The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.
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The Collaborative Belief Statement
All children are inherently good.
All children, teens and adults may make unhealthy decisions, but will be given the opportunity to make healthy choices with the advocacy and support of The Collaborative.
At heart, all parents seek to promote the best interests of their children.
When youth and adults are provided enough information and cultural support, they will make healthy decisions to avoid the onset of substance abuse.
Positive proactive substance use prevention throughout the entire community will facilitate the development of healthy independent teens.
In our communities each member, organization and system plays an integral role in conveying to youth the clear and consistent message that youth are extecpted to be substance free and rewarded for their commitment.
Our services and public resources are available to all families and individuals.
Time Line of Coalition Accomplishments:
1999: Flood Brook Community Collaborative formed as a branch of the Youth Resiliency Project Coalition in Chester, VT
Coalition members began offering research based prevention curriculum at Flood Brook Union School, started WSWSU Mentor Program, and doing coalition building in Londonderry, South Londonderry, Weston, Landgrove and Peru.
2000: The group applied for a Drug Free Community Support Program Grant
2001: Group was awarded a Drug Free Community Support grant was awarded and the Coalition hired a Coordinator
2002: Group opened an office in South Londonderry, hired staff, expanded coalition youth substance abuse strategies, and engaged more community partners. The coalition merged with the Afterschool Program at Flood Brook Union School, and became a nonprofit organization.
2003: Started Refuse to Use Program with Stratton Mountain Resort and seven area schools. Apply for New Directions Grant to implement expanded services. Continue coalition capacity building. Began a relationship with the Corporation for National and Community Service to have AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA Members serve at the site.
2004: Began a partnership with the Tobacco Control Program to offer Tobacco Cessation and prevention programs in community.
The coalition received Drug Free Coalition Mentoring Grant and began mentoring a newly formed Northshire Community Coalition in Manchester and Black River Community Coalition in Ludlow.
Moved into a shared building with Flood Brook Union School on school grounds in Londonderry.
2005: Black River Community Coalition received Federal Grant. Coalition members continue to mentor Northshire Community Coalition. Review and adjust strategic plan in accordance with Strategic Prevention Framework
2006: Executive boards of Flood Brook Community Collaborative and Northshire Community Coalition vote to merge efforts and become known as The Collaborative.
2007: The Collaborative opened a new office in Manchester and embarked on a community-wide effort to expand prevention services throughout the Londonderry and greater Northshire area. The Collaborative summer camp was offered at Magic Mountain. Coalition was awarded Strategic Prevention Framework grant from the Vermont Department of Health and a continuation grant from the Drug Free Communities Support program.
2008: Programs continue to expand in Mountain and Northshire Communities. Hosted first all-schools Refuse to Use kick-off with support from the Stratton Foundation, at least 800 people attend. Prevention strategies shift to focus more on environmental policy. Website is up and running. The Collaborative Presents: Prevention Works runs regularly on GNAT. Drug Free Communities, Strategic Prevention Framework and Tobacco Control Fund grants are awarded.
2009: Board of Directors devotes summer meetings to near and long term strategic planning, establishing and refining policies and goals. Drug Free Communities, Strategic Prevention Framework and Tobacco Control Fund grants are awarded. Media strategies are a year long focus.