Jen Karowe, Nederland.   Over thirty diverse representatives of Nederland gathered at TEENS, Inc. September 26, 2018 to review and prioritize data which will frame the community-based prevention work of the Nederland Communities that Care Coalition (NCTCC).

The NCTCC envisions empowering youth to reach their full potential through positive relationships, with the goal of promoting healthy behaviors and well-being. They endeavor to do so with support and participation from members of the community.

Key stakeholders include the Nederland town manager, Nederland school principals, parents, community members, and students. Also present was the community evaluation advisor from the Institute of Behavioral Science, CU.

The Youth Leadership Academy, a group made up of Nederland and Boulder high school students, began the meeting with a well-informed slide-show entitled “What is Vaping?” They were educated, organized, and well-spoken.

They presented statistics showing that a vape pen is equal in nicotine to about 60 cigarettes. They showed that nicotine is harmful, extremely addictive and that, as students, they expect to see other students vaping every day. One known Colorado-specific risk factor is: community laws and norms favorable toward substance abuse.

The NCTCC data work group was tasked with reviewing and prioritizing data surrounding this and other risk factors youth face in the community. The data was compiled from the 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, BVSD survey data and other local, regional and state sources presented on risk and protective factors reviewed within the data.

The Communities That Cares model defines each of these factors based on science and evidenced-base practices of intervention and change. Risk factors predict a problem behavior in adolescence and are categorized into 4 groups: Peer and Individual, Community, Family and School. Protective factors buffer against risk by either reducing the impact of risk or changing the way young person responds to it.

After hearing details and asking questions, participants broke into small discussion groups to discuss priority areas for further work.

“This is community activism at its best,” Jen Lavely, TEENS, Inc. Prevention Coordinator and NTCC Facilitator.

The next step in the process is to confirm the top 2 risk factors and 1 protective factor affecting the community. The NCTCC will then assess existing community resources available to address those issues; identify service gaps; and/or the feasibility of pursuing new strategies or intervention.

It’s not too late to participate. The next NCTCC meeting will be announced soon.

For more information, contact Jen Lavely: jen@teensinc.org.

(Originally published in the November 15, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)