We are excited to share the Spring 2025 edition of our Let’s Collaborate Newsletter, highlighting the inspiring progress and powerful partnerships taking place across our region. This season is all about growth - new projects, fresh youth voices, and continued connection with dedicated partners like you.

This newsletter is a space to uplift collaborative efforts, share community-driven resources, and celebrate initiatives that are helping youth and families thrive. Whether it’s through creative expression, wellness promotion, or prevention education, your work is a vital piece of the bigger picture.

This edition is brought to you by Anna Ramirez and Briseida Chavez, who remain committed to building relationships, fostering equity, and amplifying prevention work rooted in community voice.

Thank you for continuing to show up and collaborate. Together, we’re building momentum for lasting change!

Wellness Journal 2.0 - Youth Submissions Wanted!

We're partnering with DOH and the You Can + Choose You campaign to co-create version 2.0 of the Youth Wellness Journal.

We’re asking youth to submit creative content - poetry, art, affirmations, tips, etc. - for inclusion. Content designed or developed by teens in your community, like original artwork, activity prompts, coping strategies, or positive affirmations relating to any of the following topics: mental health and self-care, healthy day or nighttime routines, relationships and role models, refusal skills and boundaries, or prevention messaging. Like last year, teens will be compensated for their contributions. Click here to see examples of coloring pages on page 8 and self-care writing prompts on page 14.

Deadline has been extended to May 16!

Interested youth can submit their content to Briseida Chavez at bchavez@esd123.org.

Regional Youth Summit Highlights: On March 14, 2025, over 400 youth and adults gathered at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco for the Regional Youth Summit, hosted by Benton Franklin Health District. The day featured inspiring workshops, youth-led panels, and a powerful keynote address by Big Joe Bro, who brought humor and heart while encouraging youth to lead with kindness and courage Huge thank you to BFHD and all our partners, speakers, and volunteers who made this unforgettable event possible!

Washington Breathes: Join the Leadership Committee for WA Breathes! Washington Breathes, the statewide commercial tobacco prevention coalition, is recruiting for their Leadership Committee. They're especially seeking individuals with: grant writing experience, lived experience in communities most impacted by tobacco and/or a passion for equity and public health. Are you interested in joining or learning more? Contact info@wabreathes.org. For new social media reels – see their posts with engaging new videos on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Resource Spotlight: YARP – Youth Access & Resource Program: Serving Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Asotin, Garfield, Walla Walla & Kittitas counties, YARP supports youth with complex behavioral health needs by connecting families with school and community services. It is updated every couple weeks so you can see if they are accepting new clients or not, have bilingual staff, what type of insurance is accepted, etc. Resources include: local hub contacts, coordination teams, and cross-system family support. Learn more at https://yarp.kidsmentalhealthwa.org/. Under the "Find A Provider" drop down there is options for the counties that they have released.

As part of our ongoing work through the Youth Cannabis & Commercial Tobacco Prevention (YCCTP) program, we conducted a youth-centered needs assessment to identify key challenges and opportunities. The assessment focused on local youth perspectives around health, well-being, and substance use. Emerging themes included:

• Youth want more culturally responsive education on substance use and mental health

• Many students feel prevention efforts are not reaching their peer groups, especially those outside of school-based programs

• Trusted messengers include peers, older siblings, and social media influencers

• Youth expressed a strong interest in creative outlets like art, journaling, and storytelling as prevention tools

These insights are shaping future programming and resource development. We’re grateful to all the youth and partners who participated!

Community Assessment with CBOs: Final Report - We recently wrapped up a collaborative assessment project with GMMB and local community-based organizations. The goal - better understand barriers and opportunities for youth prevention messaging in our communities.

Key findings include:

• The need for culturally relevant, bilingual content

• Greater involvement from parents and caregivers in campaigns

• Trusted communication channels (e.g., WhatsApp, Spanish-language radio, TikTok)

Want the full report? Contact us for highlights or a copy.

Prosser Thrive Cafe Mural

Our Youth-Led Mural Project is officially in painting mode! From April 11-24, student artists are working with Lisa Brouwer-Thompson, Art Expression Trauma and Resilience Coordinator (A.R.T.S.) at ESD 123, to bring their prevention-inspired vision to life. The mural, funded by Benton Franklin Health District, will be unveiled to the community in May 2025 - more info to come!

We can’t wait to share the final masterpiece with you!

(English) Youth Mental Health First Aid

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - In Collaboration with Kadlec Community Health
Location: ESD 123

Understanding Youth Nicotine Addiction: Health Impacts & Cessation Resources/Strategies

Monday, April 21, 2025 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The training will be headed by Dr. Crystal Shen, MD, MPH. Pediatrician and Legislative Committee Chair for the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results from a National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 68% of youth who vape have tried to quit, but almost two-thirds had no cessation support. The latest generation of e-cigarettes and oral nicotine products contain significantly higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes, spurring youth nicotine addiction. Those who work with youth in schools and other settings may find it challenging to address youth nicotine addiction and to support nicotine cessation. Dr. Shen will overview treatment approaches and resources for youth who use nicotine products, including how Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) medications can be prescribed to adolescents under 18 as per American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. She will explain cessation resources that are available including those for Washington state and address common questions about nicotine addiction and the challenges of quitting.

This presentation is for school staff, professionals focused on youth and schools, prevention and public health professionals, and all others interested in improving youth nicotine cessation treatment.

Register on Zoom to participate:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ywPfzmMGTtqrYoFKzkt6HQ

April
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day – April 27, 2025
This important day raises awareness about the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. Proper disposal helps prevent misuse and protects our environment. Events will be happening throughout our communities—be on the lookout for opportunities to participate or help spread the word!

May
Mental Health Awareness Month: Raise awareness about mental health issues and promote the importance of mental well-being.

June
Pride Month – Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and promoting equal rights.