Activities: Technical Assistance
The WVPRC builds community capacity by providing a continuum of technical
assistance and support that ranges from information dissemination to facilitated
learning and formal trainings.
Information Dissemination
The WVPRC provides general information about substance abuse and related problems
as well as the availability of prevention resources via information presentations
and/or exhibits at relevant civic/school/faith-based and or heath related events.
The WVPRC also hosts Prevention West Virginia, a 30-minute news and interview
style television program that highlights prevention-related topics and programs.
PrevNet, located at www.prevnet.org,
is the WVPRC’s website and home to many online resources including a Prevention
Contact Directory, Prevention
Training & Events Calendar, and PrevNet
Magazine. The WVPRC’s Underage
Drinking Prevention Project involves the coordination of youth created public
service announcements about underage drinking and its consequences.
Networking & Collaboration
The WVPRC encourages, facilitates, and participates in the development of
collaborative relationships among federal, state, and local entities involved
with prevention. The WVPRC staffs The
WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being, which is the state’s designated
substance abuse prevention and intervention planning body. It consists of Governor-appointed
representatives from state and community entities who have training, experience,
and/or special knowledge concerning substance abuse, prevention, intervention
and treatment.
Evaluation is an integral part of prevention planning and implementation.
The WVPRC provides evaluation services for the WVPRC as well as other agencies
and organizations. Evaluation services include evaluation design, data collection,
data analysis, and report writing.
The WVPRC coordinates and assists with the implementation of annual tobacco
retailer inspections. The inspections are mandated by federal Synar regulation,
which requires states to enact and enforce laws prohibiting the sale or distribution
of tobacco products to individuals under 18.
Facilitated Learning & Trainings
The WVPRC facilitates learning and training opportunities on topics ranging
from assessment to planning and evaluation.
Each fall, the WVPRC coordinates Share
The Vision, a statewide prevention conference featuring workshops, national
keynotes, networking opportunities, and a community awards luncheon.
The WVPRC has the approval of several professional organizations to provide
continuing education units (CEUs)if WVPRC staff are involved in the planning
of, facilitation of, or actual training at an event.
As part of WV’s implementation of its Strategic Prevention Framework State
Incentive Grant (SPF SIG), the WVPRC assists with coordinating and participates
in Regional Learning Opportunities
(RLOs). RLOs are learning and networking events for everyone who plays a role
in community prevention efforts. Regional prevention professionals, members
of county prevention partnerships and other community organizations, and WV
SPF SIG sub-grantees are encouraged to attend.
To assist communities and prevention professionals with using technology,
the WVPRC has developed basic
computer skills trainings. Accessing Prevention Through Technology consists
of workshop sessions in Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
PowerPoint, and prevention-related websites.
WVPRC staff are trained to train others to implement evidence-based programs
and practices such as Keep
A Clear Mind (Drug Education Program for Upper Elementary School-Aged (8-12)
Children); Life
Skills (A Classroom-Based Program for Elementary & Middle School Students);
and Strengthening
Families (A Family Skills Training Program for Families with Elementary
School-Aged Children).
On a limited basis, WVPRC staff also implement evidence-based programs such
as the ones listed above.
Additional information about the WVPRC’s learning and training opportunities
is available by contacting your local Community
Development Specialist.