North country community of prevention practices, education, and stigma reduction (NC copes) - the north country health consortium, acting as the north country public health network provider agency for…

North country community of prevention practices, education, and stigma reduction (NC copes) - the north country health consortium, acting as the north country public health network provider agency for northern new hampshire, aims to establish the north country community of prevention practices, education, and stigma reduction (north country copes). This initiative is rooted in the strategic prevention framework, which is a community engagement model designed to deliver data-driven, evidence-based programs and practices to rural, underserved communities in coös and northern grafton counties, encompassing the north country public health network. Notably, this region exhibits the highest poverty rate among new hampshire's 13 regional public health networks. The project targets 2527 youth (ages 15-19). Additionally, north country copes aims to address the needs of at-risk and marginalized youth and young adults within the lgbtq+ communities of the north country. The overarching objective of this endeavor is to mitigate the onset and progression of substance misuse and its associated issues through the development and implementation of substance misuse prevention and mental wellness promotion strategies. The project's goals and objectives are as follows: goal #1: enhance the capacity north country prevention providers to recognize, delay, and mitigate substance use among rural and lgbtq+ youth. Objective 1: assemble leadership committee and NC copes members. Objective 2: deliver 300 hours of evidence-based training annually for regional prevention partners. Goal #2: decrease substance use rates among rural north country youth by implementing mental health promotion initiatives and bolstering community support systems. Objective 1: conduct five community climate projects and 15 school climate projects. Objective 2: conduct social media training for youth and prevention providers. Objective 3: host annual up conference for youth. Objective 4: recruit and train youth leadership through adventure adult advisors. Objective 5: train staff on sbirt model and confidentiality standards. Goal #3: decrease substance use rates among lgbtq+ youth in the north country by implementing evidence-based peer supports and trauma-informed practices within organizations serving youth. Objective 1: conduct prevention-focused cultural competency training. Objective 2: train five trainers to provide peer-to-peer groups.