24 Hour Crisis Services The Eastern Shore Community Services Board (ESCSB) Office of Prevention Services provides primary substance abuse prevention services to youth, parents, individuals through a variety of community and school based programs and activities intended to support communities, individuals, families and youth experiencing high levels of risk.
Philosophy
The risk of developing problem behaviors including use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs increases significantly among youth and families who are experiencing social isolation, academic failure, financial stressors and single-parenthood.
Research shows that prevention programs effectively steer children away from destructive behaviors through early childhood and family strengthening parenting initiatives; mentoring and health education programs and experiential opportunities.
Research also demonstrates a clear link between healthy, thriving communities and active community efforts to reduce youth access to alcohol tobacco and other drugs as well as initiatives that increase the action and advocacy of individuals and communities to respond effectively to adverse childhood experiences, the promotion of mental health and wellness and coordinated community partnerships.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Promotion focuses on community mobilization and advocacy efforts to develop a network of resources that improve the health and well-being of communities by reducing risk factors like access to drugs, homelessness, unemployment,
domestic violence, academic failure, and poor medical health. Through community education, public education and policy advocacy efforts prevention services can make positive changes to systems that support communities and individuals to live healthy, pro-social lives.
Services
The Office of Prevention develops, promotes and delivers nationally recognized, evidence-based programs and services through a sustained comprehensive approach that incorporates home, family, and school and community environments.
Programs are provided in a variety of formats including:
Most services are offered in small group sessions of 15-30 participants that range in length from a couple hours to full days and several weeks in length.
Prevention services and activities provide safe, educational, practical, fun and meaningful experiences to youth, families, individuals and organizations in order to enhance and improve positive life and social skills and to develop appropriate peer and community support systems.
Application and Enrollment
An application process is required to enroll in all ESCSB Prevention Services and Programs.
Applications for ESCSB Prevention Services are received via recruitment efforts and referrals. Self-referrals are also accepted. Interested individuals, organizations and referral sources can call the ESCSB Office of Prevention directly to request registration for services or walk-in for assistance.
All applicants will be notified in writing and by phone regarding their application status.
A full application process may include a follow-up visit by ESCSB Prevention staff to assist with completing the application process and determine each individual’s eligibility for services. A new application/registration is required each time enrollment in a new or different program is requested.
Enrollment is based on federally approved criteria for Substance Abuse Prevention Services, program capacity and individual eligibility.
All ESCSB Prevention services and programming are funded via state and/or federal substance abuse prevention funds which provide the cost of services to each eligible participant.
For a description of our Prevention Program services, please click here.
Youth:
“Vision of You”: Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Health Education Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices
Parents:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Parent Workshop
Community Education/Training:
- ACE Interface Training: Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Adult Mental Health First Aid
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
- REVIVE! (Naloxone training)
- Opioid Prevention Education
- Zero Suicide Prevention
- Counter Tools: Tobacco Prevention Merchant Education
Coalition Efforts:
- Community Partners of the Eastern Shore (CPES)
- Family Wellness & Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council
- Rapid Response Team
- Public Awareness and Resource Assistance Committee
- Eastern Shore Drug Task Force: Overdose Fatality Review Team
- Suicide Prevention Task Force
ESCSB emergency services call center at 757-442-7707
