OLYMPIA–For the 31st year in a row, Washington’s substance abuse prevention community will gather to reflect on the past year’s successes and challenges, learn about evidence-based strategies, network and plan for the future.
This year’s event takes place Nov. 7-8 at the Yakima Convention Center.
The theme of the 2016 summit is “Navigate Your Future!” and is sponsored by the Department of Social and Health Services’ - DSHS Behavioral Health Administration’s - BHA Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery - DBHR. The goal behind the summit is to provide an environment where youth, educators, law enforcement, volunteers and providers can network and find out the most effective ways to prevent substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors.
“The State Prevention Summit is one of many ways we invest in strengthening our prevention workforce by expanding our knowledge of best practices and collaborating to increase our impact and reach to more communities,” said Chris Imhoff, director of DBHR. “This is key to continuing our success with strengthening families, mentoring and empowering youth to make healthy choices and be successful, and increasing healthy community norms throughout Washington.”
One of the new resources DSHS is providing at the summit for prevention professionals is a toolkit of best practices for substance use prevention and mental health promotion. DSHS-funded Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative coalitions, and other partners, will use the toolkits to plan and deliver effective strategies in their communities.
Another purpose of the summit is to honor the exemplary prevention work of individuals, coalitions and organizations throughout the state. This year, there are 10 honorees:
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Terrie Austin , Spokane Valley, WA – Prevention Professional
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Diane Swanson, Castle Rock, WA— Prevention Professional
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Steven Dorland, Squaxin Island Tribe, WA – Prevention Professional, Tribal
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Prevention Coalition, Vancouver, WA – Community Coalition
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SE Seattle Peace Coalition, Seattle, WA—Community Coalition
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Rachel Darch, Shelton, WA – Youth Leadership
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Chris Hedrickson, Monroe, WA – Community Prevention Leader, Media
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Mary Walker School District Middle School WA Drug Free Youth Group, Springdale, WA – Youth Leadership, Group
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Brian Dirks, Olympia, WA – Outstanding Contribution to Substance Use Prevention
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Kelley Matlock, Port Townsend, WA – Lifetime Award
For more information about award recipients and presenters, see Washington State Prevention Summit.