SD County-Wide

North Coastal

North Inland

North Central

Central

South

East

Mexico

North Inland Community Prevention Program (NICPP)

Contact Information:

Dana Stevens

13230 Evening Creek Drive South, Suite 208
San Diego, CA 92128
Phone: (858) 385-0701
Email: NICPP@mhsinc.com

COLLABORATIVE DESCRIPTION

The North Inland Community Prevention Program (NICPP) was formed as the "Wellness Task Force" in 1990 by the Poway Unified School District (PUSD). Its purpose was to facilitate local planning involving the school district and the communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, and Sabre Springs. The goal of the group was to plan and implement multiple strategies that reduced specific risk factors contributing to tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, and related behavioral problems; and strengthen a set of protective factors to ensure young people's health and well-being. In 1995, the Wellness Task Force was combined with the Gang Task Force (another PUSD Committee) since both groups were addressing many of the same issues. The group changed its name to the Safety/Wellness Advisory Committee. Under this new format the community and schools began to work together in addressing the overarching issues of safety and wellness. By 1998 the committee had grown to include more community-based organizations and changed its name to reflect its broader prevention focus.

The mission of the Safety Wellness Advocacy Coalition is to support a healthy community by increasing the community and school safety and well-being of our youth, their families, and other community members through community involvement,collaboration, education, prevention, and intervention.

The NICPP Coalition is comprised of representatives from law enforcement agencies, business and community leaders, the faith community, local agencies, service clubs, schools, and other interested community partners.

The NICPP Prevention Program is a project of NICPP. The goal of the project is to reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in the cities of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs, Carmel Mountain Ranch and the unincorporated areas of the County of San Diego which fall within the Poway Unified School District.

PROBLEMS AND CAUSES THE NICPP PREVENTION PROGRAM SEEKS TO ADDRESS

The region served is an affluent community comprised of mostly two-income households. Because both parents are working potential risk factors become apparent. Adult presence and supervision during the critical hours after school are lacking. The time parents can devote to school and other community meetings is limited because of their work schedule. One goal of the NICPP Prevention Program is to increase parent involvement with their youth by providing information and support. Mentoring is another way in which the NICPP Program will address the risk factor of low parent involvement. The importance of youth involvement is also crucial. Providing drug free activities for youth during those critical hours and involving the youth in the development of those activities increases the individual protective factors for the youth. Palomar Pomerado Hospital continues to offer drug screening for youth ages 11 ­ 18. The results of these screenings have identified an increase in drug use among the youth living in the target area. Youth focus groups conducted in 1998 produced findings similar to those seen at the hospital. The youth also mentioned the ease at which they could obtain alcohol in their community. Stealing was a popular means by which to obtain alcohol; parents and friends were also identified as potential sources. In an effort to address the problem of youth access to alcohol the NICPP program will work closely with the Poway sheriff's station and local retailers. Strategies, like Responsible Hospitality Training, will be implemented to decrease the occurrence of sales to minors. The parent focus groups conducted in 1998 revealed the exact opposite. Parents were clearly in denial of the prevalence and impact that alcohol tobacco and drug use was having on their youth and their community. This identified a need for increased awareness on the impact that youth substance use has on the community. Each of these problems were identified through surveys, focus groups, & secondary data collected from the hospital. A scientifically based comprehensive needs assessment as not been done in the community. During 1999-2000, the NICPP program 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.

Based upon the information provided above, the goals to be addressed by the project are: 1) To develop a strategic plan to use as a foundation on which to base all future collaborative performance. 2) Increase knowledge and awareness about the prevalence and impact that alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs have on the health, safety, and academic success of our youth and the wellness of our families and community. 3) Increase youth investment/involvement in preventing teen alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. 4) Increase availability of information, skill building, and support for parents, on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. 5) Increase the amount of anti tobacco, anti-alcohol, anti-drug marketing promotions throughout the community 6) Implement environmental strategies and tactics in order to engage law enforcement and other agencies in our prevention efforts.

TARGET POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA SERVED

The target population to be served is the youth and their families living in the six communities serviced by the Poway Unified School District. These communities include Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs, Carmel Mountain Ranch and the unincorporated areas of the County of San Diego. Additionally, NICPP 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 Safety/Wellness Advocacy Committee 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 Safety Wellness Advocacy Coalition is to support a safe drug free environment that promotes the well being of the youth, their families, and the community. The services to be provided are described in item #4 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 Safety Wellness Advocacy Coalition meets the last Wednesday of every month from 12:00-1:30 at Creekside Plaza.

Hours of operation for the NICPP Prevention Program are as follows:

NICPP Vision Statement

We envision a community of the future that honors, encourages, and respects family unity and cultural diversity where residents feel safe, have a sense of well-being, and have equal access to educational opportunities and health services.

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG GOALS OF THE NICPP PREVENTION PROGRAM

Overall Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug prevention Goal:

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).

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

1. To develop a strategic plan, as defined in the Quality of Life Evaluation Project Strategic Planning Kit.
2. Increase community understanding of the long-term negative impacts associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among local youth.
3. Increase youth leadership and participation in alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention initiatives.
4. Seek and support new and existing policies to increase community health and safety.

OBJECTIVES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED DURING 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 not yet available.

Goal 1: To develop a Strategic Plan, as defined in the Quality of Life Evaluation Project Strategic Planning Kit.

Objective:1.1 By 3/01/2000, the NICPP Prevention Program will have developed a strategic plan through the process outlined in the Quality of Life Evaluation Project Strategic Planning Kit. Performance Measure: Completed Strategic Plan

Goal 2: Increase community understanding of the long-term negative impacts associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among local youth.

Objective 2.1: By 6/30/2000, the NICPP Prevention Program will support the existing mentor program of Poway Unified School District by providing funds necessary to recruit and train additional mentors in order to increase the number of students who can participate in the program.

Performance Measures:

• # of youths mentored during the 1999-2000 school year.

Objective 2.2: By 6/30/2000, the NICPP Prevention Program will develop and distribute a quarterly newsletter highlighting ATOD information.

Performance Measures:

• Quarterly newsletter
• Distribution list

Objective 2.3: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will provide regular small group meetings at designated PUSD middle and elementary school during critical hours, for youth to discuss ATOD related issues and to gain skills to lead healthier, more resilient, lifestyles.

Performance Measures:

• Sign-in sheets
• Meeting outline/agenda
• Pre/post survey

Goal 3: Increase youth leadership and participation in alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention.

Objective 3.1: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will further develop and increase the skill level of those youth involved in the advisory board by collaborating with IHA and other resources to provide media advocacy and prevention leadership training seminars.

Performance Measures:

• Sign-in-sheets
• Workshop agendas and materials

Objective 3.2: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Student Advisory Board and youth from the Poway Unified School District will participate in a minimum of four (4) county/nation- wide prevention initiatives, such as the Outdoor Advertising Ordinance.

Performance Measures:

• Media advisories/releases
• News clippings

Objective 3.3: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will facilitate presentations by Student Advisory Board members and other PUSD youth at PUSD middle and high schools to educate other youth on the negative impacts of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Performance Measures:

• Sign-in-sheets
• Presentation objectives/agenda

Objective 3.4: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will coordinate with YMCA and Boy & Girls Clubs to conduct a Tobacco Reduction Awareness Program where older students teach tobacco curriculum to younger students.

Performance Measures: Sign-in-sheets Curriculum outline Pre/post test Objective 3.5: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will coordinate presentations at four (4) local middle/elementary schools which will be facilitated by student athletes, who have pledged to be drug and alcohol free.

Performance Measures:

• Trading cards
• Sign-in-sheets

Goal 4: Seek and support new and existing policies to increase community health and safety.

Objective 4.1: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will support Poway City Ordinance by providing server training to volunteers from nonprofit/civic organizations that have received a one-day event alcohol license.

Performance Measures:

• Sign-in-sheets
• Training materials
• Licensee contact information

Objective 4.2: By 6/30/2000 the NICPP Prevention Program will coordinate a Parent Pledge program within the schools. The program will include a media advocacy component (prior to spring break) of parents holding one another accountable to chaperone social gatherings of youth at their homes to keep those events alcohol and drug-free and calling for enforcement of laws prohibiting adults from providing alcohol to minors.

Performance Measures:

• Parent directory (over 1,700 parent commitments)
• News advisory/release(s)

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: 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 individuals will drop out of school or participate in criminal 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

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 licensee.

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. NICPP 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' administrative offices are located at 9845 Erma Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92131-1084; phone number (619) 689-2633.