VYWC Monthly Newsletter

02/2026 | Issue 10

Next Meeting 02/23!

Valley Youth Wellness Coalition's next meeting will be 02/23 from 9:00-10:30. We will have the intended agenda from January to start building the vaping logic model based off of our top priorities, working on the 7 Strategies for Community Change, and an Action Team breakout time. We will be meeting at the Augusta Health Community Care building 64 Sports Medicine Dr. Fishersville, VA 22939. Park out front, go in through the automatic doors, and make a right to meeting room 3.

Click Here for Directions

Cannabis Retailer Best Practices and Guidelines

Colleen Hughes, Deputy Director of DBHDS, created this linked document highlighting some successful evidence-based practices that several states have implemented with the basis of making legalized cannabis safer for communities.

With the Virginia General Assembly looking to have retail cannabis businesses by November, I wanted to include this for educational purposes and hopefully with the intentions of advocating for a similar successful framework where public health and preventing youth access are prioritized.

Please take the chance to learn more about compliance checks, limiting hours and retail density, safer packaging, age verification protocols, and much more.

Cannabis Retailer Best Practices

Truth Initiative Report Finds Rapidly Evolving Nicotine Market Outpacing Regulation, Putting Youth at Risk

The tobacco industry continues to aggressively target young people by manufacturing and marketing products that appeal to young people, including high-tech "smart" vapes, flavored oral nicotine pouches, and disposable e-cigarettes. Truth Initiative's new reports shows startling statistics on just how rapidly popular these new products are becoming.

Click the button below to learn more about the tactics the tobacco industry is using that targets youth to start using at a younger age and regulation and enforcement strategies that can be implemented to help stop this.

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, which was established in 1964. Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States? The good news is that there is a lot that we can do to lower this risk and help change the statistics.

Lower your alcohol consumption to avoid high blood pressure and weakened heart muscles. No consumption of alcohol is truly safe, including newer research on wine.
Avoid smoking and vaping. Vaping research shows that it is not a healthier alternative to cigarettes.
Get enough sleep. The adult human body needs at least 8 hours of sleep. 8-10 hours for 14-17 year olds.
Practice healthy daily habits of staying physically active and eating lower sodium and cholesterol foods.
Find ways to lower your stress levels. You can start by practicing easy breathing exercises even while driving or on the job.

Check out the National Institute of Health's Toolkit for learning more about this month and sharable resources!

American Heart Month Kit

Teens & Online Gambling: A Loneliness Connection?

With the age of online gambling, betting has never been easier and more discreet. The rise in teen gambling is largely fueled by the accessibility of mobile apps and the "gamification" of betting, but there is also a deeper, hidden factor that is being discovered: A desire for connection, confidence, and a dopamine rush. For many teens, gambling is becoming another high-risk addiction rapidly, with studies showing it leading to suicide even more than alcohol and drugs.

There are curriculums coming out in Virginia that provide opportunities for students to learn in school about the risks of problem gaming and gambling and how to be financially, physically and emotionally well. Click on the button to learn more!

Training Opportunity: Equipping Youth to Confront the Fentanyl Crisis with Author Ben Westhoff

What if saving lives started with teaching the truth; early, often, and without shame? In this episode, we learn how one personal tragedy turned into a mission to expose the real dangers of fentanyl and help young people make informed lifesaving decisions. We learn that education rooted in honesty and empathy, not fear, can help teens make safer choices and become advocates for their own health.

The Champions for Youth Podcast brings together trailblazers in youth advocacy, education, and public health at the forefront of creating impactful change as they reveal their motivations to take action and strategies that make a difference in their communities.

Click the button below to listen!

Listen Here

New Job Opportunity!

The Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth in Waynesboro is hiring for a full-time Substance Abuse Prevention Education Coordinator! If you love working with people, care about your community, and being out in the field making a difference in health and wellness, click the link below to apply!

Office on Youth Job Listing

Community Events

Valley Youth Wellness Coalition | valleyywc@vcsb.org | 540-430-9360 | valleyyouthwellnesscoalition.org