Enhancing prevention initiative and infrastructure consortium (epiic) - the prevention partnership coalition of sandusky county will utilize coalition building strategies to increase the regional…

Enhancing prevention initiative and infrastructure consortium (epiic) - the prevention partnership coalition of sandusky county will utilize coalition building strategies to increase the regional capacity across five county regions in rural northwest ohio. The enhancing prevention initiative and infrastructure consortium, epiic, will utilize the SPF to ensure cross-disciplinary, inter-agency understanding of the substance abuse issues in the region and leverage new and existing prevention resources to ensure a comprehensive response. This regional framework will ensure the provision of evidence-based, prevention services and supports that strengthen resiliency and prevent or impede the development of vaping nicotine and marijuana abuse related problems among youth ages 9 to 18 across the region. The catchment area for the proposed project is sandusky, seneca, ottawa, wyandot, and huron counties in rural northern ohio. The population to be served is all youth ages 9-18 who reside in the identified counties. There are 232,882 residents in the region and 49,623 youth under the age of 18 youth, will be impacted throughout the life of the project. The population within the region is relatively homogeneous, however, there are vast disparities based on geography, income, and other social characteristics. The proposed project will assess the disparities and implement universal, selective and indicated prevention strategies, that target both environmental and individual outcomes, to meet the divergent needs of the youth across the region. The primary goals of the project are prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse in youth ages 9-18 in our 5-county region and increase the prevention capacity and infrastructure at both the community level and in NW ohio. The epiic consortium will achieve the following objectives: prevent the onset and reduce the progression of vaping nicotine and marijuana use in youth ages 9-18 in our 5-county region. Increase the prevention capacity and infrastructure at both the community level and in NW ohio. Develop and implement a comprehensive regional substance abuse prevention media campaign in response to ohio's recent passing of recreational marijuana. The leadership team will identify TA and training needs and develop responsive activities; local communities will have the capacity to collect and share adolescent substance abuse data across disciplines involved in youth well-being and utilize the data for regional decision making; all 5 counties will have a prevention coalition in place with members representing the cross disciplinary partners who work with youth; increase the capacity of local communities to implement effective prevention.