Connecticut Coalition Success: Killingly Youth Substance Prevention Coalition
Killingly Youth Substance Prevention Coalition is a new coalition that illustrates several positive characteristics contributing to its successful launch and functioning. KYSPC received one of ten CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Prevention in CT Communities coalition grants in July 2021 which helped it grow from a Local Prevention Council to a larger coalition. Lacking recent local youth data, KYSPC used multiple key informant interviews to collect data and select vaping as its priority substance and low perceived risk of harm and parental norms as its priority risk factors. Factors contributing to it success to date include:
United Services, Inc., the fiduciary organization, and Lori Bergstorm, the director of the regional youth service bureau at USI have experience with previous prevention initiatives.
Coordinator Kelsey Hust, MSW, conducted multiple key informant interviews to collect data and initiate working relationships with community partners. Kelsey earned her tobacco cessation specialist certification to expand services for youth.
Kelsey and Julia Resner, the coalition co-coordinator hired last year, raise coalition visibility via social media and sharing prevention information on a regular basis.
Kelsey earned her certification as a tobacco cessation specialist to expand services for youth.
Killingly had high community readiness and welcomed the coalition. Kelsey’s outreach and the reputation of USI contributed to robust attendance and participation at the first meeting which continues.
Early partnerships strengthen the coalition. KYSBC met with the Northeast District Department of Health to identify mutual goals and have collaborated on vaping education initiatives. The Killingly Library, a new partner, will host the first in-person coalition meeting in May.
Kelsey and Julia continue to be proactive seeking support from Southeastern Regional Action Council on evaluation and student surveys and from the Training and Technical Assistance Service Council on application of the Strategic Prevention Framework.
Great Job Killingly!!