PREVENTION – ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG PREVENTION SERVICES
Philosophy
Behavioral Health Services, Inc. (BHS) adopts the philosophy that problems associated with the use and abuse of licit or illicit drugs can be prevented through a variety of prevention strategies, which may include at least 2 or more of the following:
- Community organization and development
- Prevention skills education
- Information dissemination
- Development of alternative activities
- Strategies to influence the environment (public policy)
BHS prevention programs are based on sound scientific methods to document evidence of need and are developed with input from the local community and target populations. Specific approaches utilized in the prevention programs are based on documented and successful theoretical models, such as public health models, health and wellness models, individual risk reduction models, community prevention models and others.
Statement of Work / Program Description
Alcohol and Other Drug (“AOD”) Prevention Services – aim to 1) decrease underage drinking and binge drinking;
2) decrease illicit drug use that is marijuana, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, and/or 3) decrease misuse of legal product that is inhalants, over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs, among youth and young adults in Los Angeles County. This is achieved through culturally competent evidence-based programs/services that focus on both community and individual level efforts to reduce alcohol availability and accessibility and decrease the social norms and community conditions that contribute to AOD use within the target population(s) and/or communities. The AOD problems and contributing factors identified in the comprehensive community assessment determine the selection of prevention services/efforts for these services. Selected services/efforts change the local environment and conditions that facilitate AOD use, identify individuals who could benefit from or contribute to prevention services/efforts, and change the knowledge and behaviors of youth and adults that contribute to community norms about AOD use or actual AOD use.
Active participation by local community residents (youth and adults), leaders, non-AOD focused businesses, AOD services providers, and others are integral to understanding the local AOD related problems and community conditions, and participating in identifying and driving sustainable change for the AOD related prevention efforts. To ensure community involvement in implementing and sustaining the AOD prevention efforts, BHS actively participates in all coalition meetings in the Service Planning Area(s) (SPA) where it provides services. Furthermore, BHS maintains formal and consistent community involvement in the development and implementation of its prevention efforts, including a) encouraging community involvement on the coalition and actively disseminating that information to the target community(ies) or population(s) and b) maintaining a mechanism (e.g., community advisory board, local coalition) to obtain community feedback on the prevention services to effectively and efficiently adjust to the changing needs of that community.
Torrance/Lomita Prevention Services
15519 Crenshaw Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 679-9035
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Target Population: Adolescents 12-17
South Bay Beach Cities Prevention Services
1334 Post Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-1460
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Target Population: Adolescents 12-17
Hollywood Prevention Services
6838 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, Ca 90028
(323) 461-3161
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Target Population: Adolescents 12-17
Program Goals and Objectives
Written goals and objectives which direct the provision of program services are maintained for prevention programs. The goals and objectives are measurable and include expected outcomes by which the effectiveness of services can be evaluated. Program goals and objectives are updated in an annual Work Plan and maintained on file at the main program site and at the Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control.
Type of Indicator
Goals & Objectives
Effectiveness
Decrease underage drinking by 5% in the area identified. See annual Work Plan.
Efficiency
Efficient use of county resources as evidenced by Year End evaluation report
Satisfaction
Maximize satisfaction with services
Program Strategies
BHS Prevention Programs utilize Evidence Based Practices for Prevention, community-based process, information dissemination, and community education for implementation of prevention services.
Community Based Process
This strategy aims to enhance the ability of the community to more effectively provide prevention services for licit or illicit alcohol and other drug abuse disorders. Activities in this strategy include organizing, planning and implementation, interagency coordination, coalition building and networking (Federal Register 58:60, March 1993) designed to increase awareness and build the capacity of the community to address its needs.
Information Dissemination
This strategy provides education and knowledge of the nature and extent of alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction and the effects on individuals, families and communities… (and)… increases knowledge. (Federal Register 58:60, March 1993).
Education and Skills Building
This strategy involves two-way communication and is distinguished from the Information Dissemination Strategy by the fact that interaction between the educator/facilitator and the participants is the basis of its activities. (Federal Register, 58:60, March 1993)
Special Population Mechanisms
Staff have experience working with youth at risk for substance abuse
Materials are printed in Spanish as well as English
Staff work with translators at some locations upon request
Team Interaction - Disciplines/Procedures
All personnel meet on a regular basis to discuss upcoming prevention presentations and to plan future prevention activities. Program personnel have skills and training in prevention theory and practice, in accordance with their written job descriptions. Each prevention program works with a Prevention Community Council (PCC) and performs extensive networking activities throughout their designated areas.
Referral Procedures
As a result of education and awareness and other prevention activities, individuals may identify themselves as needing treatment services or may be identified by program personnel, family members or others as needing treatment services.
An up-to-date listing of Community Assessment Service Centers in Los Angeles County, complete with addresses and telephone numbers, and locations/phone numbers of BHS treatment and recovery centers is maintained at each prevention program site. Each program also maintains a listing of community resources that may be used to refer individuals to health or social services as needed.
Quality Improvement
Each Prevention Program collects, analyzes and utilizes information on an ongoing basis for the purpose of improving program quality. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
Individual feedback from persons served
Input from regular community advisory council meetings
Key informant interviews
Surveys
Focus groups
Documentation of activities
Patterns and trends in utilization of prevention services
Consumer satisfaction surveys
Individual participant outcomes
Staff performance evaluations
Program development opportunities
Research findings
Fiscal data
The data is utilized to modify program goals and objectives, program activities, curricula and materials, to develop individual staff training and development plans, and to develop and plan new prevention programs.
Evaluation
Each prevention program conducts process and outcome evaluation to determine whether services, objectives and outcomes outlined in the approved Work Plan have been achieved and whether modifications to the services are required based on the results. An evaluation plan and Year End Report is prepared and updated annually.
