By Bill Spitzer, P & I Coordinator Parenting Resource Center

The Parenting Resource Center Inc. currently hosts two projects through the Minnesota Department of Human Services that specifically work with substance abuse prevention, one of them being my position as the Prevention and Implementation Coordinator.

The Prevention and Implementation projects main focus is to reduce the 30-day use of alcohol of people under the age of 21 in the Austin community. This grant has many components that include working with students at IJ Holton, Ellis, AHS and Pacelli schools. Specifically, we will be reviewing substance abuse prevention curriculum, surveying students on many things, such as their perceptions on alcohol use among their peers and providing student leadership opportunities through a student group.

These grant components don’t stop at the schools. This grant is also about community capacity building in reducing under 21 alcohol use. That capacity building revolves around the coalition we are currently building that I shared in an earlier article. We continue to gather professionals, parents, and community leaders to join this important mission as we build a healthy and resilient community. We are also collaborating with many community groups and organizations such as Mower Refreshed and Austin Aspires to accomplish our goal.

The second project that the Parenting Resource Center hosts in regards to prevention is through Regional Prevention, specifically, Region 6. The State of Minnesota is split into seven different regions and Region 6 includes the 11-county area of southeastern Minnesota. The PRC has had the honor of having Dan Thiner take on this position. His main focus is working with substance abuse prevention coalitions in the Region 6 area, providing technical support and resources to keep these prevention coalitions moving forward. Having a regional coordinator helps these coalitions to collaborate and share ideas more freely which in the end produces better prevention strategies for our area.

These are only two examples of prevention efforts serving you in Austin by one organization. Many other groups and organizations are providing prevention efforts to help our young people make smart and healthy choices. No matter how many people are working prevention, prevention always starts with you!

Regional Prevention Coordinator – Dan Thiner can be contacted at the Parent Resource Center at dan@familiesandcommunities.org or by calling 507-437-8330.

Bill Spitzer is the Planning and Implementation (P & I) Coordinator for the Austin community. He will be working with our schools and community as part of a five-year grant focusing on Positive Community Norms. Feel free to contact him at the Austin High School 507-460-1800 ext. 0361 or via e-mail bill.spitzer@austin.k12.mn.us. This grant is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ADAD and hosted locally by the PRC. To learn more about the Parenting Resource, visit their website at www.familiesandcommunities.org