August 20, 2020 – 9:00am – 11:00am Meeting via Microsoft Teams

VOSAP Collaborative Member Agency representatives in attendance: Nour Alamiri, Community Coalitions of Virginia (CCOVA) Gail Taylor, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Greg Hopkins, Department of Criminal Justice Services (DJCS) Betsy Bell, DCJS Liz Payne, Department of Education (DOE) Jean Hoyt, Department of Health (VDH) Art Mayer, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Steve Williams, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Stephen Wade, Department of Social Services (DSS) Abby Pendleton, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) Molly Jackson, Virginia State Police (VSP) Henry Harper, Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) Doug Perry, Virginia National Guard Counter Drug Taskforce (VANG) Also in attendance: Shakira Williams, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health and Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition Octavia Marsh, Hanover Cares Craig Lewis, VANG Deon Matthews, VANG Welcome and Introductions The meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. Meeting attendees introduced themselves. Presentation – Shakira Williams, MPH, Prevention and Wellness Specialist Blue Ridge Behavioral Health and Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) Director The presentation started with an activity polling members’ current thoughts and feelings using an online engagement tool. This was used to simulate ways to virtually engage in online meetings and presentations. Once social distancing guidelines were put into place, RAYSAC was forced to postpone, cancel and rethink many of their youth initiatives. RAYSAC’s Elevate Your Vibe festival scheduled for May 2020 was postponed and eventually cancelled; however, they were able to create a Social Distancing Challenge in its place to engage teens but in a virtual manner. The goal of the Social Distancing Challenge was to engage teens (within social distancing guidelines) and keep them active and away from substance use. The challenge was set up on a points system and incentivized with Amanda gift cards. Participants had to be enrolled in high school in the Roanoke Valley but also included homeschool students and rising ninth graders. There were 40 challenges worth various point values; whoever accumulated the most points won a gift card. Challenges included activities such as: send in a photo being active, answer the prompt, “what

keeps you drug free,” tasks to identify youth substance use prevention resources and identifying social media influencers who are substance free. To market the challenge, the coalition did a press release, multiple interviews and spread information through social media and word of mouth. After the success of the first challenge, RAYSAC hosted a second challenge in July with different tasks and encouraged outside activities. The coalition has been able to share templates for their efforts with other coalitions both in Virginia and outside the state. Due to COVID-19, RAYSAC has had to adapt much of their programming. The keys to knowing how to adapt are: knowing your audience, asking your audience and knowing what has worked in the past. RAYSAC used an example of a Generation Z celebrity, Juice World, who overdosed in 2019 as a call to action. Using a familiar story, RAYSAC was able to gain the attention of their target audience to complete surveys and to engage them in conversations surrounding substance use prevention. Knowing your audience is important because you need to know where to reach them, communicate with them and what they will engage with. For marketing efforts, RAYSAC works with an external company because they know what is best and how to reach target audiences more effectively. Throughout COVID-19, RAYSAC has worked to provide engagement opportunities virtually. Resources such as menti.com and virtual ice breakers can engage individuals more than having a video meeting. Acknowledging “Zoom Fatigue” and not requiring videos during meetings can lead to more comfortability in virtual environments. As a community resource, it has been important for RAYSAC to continue to offer information, materials and programming to the community. A webpage, COVID-19 Response, was created designated specifically for local, state and national information and resources related to COVID-19. Resources were broken down into the following categories: Parent Resources, Recovery Resources and For Teens Only. Additionally, RAYSAC focused on providing two additional opportunities for youth: Camp-In-A-Box and Youth Leadership Summit. The Camp-In-A-Box included four weeks’ worth of activities that youth might engage in during summer camp. Two-hundred boxes were distributed and funded through a grant by DBHDS. The Youth Leadership Summit spanned two days and addressed substance use prevention topics and youth leadership development. There were 12 campers that met in a socially-distanced setting. The following tips were shared to be innovative with prevention strategies:

Trends – It’s important to stay current with ongoing events; setting up Google Alerts is a way to stay current on specific topics that you can pinpoint.

Engagement – Incorporating ice breakers and other techniques, such as Zoom breakout rooms, can keep participants engaged and interested. Use different technologies such as Trello and Google Suite to manage projects and keep teams on track.

Research – Stay up to date on research and to be sure that initiatives are evidence-based. Google Scholar can be used to research articles.

Diversity and Inclusion – When planning and promoting efforts it’s important to be aware of all audiences. Be mindful of technological barriers and how participants who may not have technology can be reached.

Consistency and Follow Through – Do the things you say you will do when you say you will do them. Even if you do not think attendees will show up, be there ready.

Take Risks – Come up with ideas that are different and be creative with what you are doing. The presentation is attached to the end of the meeting summary.

Governor Northam’s Opioid and Addiction Initiatives/General Assembly Update, Gail Taylor The prevention workforce continues to be nimble in approaches more specifically as it relates to opioid use prevention and engaging the community. The stakeholder group met on August 19 and requested recommendations moving forward with opioid and addiction initiatives. During the meeting it was shared that a continued investment in prevention is needed and to build the infrastructure for coalitions in order to prevent future individuals from having a substance use disorder (SUD). CCOVA News and Updates Collaborating with Roanoke Prevention Alliance, CCOVA, created one pager informational documents on marijuana education. With marijuana legalization as a continued topic, coalitions have been encouraged to continue educating local communities and sharing the one pagers with local legislators to continue the conversation before new bills are introduced in the upcoming legislative session. CCOVA continues to work on outreach across the state and encouraging groups across the commonwealth to strengthen connections for prevention purposes. Meetings are held monthly DBHDS News and Updates Community Service Boards have begun their tobacco Merchant Education and Store Audits. Synar compliance inspections may not occur this year because Virginia ABC is not currently completing alcohol and tobacco compliance checks. Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings are in high demand and are being offered virtually. Grant announcements for year three of the State Opioid grants are pending from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). DBHDS’s Partnership for Success SAMHSA grant to address prescription drugs and heroin ovmerdoses ends on September 30. DCJS News and Updates The Juvenile Services Section has,the following trainings upcoming:

Race Equity Lens: Impact and Opportunities in Juvenile Justice

Restorative Justice Practices in Juvenile Justice Juvenile Services is working on the three year plan to submit to the Office of Justice and Prevention. The State Advisory Group and work group will be working on this. This plan impacts status offenders (youth who come before the court without criminal behaviors). The work group has been working over the past year to put additional parameters around a judge’s decision to send youth to detention. The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety has multiple trainings coming up with Jermaine Galloway and is also working with professors at VCU to offer vaping and marijuana webinars. This fall there will be a trauma and pandemic webinar series will focus on youth and childhood trauma. Additionally, substance use prevention training is continuing to be offered in school resource office basic training. A full list of DCJS trainings can be located here: https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/juvenile-services/training DOE News and Updates DOE is currently working on curriculum framework for schools to assist them with the updated Standards of Learning (SOLs). There is curriculum for 6-10th grade to assist with virtual learning to

continue substance use prevention. VDH News and Updates VDH hosted a series of four Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) Waiver trainings in partnership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). They received funding to do another series of 4 in the next fiscal year. Getting great participation – the folks who are doing the trainings on virtual model almost 90-95% are indicating that they will get DEA waiver and will begin prescribing MAT training, DJJ News and Updates Services are continuing as usual.

VSP News and Updates The Youth of Virginia Speak Out Against Traffic Safety (YOVASO) program is going virtual for the upcoming year so clubs can continue promoting traffic safety. A fall campaign promoting buckling up will begin September 21. VFHY News and Updates One of the requirements of VFHY grantees is to meet with their legislators to keep them up to date as to what they are doing with grant funds; this year visits are being completed virtually. Grantees have been able to shift budget funds to do training virtually. This fall the tobacco prevention grants will be available on the website. The tobacco prevention grants are on a three year grant cycle with funding beginning in 2021. Trainings have continued and are now all virtual. The sessions that were planned for the April conference will be available via webinar and will be continuing education credit eligible. All trainings will be available at no cost. DMV News and Updates Melanie Stokes (melanie.stokes@dmv.virginia.gov) is the new Impaired Driving Prevention Program Manager. DMV continues to support grant initiatives for drunk driving. Fiscal year 2021 grants are being awarded that focus on anti-drunk driving and zero tolerance. VANG News and Updates The VANG has been working with coalitions and Roanoke City to develop monthly educational flyers. These flyers have been approved by CADCA to be educational and can be used by any coalition or group with federal funding. The data reported on the flyers has been collected from states who have legalized marijuana. September’s flyer will include legalization quick facts; October will include information about legalization impacts on the workplace; November includes information on legalization impacts on insurance; December includes information about youth impacts; and January will include information about consequences of marijuana use. Virginia ABC News and Updates The Youth Education and Prevention Coordinator is making final edits to the fiscal year 2020 VOSAP Annual Report prior to submission internally. The Being Outstanding Leaders Together Against Drugs and Alcohol (BOLT) are available on the Virginia ABC website. Information has been sent principals, school counselors, school resources officers and health and physical education teachers from Virginia ABC. All materials are free to use and can be utilized in both in-person and distance learning. The Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP) has been reformatted to be a

grant application process. Teams will register for the program and receive training for the development of a Strategies To Act Now (STAN) Plan that addresses gaps in youth substance use prevention efforts in their school and community. Registration opens September 1 and is $50/Team. Training and STAN Plan development will take place October 1 – 15. YADAPP Youth Staff will review the STAN Plans and request modifications. Teams will submit modifications by October 30 and then grant award notifications will go out at the beginning of November. The training schedule for both student Participants and Adult Sponsors has been developed with respect to distance learning schedules. Training for student Participants will include: Alcohol and Other Drugs Trends and Research, Prevention 101, Networking and Advocacy, Virtual Prevention Strategies, Public Affairs and Media and Marketing, Fundraising and Locating Funding and Resources, Project Planning and Evaluation. Training for Adult Sponsors will include: youth engagement, retention and mentoring and virtual prevention strategies. The opportunity to network with their peers will also be available for Adult Sponsors. In May, Virginia ABC announced the 2020-2021 Alcohol Education and Prevention Grantees. They are:

Freedom Support Services

Northwestern CSB

Piedmont Community Services

Richard Bland College

Rockbridge Area Community Services

Chesterfield SAFE

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria The meeting adjourned at 10:44am. Respectfully submitted, Abby Pendleton VOSAP Facilitator abby.pendleton@abc.virginia.gov

SHAKIRA WILLIAMS, MPH

THE ROANOKE

AREA YOUTH

SUBSTANCE

ABUSE

COALITION

Go to MENTI.COMENTER CODE:

32 30 17 0

SUMMARYwww.RAYSAC.org 3

Social Distancing Challenge

Marketing & Messaging

Coalition Meetings

Recently Completed Projects

Camp-in-a-box

Youth Leadership Conference

COVID Website Page

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SOCIAL

DISTANCING

CHALLENGE

HOW TO ADAPT

• Know your

audience

• Ask your audience

• What worked in

the past?

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COALITION

MEETINGS

• Know your

Audience

• Plan Ahead

• Engagement

• Awareness

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COVID19

WEBSITE PAGE

• Research

• Take your time

• Results

SUMMER PROJECTS

www.RAYSAC.org 8

CAMP-IN-A-BOX

YOUTH

LEADERSHIP

• 200 Boxes

• 4 Weeks worth of Activities

• Personality Type Activities

• Amazing Race

• Ropes Course

RESOURCES,

TIPS & HACKS

Trends

Innovative Prevention

Strategies 9

Research Diversity & Inclusion

Engagement Facilitation Tools Consistency & Follow Through

• Current Events

• Google Alerts

• Social Media Trends

• Google Scholar

• Facebook Groups

• Pixbay/Pexels

• Who can’t participate?

• Ice Breakers

• Zoom Breakout Rooms

• Trello

• Mentimeter

• Do things when you say you

are going to do them. Even if

you think that no one will show

up!