Project Grant H79SP083339

THE VILLAGE VIRGIN ISLAND PARTNERS IN RECOVERY - PROJECT HORIZON - THE VILLAGE VI PARTNERS IN RECOVERY PROPOSED PROJECT WILL USE EVIDENCE-BASED METHODS, INCLUDING BOTVIN LST, TO REDUCE THE ONSET AND PROGRESSION OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND ITS RELATED PROBLEMS BY SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICES. THE CATCHMENT AREA IS ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE TARGET POPULATION IS ADOLESCENTS (AGES 13-18) AND TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH (AGES 19-24) WHO ARE AT HIGH-RISK TO SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. THE PROPOSED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: GOAL 1: STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-LEVEL PREVENTION CAPACITY ON ST. CROIX TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA USE AMONG YOUTH AGES 13-24 YEARS. OBJECTIVE 1.1: BY DECEMBER 31, 2022, COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY CURRENT SUBSTANCE USE CONCERNS, NEGATIVE COMMUNITY CONSEQUENCES RELATED TO USE, RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS, AND SUBPOPULATIONS MOST AT-RISK AND/OR UNDERSERVED. OBJECTIVE 1.2: BY MARCH 31, 2023, DEVELOP A DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REDUCE RISK AND ENHANCE PROTECTIVE FACTORS. OBJECTIVE 1.3: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, DESIGN AND POST 108 PREVENTION MESSAGES (Y1=12; Y2-5=24 ANNUALLY) ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR TWITTER RELATED TO TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND MARIJUANA USE. OBJECTIVE 1.4: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, CONDUCT 10 SAFE FESTIVAL (2 ANNUALLY) OBSERVATIONS AND 10 STICKER SHOCK CAMPAIGNS (2 ANNUALLY) TO ENSURE VENDORS COMPLY WITH TOBACCO AND UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS MEASURED BY CAMPAIGN LOGS. GOAL 2: PREVENT THE ONSET OF OR REDUCE THE PROGRESSION OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND MARIJUANA USE/MISUSE AMONG YOUTH AGED 13-24 YEARS LIVING ON ST. CROIX. OBJECTIVE 2.1: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, PROVIDE LIFE SKILLS TRAINING (LST) TO 360 YOUTH (Y1=40; Y2-5=80 ANNUALLY) EVIDENCED BY ENROLLMENT RECORDS. OBJECTIVE 2.2: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF THE YOUTH WILL COMPLETE LST SUCCESSFULLY EVIDENCED BY THE DISCHARGE STATUS IN THE CLINICAL DATA SYSTEM (CDS). OBJECTIVE 2.3: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 75% OF THE YOUTH REPORTING SUBSTANCE USE WILL RECEIVE TEEN INTERVENE EVIDENCED BY ENROLLMENT RECORDS. OBJECTIVE 2.4: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF THE YOUTH WILL COMPLETE TEEN INTERVENE SUCCESSFULLY. OBJECTIVE 2.5: 80% OF THE YOUTH COMPLETING LST AND/OR TEEN INTERVENE WILL NOT BEGIN USING TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, OR MARIJUANA, REMAIN ABSTINENT, OR REDUCE USE MEASURED BY A PROGRAM SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE AND GPRA. GOAL 3: STRENGTHEN PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND MITIGATE RISK FACTORS AMONG YOUTH AGED 13-24 YEARS LIVING ON ST. CROIX. OBJECTIVE 3.1: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF THE YOUTH COMPLETING LST WILL INCREASE THEIR DISAPPROVAL AND PERCEIVED RISK OF HARM OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND MARIJUANA USE MEASURED BY THE LST PRE/POST-TEST. OBJECTIVE 3.2: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF YOUTH COMPLETING LST WILL INCREASE ASSERTIVENESS, SELF-CONTROL, AND/OR RELAXATION SKILLS MEASURED BY THE LST PRE/POST-TEST. OBJECTIVE 3.3: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF THE YOUTH COMPLETING LST AND/OR TEEN INTERVENE WILL REMAIN IN SCHOOL MEASURED BY SCHOOL RECORDS. OBJECTIVE 3.4: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF YOUTH COMPLETING LST AND/OR TEEN INTERVENE WILL INCREASE THEIR PERCEPTION OF PARENTAL DISAPPROVAL MEASURED BY A PROGRAM SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE. OBJECTIVE 3.5: BY SEPTEMBER 2027, 80% OF YOUTH COMPLETING LST AND/OR TEEN INTERVENE WILL DECREASE THEIR PERCEPTION THAT SUBSTANCE USE IS "COOL" MEASURED BY THE LST PRE/POST-TEST.