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About the MV HOPE Coalition
MV HOPE (Mount Vernon: Healthy Outcomes through Prevention Efforts) Coalition is a community collaboration working to implement opioid and other drug prevention through a community-based approach. The Coalition funds direct service programs and environmental strategies that are proven to reduce substance use in youth. The Coalition serves the geographical reach of the Mount Vernon School District.
Our mission is to build an alliance that inspires hope, engages the community, and develops/implements strategies to prevent and reduce opioid and other substance use in Mount Vernon youth.
Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative (CPWI)
CPWI is a partnership of state agencies, counties, schools and local prevention coalitions supporting communities in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse and its negative consequences. CPWI priorities include reducing underage drinking, marijuana use and opioid misuse/abuse among middle and high school aged youth. By providing evidence-based practices and promoting the positive changes in communities, we can build healthier communities.
In addition to programs and strategies, CPWI funds support a 1.0 FTE time coordinator’s position, employed through the Skagit Valley Family YMCA.
Talking to Your Kids
Do you want to talk to your kids about opioids or other substance use but don’t know how? Studies show that youth do listen when the adults in their lives have these conversations, and it can have a big impact, but it can be awkward and confusing to figure out where to start. We have materials to help you strategize and take those first steps. Trainings for groups available. Please contact Bethany at [email protected] with inquiries.
Safety Starts at Home
Did you know that over 2/3 of youth who try opioids first access them at home? If you keep prescription medications in your house, you can lower the risk for youth significantly by securing your medications. MV Hope offers free lockboxes to anyone who lives or works in Mount Vernon. If you would like to pick up a lockbox, or would like to know more, please contact Bethany at [email protected].
About Our Community
Coalition Contacts
Mount Vernon is the largest city in Skagit County and boasts of fertile soil, extensive agriculture and the internationally recognized Tulip Festival held each spring. Mount Vernon is home to 38,443 residents: 3% identify as American Native, 3% Asian, 1% Black, 3% Multi-Racial, 89% White, and 34% identify as Hispanic. One-third of Mount Vernon citizens are speakers of a non-English language with over 25% speaking Spanish.
Children aged 0-17 years’ account for roughly 26% of the population, young adults aged 18-49 account for 42% of the population, with older adults accounting for the remaining 33%. In order to prevent early initiation of use, MV HOPE will primarily focus its strategies on elementary and middle-school students.
About Prevention Programs in Skagit
As a CPWI coalition, the MV HOPE Coalition’s goals are to:
- Increase community collaboration through coalition meetings.
- Reduce access to prescription drugs by increasing promotion of the Prescription Drug Take-Back and Safe Storage Programs and adopting the state-wide program Starts with One campaign
- Decrease early initiation of drug use by utilizing proven, early intervention strategies including the PAX Good Behavior Game and Positive Action curriculum, and
- Decrease favorable attitudes towards drug use among Mount Vernon youth through a Student Assistance Program Specialist at La Venture Middle School who will implement Project SUCCESS curriculum, and a Spanish and English implementation of the Strengthening Families Program 10-14.
In addition, the Coalition sponsors trainings for local members and hosts community education events including an annual Key Leader and Town Hall, where the Coalition provides information on substance use prevention and solicits feedback from Community Members.
The Coalition will evaluate each of these strategies and activities to ensure success and make course corrections. We will share our results with key community partners to build support for our efforts, recruit and develop partnerships, and attract additional funding. Program evaluation occurs through a variety of means, including community and Coalition assessments and through direct service outcome evaluations.
Coalition Coordinator
Marie Carlson ([email protected])
Student Assistance Program Specialist
La Venture Middle School, ESD 189
Robin Coe, CDP
360-428-6116 ext. 31040
[email protected]
Executive Leadership Committee
Dave Riddle
Duncan West
Isabel Zaragoza
Kari Pendray
Starleen Maharaj-Lewis
County Contact
Danica Sessions
Community Health Coordinator
Community Health Systems & Education
Phone: 360-416-1521
Email: [email protected]
