ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for February 2025

Black History Month

February marks Black History Month, an annual observation of the historic struggles and contributions of Black people in the United States. The origins of Black History Month are tied to historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In 1926 Dr. Woodson selected February for this celebration as both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in February. Dr. Woodson also founded what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), whose mission is “to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.”

The ASALH continues to spread awareness of Black history through publications, annual events, and partnering with organizations across the United States to provide grants and resources for dissemination of information. The ASALH selects the annual theme for Black History month as well. The theme for this year is African Americans and Labor, which highlights the crucial impact of African Americans in the labor workforce along with the history of slavery and present-day disparities in labor conditions for Black Americans.

In addition to exploring the wealth of resources from the ASALH, below are some ideas for celebrating Black History Month:

• Explore history through the works of Black artists, national parks, and veteran’s history through The Library of Congress and their Black History Month collaborators.
• Find Black history month events and historical sites across California through Visit California’s website.
• Learn about health disparities and methods to promote health equity in prevention work through Healthy People 2030. 

CSAP Six Prevention Strategies: Alternative Activities

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has developed six major prevention strategies: information dissemination, prevention education, positive alternatives, environmental strategies, community-based processes, and problem identification and referral. These broad categories are used to describe the types of approaches effective in comprehensive substance use prevention.

Alternative activities are opportunities for community members to participate in safe and healthy activities that exclude substance use. Alternative activities might look like substance-free social/recreational meetups, community service activities, and youth/adult leadership opportunities. The idea is that the availability of engaging and fun activities will make community members less likely to use substances.

California is home to a variety of alternative programs that provide ways for people to become involved with their communities, engage in substance-free programming, and find leadership opportunities. California’s Friday Night Live Partnership is a peer-lead program that aims to prevent youth substance use by providing leadership opportunities and empowering young people to become involved members of their communities. Friday Night Live Partners also plan substance-free social meetups, cultural/faith-based events, and community service opportunities for youth to engage in.

Strategic Prevention Framework: Capacity Building

The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) was created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide prevention planners with a guide to comprehensively understand and address substance misuse in their communities. The steps of the SPF include assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Cultural responsiveness and sustainability are woven throughout each step of the SPF.

Following the assessment step of the SPF, we have a better idea of a community’s capacity to address substance misuse. All communities already have a degree of capacity, but sometimes the resources on hand are not up to the challenges. Additional resources may be needed, such as more funding, more personnel, more community awareness and involvement, and more support from the organizations we work in.

Each Strategic Prevention Plan includes a capacity building element where communities describe their capacity needs and the steps they will take to build that additional capacity. A critical consideration in capacity building efforts must involve and honor community champions including local stakeholders as well as the rightsholders of the land and local traditions. The capacity building step includes pulling together a prevention team or enhancing and mobilizing existing ones and raising awareness in the community about the substance use/misuse concern that the plan aims to address.

Community Spotlight: Pueblo y Salud and Sierra Native Alliance Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is a valuable tool in prevention that has been found to reduce negative attitudes and stereotypes, encourage others to seek support, and promote community healing and empowerment. Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California (ABHPC) is excited to share two of our upcoming digital stories done in partnership with Pueblo y Salud and Sierra Native Alliance. These special features will be screened exclusively during our upcoming 2025 Action Lab Regional Training Events, alongside another digital story about one of ABHPC’s emerging professionals. Representatives from each organization will be in attendance to share more about these sessions and the incredible work they do in the community:

Pueblo y Salud: Headquartered in San Fernando with a satellite location in Palmdale, Pueblo y Salud offers residents of Los Angels County opportunities for self-empowerment and community connection. Home to the Youth 4 Hoods Coalition and various evidence-based educational programs in primary prevention, Pueblo y Salud’s dedication to community-based substance use disorder prevention is far-reaching. The organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those they serve and works to promote health equity in all that they do. Through this, a healthier community is created, where an improved quality of life and access to resources are prioritized for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Sierra Native Alliance:
Sierra Native Alliance’s mission of “Preserving Native Families, Cultures, and Environments” is demonstrated through all aspects of the organization’s work and outreach. With an emphasis on community empowerment, cross-cultural awareness, intergenerational sharing, and activity-based learning, Sierra Native Alliance serves youth and Indigenous community members with a person-centered, trauma-informed approach.

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Join us in-person to experience more incredible sessions!

We are excited to invite you to join us for the 2025 Action Lab Regional Training events both in-person and virtually! These annual no-cost Action Lab Regional Training events are your opportunity to immerse yourself in the expansion and sustainability of the prevention workforce. While attending virtually may be convenient, nothing compares to the valuable in-person experience we have planned just for you. Plus, No-Cost Continued Education Units (CEUs) available for Regional participants.

Why Attend In-Person?

• Connect with Fellow Preventionists: Network with other preventionists, share insights, and build relationships that can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations.
• Specialized Sessions: Get hands-on training, learn new techniques, and gain practical tools to support the prevention field and efforts through collaboration, community, compassion, care, and more. 
• Access to Key Experts & Resources: Engage directly with leading experts in the field of prevention. Ask questions, get advice, and leave with actionable insights that you can bring back to your community.

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If you are interested in having your organization or prevention program featured in an upcoming bulletin, email Olivia Shrago at oshrago@cars-rp.org to get started!