February 2024 Newsletter

Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the February Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!

🏆 Are you ready for Super Bowl LVIII? 🌟 Regardless of which team you're rooting for, it's essential to have a winning game plan against drunk driving. 🚨 In 2021, 13,384 traffic deaths involved drunk driving.

Let's play it smart and follow these keys to the game:

1️⃣ Know the Rules:

  - It's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

  - Law enforcement doesn't throw a yellow flag; they throw the playbook at you. Get pulled over, arrested, and prosecuted, costing about $10,000 on average.

2️⃣ Play It Safe:

  - Plan for a sober ride. Taxis, ride shares, public transportation, or designated drivers are your winning plays.

3️⃣ Be a Party MVP:

  - Volunteer to be a designated driver. Be there for your team with a safe and sober ride home.

4️⃣ If You've Been Drinking, You're Benched:

  - No place on the road for anyone who's been drinking. Help them find a sober ride home.

5️⃣ Be the Head Coach When Hosting:

  - Take care of designated drivers, provide plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks, and intercept keys before drinking.

👊 We all share the same game plan against drunk driving. Always buckle up—your seat belt is your best defense in a crash. 🛡️👍 Stay safe and enjoy the game responsibly!

[Source Article: NHTSA - Super Bowl Sunday: Fans, Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk]

American Heart Month

🩺❤️ American Heart Month Spotlight: My Heart My Voice!❤️🩺

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. A person might not have symptoms, but it’s a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Monitoring your own blood pressure at home can help you keep your blood pressure under control. Did you know? A CDC study showed that about 1 in 25 youth ages 12 to 19 have hypertension, and 1 in 10 has elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is more common in youth with obesity.

In the spirit of American Heart Month, let's prioritize our cardiovascular health! 💓 Heart health is crucial for overall well-being! Check out the CDC's valuable resources on maintaining healthy blood pressure, especially among youth. Knowledge is power, and by staying informed, we empower ourselves and our community to lead heart-healthy lives. 🏃‍♀️🥦🚴‍♂️

Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure in Kids and Teens

NIH What is Heart-Healthy Living?

🌟✊🏾Honoring Black History Month: A Celebration of Resilience and Progress 🌟✊🏾

In observance of Black History Month, we pay tribute to the courageous spirit and contributions of African Americans throughout history. The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to Carter G. Woodson, a pioneering scholar who recognized the need to highlight the achievements of Black Americans. His efforts laid the foundation for a month-long celebration dedicated to acknowledging the struggles, triumphs, and legacy of the Black community.

As we commemorate Black History Month, let's reflect on how far we've come and the ongoing journey towards equality and justice. Through prevention work, we honor the resilience and strength of the Black community, striving to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, unencumbered by the burdens of discrimination.🤝🏾🌍

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of VA

National Museum of African American History & Culture

Celebrate Black History in Henrico County

Here's what we've been up to...

January 18: Varina HS Center for Communications & Media Relations visit

Many thanks to the students for providing their feedback on substance use prevention videos. Their contribution will help us create more impactful videos that will reach youth and families.

January 24: Youth Opioid Awareness Town Hall

Henrico Prevention and our Youth Ambassadors joins Henrico Too Smart to Start Coalition in the fight against Youth Opioid use!

See Channel 6 coverage of this amazing and impactful event.

January 29 - February 1: CADCA 34th Annual National Leadership Forum

Team Henrico, along with our Virginia Prevention Champions and members of CCOVA, represented Big Time!

Here's what we have planned...

February 1-2: SAM Good Drug Policy Summit, National Harbor, MD

February 3: Coaches for the Cure, Henrico Sports & Events Center

February 21-22: DCJS Power of Prevention Summit, Crossings at VA Center

February 22-23: Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference

HENRICO YOUTH AMBASSADORS

February 5-9: Youth Ambassadors participate in Sticker Shock

This collaborative between Henrico Prevention, Henrico Youth Ambassadors & Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition involves working together to keep alcohol out of the hands of youth and keep our community safe. Learn more about how your organization can participate in Project Sticker Shock. 🌐👍

February 24: Teen Summit RVA 2024

Coverage of the 2023 Teen Summit RVA

CONNECT CORNER

We are raising WISE GUYZ in Henrico County! Empowering young men to be the best version of themselves and become a positive influence in their community.

Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Coventry CONNECT.

Participants read Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and processed what his words meant to them.

They shared great insight on how Dr. King's contributions impact our lives today. 

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Henrico Prevention offers various FREE community-based trainings supporting mental health awareness and substance use prevention.

✨Explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with our insightful and impactful training session. ACEs are events in childhood that can have lasting effects on health and well-being.

We invite community organizations to prioritize mental health and resilience by scheduling a 3-hour (in-person or virtual) ACEs training for their members or staff. Uncover the keys to understanding and addressing these experiences for a brighter, more compassionate future.

Interested? Reach out to us at henricoprevention@henrico.us to schedule your training! Together, let's foster a supportive environment.

Visit BeWellVA.com for regional training opportunities.

Be Well VA is the Community Services Boards Office on Prevention regional approach to bring awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promote wellness for life. We are a local resource to help you find your path to emotional well-being. Find out what’s happening in your community, learn more, and BE WELL Virginia!

Henrico Prevention thrives on your input and engagement. We invite you to share your thoughts on our newsletter—what you loved, what you'd like to see more of, and any ideas for future content. Your valuable feedback helps us tailor our communications to better serve your needs and interests.