Prevention Services

Philosophy
Services
Registration
Pizza Outreach

The Eastern Shore Community Services Board (ESCSB) Office of Prevention Services provides primary substance abuse prevention & mental health promotion services to youth ages 2-17 and their parents through a variety of community and school-based programs and activities intended to support families and youth experiencing high levels of risk. Prevention Services also offers a variety of community advocacy and mobilization efforts promoting health and supportive networks of resources for well-being.

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, 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, school and community environments.

Programs are provided in a variety of formats including:

Classroom-Based Services

Community Education Programs

Family Programs

Youth Programs

Community Coalition Efforts

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.

Registration and Enrollment

A registration process is required to enroll in all ESCSB Prevention Services and Programs.

To find training and to register, click on the red button to the right and choose which program or training you would like to attend. Our registrations are handled through Eventbrite for the majority of ESCSB Prevention Services events.

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. All materials and information will be provided at no cost to eligible participants.

Naloxone Training – REVIVE! Opioid Overdose Reversal Training

Learn how to administer Naloxone/Narcan to someone experiencing an Opioid Overdose. This course teaches you how to recognize the signs of an Opioid Overdose, administer Naloxone, and get the appropriate professional help. Over three Virginians die each day due to an Opioid Overdose. Learn how to save a life and help keep your family safe. The class is free and takes about an hour to complete.

Listed below are the services offered by Prevention Services:

Click Here to Find Upcoming Trainings

Parents:

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Parents Workshop
Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth:

Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices

Community Education:

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Interface Training
Adult & Youth Mental Health First Aid
REVIVE! Lay-Rescuer Training (Naloxone training)
School-based Opioid Prevention Education
QPR Suicide Prevention Education
Counter Tools: Tobacco Prevention Merchant Education
Lock & Talk Virginia

Coalition Efforts:

Health Planning Region V: Suicide Prevention Task Force
Eastern Shore Healthy Communities
Community Partners of the Eastern Shore (CPES)
- Family Wellnes & Substance Abuse Prevention Advisory Council
- Rapid Response Team (RRT)
- Public Awareness & Resource Assistance Committee
- Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Committee

Suicide Prevention Pizza Boxes

Since late 2020, our Prevention team has delivered over 4,000 pizza boxes to local pizzerias in hopes of spreading awareness and destigmatizing the topic of suicide. The pizza box includes a statewide statistic on suicide, as well as resources for support. Our hope is to kick off the conversation of suicide and its prevalence in our lives. Many Eastern Shore residents and visitors struggle with depression and overall mental wellbeing. It’s an important time to talk to friends and loved ones about what is going on. If you or someone you know needs support, call our Emergency Services at 757-442-7707, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.