Prevention Coalition
The prevention coalition educates, assesses, and informs students and their parents on current substance trends as well as engage the community. We facilitate outreach and help inform them about long- and short-term effects of substance use by using evidence based practices all while having a fun and supportive environment.
Why?
In 2018 the Southeast Florida Behavioral Network created a grant to stand up drug prevention coalitions across the state. Our Village Okeechobee was awarded the grant on November 2019. In partnership with SEFBHN, Our Village Okeechobee has educated and provided prevention activities to many.
What?
We offer a few different prevention events throughout the year including:
Lock Up Your Meds
A national multi-media campaign designed to reduce prescription drug abuse by making adults aware that they are the “unwitting suppliers” of prescription medications being used in unintended ways, especially by young people.
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Parents Who Host Lose The Most
A public health media campaign designed by Prevention Action Alliance, Parents Who Host Lose The Most helps you prevent underage drinking in your community. It reinforces everyone’s responsibility to promote healthy choices in our community. Its key message reminds parents that it is unsafe, unhealthy, and unacceptable—and, in many communities, illegal—to provide alcohol for underage youth. It decreases young people’s access to alcohol by reducing the number of parents willing to provide alcohol for young people. Over time, it reduces the likelihood teens will drink alcohol and suffer the health effects that come from underage drinking.
Natural High
​This program is designed to inspire 4th-12th grade students to discover, amplify, and pursue their "natural high"—passions, interests, and activities that provide joy and fulfillment—thereby reducing the likelihood of drug and alcohol abuse. We do this by providing an outlet for students to gather after school hours and participate in game days, arts and crafts, etc.
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Friday Night Done Right
​Friday Night Done Right (FNDR) is a youth-focused campaign, designed to provide middle and high school students with engaging, substance-free, and healthy, safe alternatives for their Friday nights. The initiative aims to normalize non-substance-using, fun social activities while challenging the perception that alcohol and drug use are necessary for a good time among peers.
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Hidden In Plain Sight
​"Hidden in Plain Sight" is an interactive, educational, and often mobile exhibit designed for parents, guardians, and community members to raise awareness about signs of underage drinking, drug use, and other risky behaviors in teenagers. The program typically features a mock teenage bedroom, created by our program manager, that contains between 30 to 80 common household items that may indicate a young person is involved in, or hiding, dangerous activities.
Where?
We offer our programming in local schools, other non-profits, community events, and more. To schedule your prevention program please contact our main office line at 863-447-0473.
Who?
The prevention coalition educates children from 12-21 in addition to their parents and loved ones. We collaborate with our school system to identify students who may be most at risk of drug abuse and coordinate our outreach according to the need identified.