Purpose/Activities/Services
The WV Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC) staffs The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and provides support for WV’s community prevention efforts through information dissemination, networking and collaboration, facilitated learning and training, evaluation, and Synar compliance activities.
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, and Prevention Training & Events Calendar.
- 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.
Facilitated Learning and 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, WV's annual, statewide substance abuse prevention conference featuring two days of learning and networking.
- The WVPRC has the approval of several professional organizations to provide continuing education units (CEUs) at prevention-oriented learning events.
- 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. Prevention professionals and members of county prevention partnerships and other community organizations 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.
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.