Accomplishments
- Built a diverse community coalition with 18-member Planning Board and 4 member steering committee—representing public schools, law enforcement, business and youth service agency leaders.
- Secured a federal Drug Free Communities Support Program grant ($424,672 over 5 years; through September 2003) to launch a nationally recognized Youth Enhancement after-school ATOD prevention program at two Beaverton Middle Schools. Replication of this program has begun in 4 additional schools. The program was one of two community-based programs highlighted in a September 2000 nationally broadcast “Safer Schools: Helping Students Resist Drugs” video and at the national convention of the National Education Association.
- Started and coordinated six annual Say No To drugs; that has evolved into the We Make a Difference March and Campaign, which now involves 5,000 Washington County youth. This event is the single most visible annual ATOD prevention activity in the County and incorporates a year round public education campaign affirming the positive roles that youth are playing in the community.
- Gained a technical assistance services and resources from the Building Better Partnerships Coalition project, a 3-year demonstration project funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) (1997-1999)
- Helped launch the Beaverton PAL Police Activities League) program that provides positive recreation and academic support services–including two technology-computer rooms (IBM Learning Center and Intel Computer Clubhouse) with equipment, furnishings and corporate volunteer support supplied by Intel and IBM.
- Conducted biennial Student Surveys of 1,000 plus Grade 6,8 and 10 Beaverton youth that identified the risks they face and led to the development of new prevention strategies (1997, 1999 and 2001) The survey was developed and implemented in collaboration with RMC Research Corporation.
