Helping to Empower and Reach Out to Youth & Community to Prevent Drug Abuse
A Drug-Free Communities Support Program

To join us simply contact:

Kei Blake, Executive Director
Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.
kblake@rcfbh.org or (928) 627-9222

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Yuma Community Action Coalition

Coalition membership is spread throughout Yuma County, therefore only one regular prepare for General Coalition meetings, prevention initiatives and activities.

Members are encouraged to attend regular coalition meetings on the first Wednesday of the month in September, October, November, January, February, March and May.

There is no fee to become a member of the Coalition. The only requirement is a willingness to help change communities conditions which place youth and their families at risk of drug and alcohol use, violence and related problems.

•  Promote community and school base prevention models which address the needs of youth at-risk of substance abuse, violence and other emotional health problems.

•  Advocate for the needs of at-risk youth and families to reduce problems associated with drug and alcohol use including behavioral health disorders, family and domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and other criminal offenses.

•  Disseminate prevention education information through Coalition meetings, prevention campaigns and other social marketing activities with local media.

•  Provide public access to free drug abuse prevention information and resources through an established Drug Abuse Prevention Resource Center.

•  Promote early problem identification and access to care through community outreach efforts, which connect at-risk youth and families with health and behavioral health professionals and agencies.

•  Promote and recognize culturally competent and effective substance abuse prevention services and programs.

•  Demonstrate collaboration, coordination and cooperation among Coalition members, health and behavioral health professionals, community agencies, local schools and youth-serving organizations, business leaders, media, faith-based groups, and citizens, to leverage funding to support local programs and services through federal, state, public and private sources.

•  Evaluate the effectiveness of Project H.E.R.O. efforts to reduce youth drug and alcohol use and related problems.

The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. is one of three Arizona FY2004 grantees receiving support from the Drug-Free Communities Program. The Regional Center for Border HEALTH, Inc., provides administrative oversight of Project H.E.R.O. goals and objectives and also serves as the project’s fiscal agent. The Regional Center for Border Health, Inc., also serves as the lead agency in partnership with Community Intervention Associates, a licensed behavioral health provider agency. Project H.E.R.O. staff and coalition leaders and members prioritize prevention goals and objectives which promote and advocate for the integration of health and behavioral health services which can address the needs of children, youth and families most affected by substance abuse and related problems.

A community health education, promotion and mental health program. The primary goal of Project is to increase knowledge and awareness of young people at risk of depression, suicide, drug abuse, violence, sexually transmitted diseases, the importance of physical activity, and good nutrition between other related health and/or mental health problems. It offers training opportunities to a wide group of “gatekeepers” including parents, teachers, school counselors , nurses and mental health care providers. Activities also hope to increase the proficiency in responding to the needs of children and adolescents in our community.