Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition (HTS2S)
History
Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition (HTS2S)
OUR STORY
In June 1995, an initial planning meeting involving all major departments in the County of Henrico plus a number of private agencies and community citizens was held to conduct a needs assessment and implement focus groups on the needs of the community. As a result, two priorities were determined: to reduce child abuse and neglect, and to reduce violence through a community focus on prevention. The Henrico Youth Development Committee formed to develop action plans around youth violence for school-aged children. The Community Planning Initiative, as it was known at the time, was divided into two efforts: one focusing on projects such as the Outstanding Youth Awards, which encouraged youth to engage in community service and acknowledged them publicly, and Henrico Youth Impact, a leadership development group for high school youth to train them in volunteer service as an opportunity to develop leadership skills.
In 1998, the Henrico Youth Development Committee became known as Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth, and Healthy Henrico Youth Partnership (HCHY). The goals were to educate all community members on risk and protective factors, and support new and existing programs that promote protective factors for youth enabling healthy youth development. In 2003, the Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth, Healthy Henrico Youth Partnership (HCHY) became the Too Smart to Start Coalition. The focus of the Too Smart to Start Coalition was directed toward the research-based risk and protective factors that prevent substance use among youth. The first Town Hall meeting to raise community awareness in Henrico regarding underage drinking was held in March 2006.
In 2008, the coalition’s name was altered to Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition (TS2S) and a Youth Ambassadors component was added to actively engage youth in leadership development and prevention. The efforts of the coalition focused on the empowerment of every citizen of Henrico County to make changes that promote health and wellness. The Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition continued to plan and host Town Hall meetings annually to introduce the coalition and educate the community. Each successive year the Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition hosted a minimum of two events in collaboration with community partners for the purpose of building capacity and educating the community on the hazards of underage drinking and substance use. Community partners include Henrico County Prevention Services, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), VA ABC (Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control), Regional Drug-Free Alliance, Henrico County Public Schools, Henrico Police Department, and the Parent Council of Commonwealth Parenting
In 2009, the TS2S Coalition was the recipient of the Virginia Dept. of Alcohol & Beverage Control (ABC) Community Coalitions Grant. Over the following year, the coalition engaged several schools and PTAs in collaboratively launching the nationally recognized initiative, Parents Who Host Lose the Most, and four Town Hall meetings were held on underage drinking, and prescription drug abuse. MADD also participated as a partner in these initiatives and subsequent community forums, hosting parent workshops on The Power of Parents in addressing under-age drinking and related risky behaviors.
After incorporation in August 2011, the TS2S coalition formalized its strategies for recruitment. A standing committee with the charge of focusing on membership development was adopted. This committee’s role was, and is still, to strategically engage key stakeholders from the community with affiliations in the 12 core sectors. The Chairman of the Henrico School Board served as chair of the TS2S coalition for several years, thus expanding access to numerous other key stakeholders and decision makers (e.g. County administrators, County Board of Supervisor members, superintendent of schools), enabling the coalition to effectively broaden its capacity building efforts and strategically increase its access to resources; one of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors became a staunch advocate for the coalition. Key Police officials also attended meetings and delegated police personnel to actively assist the coalition efforts. Henrico County key stakeholders were regularly invited to coalition meetings and activities familiarizing them with the work of the coalition and again building and sustaining capacity for its efforts. Additionally, at each monthly meeting key agencies/organizations are invited to “spotlight” their mission and efforts, thereby opening dialogue for additional collaboration, and as another way to sustain membership.
In 2013 the TS2S Coalition entered into a partnership with a veteran coalition, Chesterfield SAFE, from an adjacent county. A DFC Mentoring Grant was obtained by Chesterfield SAFE with the purpose of supporting and advising the TS2S Coalition in its objective to seek a DFC grant. The two neighboring counties have a long history of collaboration on economic, educational, cultural, law enforcement and legislative initiatives. Leaders from the two groups have also worked together on regional (Regional Drug Free Alliance), and statewide coalitions (Community Coalitions of Virginia) to coordinate advocacy,and strengthen the prevention workforce across the state through third-party trainings. Under the DFC Mentorship Grant, the TS2S Coalition strengthened its organizational structure, increased its leadership and community readiness to address youth substance use in Henrico County, obtained valuable training from CADCA and other resources, initiated a strategic planning process, and begun a comprehensive community needs assessment.
The coalition receives substantial support from Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services. The Prevention Services unit played an instrumental role in the inception of the coalition. Currently 2 Prevention Specialists manage and coordinate the activities of the Youth Ambassadors, and provide training, consultation and coordination support to assist the coalition efforts. In particular, the youth leadership component of TS2S (Youth Ambassadors), was started to serve a vital role in mobilizing the community to address youth substance use prevention. The program is designed for 9th through 12th grade Henrico County youth, with the goal of promoting leadership competencies and knowledge of Prevention that will position youth to positively promote change in their community. Youth are recruited from Henrico County high schools, primarily through peer-to peer interaction. The Youth Ambassadors have representation at the Too Smart 2 Start Coalition meetings. The youth assist in the planning and implementation of activities incorporated in the coalition’s operational plan. The coalition liaison is also an employee of Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services Prevention Unit, and is a Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Trainer (SAPST), certified by SAMHSA – Center for Applied Prevention Technologies (CAPT). The roles of all the officers, board members and members are outlined in the TS2S Coalition bylaws. The by-laws were updated March 2014.
In 2016 the coalition received an ABC grant and partnered with Henrico County Public schools to implement a youth survey, and partnered with Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services as part of a comprehensive community needs assessment. And, in 2017 the coalition applied for a Drug Free Community (DFC) community grant. The coalition will hear back in September 2017.
Our partners
