevention Trail to Reduce Alcohol-Involved Trauma. Addiction 92 (2).
• Treno, A.J., and Holder, HD., 1998. Environmental Approaches to Reducing Underage Drinking. Journal of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 5(2): 20-27.

FUNDING SOURCES

1. The RJHCAC ATOD Prevention Project receives funding from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Alcohol and Drug Services as part of the County's ATOD Prevention Framework. Mental Health Systems, Inc. is the fiscal agent for this County contract. Mental Health Systems, Inc. administrative offices are located at 9845 Erma Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92131-1084; phone number is 619-689-2633.