The West Virginia University Extension Service is partnering with families and community leaders in two West Virginia counties to help them PROSPER, thanks to a grant that will introduce a nationally recognized youth development and prevention initiative into state schools and communities.

PROSPER, short for PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience, provides programs created to strengthen families and reduce risky youth behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse. The first phase of the PROSPER initiative will be implemented in Randolph and Brooke counties through a program called Strengthening Families, developed to improve parent-child communication and increase family well-being.

According to Alicia Cassels, curriculum specialist for the WVU Extension Service and PROSPER project director, PROSPER has a solid track record and is especially valuable for families and communities in West Virginia.

“This program has been implemented in several other states and has seen proven results over a 20 year period,” said Cassels. “If we follow the program guidelines, we can expect the same outcomes right here in West Virginia that have been proven in the research.”

Community outcomes of the PROSPER program include reduced experimentation with drugs, improved parent-child communication, enhanced school engagement and lower dropout rates.

PROSPER is looking to recruit families of sixth graders for the Strengthening Families program launching this fall. Volunteering families will participate in a free seven-week program including highly interactive, video-based sessions. The deadline to register is Aug. 31, and is on a first come, first serve basis.

In preparation for the start of Strengthening Families, more than 20 law enforcement officers, teachers, counselors and other community leaders have undergone training to lead the PROSPER Strengthening Families program. Amanda Johnson, WVU Extension Service agent and PROSPER team co-leader in Randolph County, believes Strengthening Families will help to curb drug issues and improve lives within the community.

“It was my role to gather a team of community leaders and collaborate to choose a PROSPER model best suited for our community,” said Johnson. “Our whole team is coming together to organize this program and ensure its long-term sustainability—we all believe it will be a catalyst for much needed change in Randolph County.”

According to Jason Rine, WVU Extension Service agent and PROSPER team co-leader in Brooke County, all of the team leaders currently undergoing training are optimistic about the impact Strengthening Families will have on the community.

“We have a lot of great minds coming together to help us implement this program in Brooke County,” said Rine. “We truly believe PROSPER will give families the tools they need to help prevent substance abuse and improve youth development not only in their own homes, but also in the surrounding communities.”

PROSPER was funded in part through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
For more information on PROSPER or to sign up, contact your local County Office of the WVU Extension Service. To find contact information, visit www.ext.wvu.edu/county_offices/.

-WVU-

bd/07/17/15

CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu

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