Work Groups

SAPCA Logo

History

Beginning in April 2006, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Steering Committee identified two priority areas of focus, for which two work groups were created. They were:

Healthy Lifestyles (including physical activity, nutrition and tobacco use); and
Mental Health and Substance Abuse

The work groups began meeting in August 2006 to:

Identify other community partners to serve on the work groups that have an interest or expertise in these priority areas, are critical to the priorities, or are already providing programs or services in these areas. To make this a true community effort, the Partnership strives to involve local City agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, advocacy group and faith community representatives, private citizens, and others;
Identifying and inventorying existing programs and services in the community to prevent duplication of efforts and to promote collaboration with groups providing these efforts;
Utilizing the information about existing efforts to help set the initial direction, illustrate where gaps exist, narrow the focus, and plan, implement and evaluate specific strategies and interventions.
Investigate and select evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies to implement in Alexandria that complement existing efforts.

Co-Chairs of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse work group were Mary Riley, Chair of Alexandria Community Services Board and member of Alexandria’s Public Health Advisory Commission, and Allen Lomax, Chair of Alexandria United Way and the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission.

The Mental Health / Substance Abuse Work Group has conducted several activities with a Year One plan in place (see MH/SA Flow Diagram). Initial strategies include:

Conducting an inventory of existing services, programs and activities for a target population (ages 6-12). This will include reviewing existing resource directories/guides, identifying gaps, and identifying best practices where gaps exist.

The Work Group’s Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, chaired by Allen Lomax, is establishing a youth substance abuse prevention coalition in Alexandria. Jurisdictions across the country have had a significant impact in decreasing youth substance use through active coalitions that bring together youth, parents, representatives from the business community, local government, youth serving agencies and others to develop plans to target specific needs. The Task Force is reviewing the results of the Developmental Assets Survey administered in December 2006, as well as the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey administered in April 2007 to help in setting the direction for the coalition. (Click here to see Washington Post article about the coalition.)

Participating with the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership through the Alexandria Court Service Unit to help in recruitment of mentor volunteers for Alexandria youth (e.g., taking part in Mentoring Partnership meetings and events and advertising the need for mentors through the MH/SA Work Group’s business and other member organization contacts). (See Alexandria Mentoring Partnership website)

Other elements of the long-term plan include:

Exploring longer-range, more resource intensive initiatives such as TeenScreen, a universal screening for anxiety, depression, substance and alcohol abuse, and suicidal thoughts and behavior among youth. This program was developed by Columbia University and has been implemented in several communities. Because of the staffing resources required, the work group would need to obtain funding. Another longer-term effort being studied is Project Northland, a multi-level parent, school, and community-wide program proven to significantly reduce alcohol and substance use in youth. Both programs have been recognized by SAMHSA as model programs.
Exploring and implementing longer-range interventions for the 6-12 age group based on gaps found the above-mentioned inventory (Strategy #1 above).

Mental Health / Substance Abuse Work Group Meeting Minutes

Note: This Work Group was folded into the Partnership Steering Committee in 2008.