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Programs

Prevention Comes First

Prevention Comes First is the initiative of Governor Kaine to coordinate Virginia’s prevention-focused efforts, increase public awareness, and target resources to improve public safety, especially in the area of gang-related activity. Recalling the adage that it "is easier to build a boy than mend a man", this initiative encompasses a variety of efforts, throughout the developmental stages, to promote the strong, healthy development of Virginia’s youngest citizens.

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Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 2001 is Title IV of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Under NCLB, a strong emphasis is placed upon well-coordinated, SDFSCA-funded program activities between each state’s principal education agency and the Office of the Governor. The GOSAP has worked in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education to develop the SDFSCA portion of Virginia's consolidated application for funding under NCLB.

For FY 2007-2008, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) grants were awarded to 17 projects to support youth substance abuse and violence prevention efforts in communities throughout Virginia. (Go here for a list of current grantees) Grants are awarded in four categories, with priority given to projects targeting youth at higher risk for substance abuse and other problem behaviors. The four categories are:

  1. Programs for youth who need special services or additional resources (priority);
  2. Replication of evidence-based programs;
  3. Community prevention needs assessments; and
  4. Continuation of effective programs.

Grants management and technical assistance services are provided by the Center for School-Community Collaboration at Virginia Commonwealth University. A cross-site evaluation, designed to assess implementation and collect data on project-specific outcomes, is an ongoing GOSAP oversight activity.

Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YADAPP)

The annual YADAPP summer conference held at Longwood University brings more than 80 teams of four high school students and one adult sponsor to the conference to participate in general sessions, topical workshops and action planning designed to promote youth-led substance abuse prevention efforts when they return to their home communities. As part of the KIDsafe Virginia initiative, YADAPP youth leadership development opportunities were extended to the regional level, involving additional schools and youth in expanded prevention activities.

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