Planet youth by YAC - planet youth was developed from the icelandic prevention model - a theory-based approach with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing substance use in iceland for over 20 years

The planet youth guidance program is designed to strengthen protective factors, mitigate risk factors, and build healthy community environments for positive youth development by focusing on key domains in the local school-community: family, peer group, leisure (out-of-school) time, and school. The planet youth guidance program is a population-wide primary prevention process designed to have a long-term impact in communities on reducing youth substance use through creating a healthy built environment. Planet youth treats society as ""the patient"" and believes that building a community environment that delays the onset of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for as long as possible is an effective approach to reducing the long-term health problems related to youth substance use. Planet youth is: data driven: the planet youth data tool supports positive youth development through an annual or biennial survey. Surveying is completed by grade and the planet youth survey is appropriate for ages 12 to 18 evidence-based: planet youth was developed from the icelandic prevention model - a primary prevention effort and theory-based approach with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing substance use in iceland for over 20 years. Planet youth is now supporting hundreds of communities with this approach. Adaptable: planet youth builds community-specific and institution-level capacity for leadership and problem-solving. Planet youth trusts communities to learn, grow, and develop solutions that will work locally. This work relies on community leadership and expertise and is not a "one size fits all" approach. Our efforts serve youth and families in four rural communities in the west central mountains region through our flagship IPA/planet youth program. We believe through serving youth we will be able to have a ripple effect on the community as a whole resulting in outcomes that may apply to adults as well. Our desired outcomes are to strengthen collaboration among communities as well as reduce substance misuse among youth and provide proper prevention education through multiple strategies. We believe by continuing to implement the planet youth survey and sharing the results with the community and stakeholders we will be able to build our coalition sectors, increasing collaboration in building our five year strategic plans. We also believe that programs apart of the IPA/planet youth such as our community youth advisory board and our annual regional youth summit, we will have the opportunity to not only educate youth on what substance misuse looks like and the physical and mental consequences, but to also get their feedback on what recreational activities and preventative programs they feel will be beneficial for themselves and youth of the future. They will have the opportunity to identify problems and advocate for change they feel will be beneficial. Involving community and youth in these measures will lead to reduced substance misuse, and increase in healthy alternatives, and community connection.