We are thrilled to kick off this edition of our Let's Collaborate Newsletter by celebrating the incredible partnerships and connections we’ve built with organizations like yours. This newsletter serves as a platform to share resources, updates and initiatives that are working towards the shared goal of building healthier, stronger communities.

Collaboration and relationship-building are at the heart of what we do. By working together, we can amplify our impact and create meaningful change for the individuals and families we serve. We deeply value the dedication and efforts of our partners in striving to make our community a better place for everyone.

This newsletter is brought to you by Anna Ramirez and Briseida Chavez, who are committed to fostering collaboration and amplifying the amazing work happening across our community.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Together, we can achieve so much more!

New! Empower Vape-Free YouthTM Campaign Spanish-language Print Materials

CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health’s Empower Vape-Free YouthTM campaign released a Spanish-language fact sheet and conversation card.

These print materials provide important information for educators to engage in meaningful conversations with their students about the dangers of vaping and ways to quit.

The materials are available on the campaign webpage and will soon be available for hard copy orders through the Publication Catalog Ordering System.

The goal of the Empower Vape-Free YouthTM campaign is to empower educators to speak with youth about the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction and to encourage youth to avoid or quit vaping. 

SmokefreeTXT for Teens

Become a Smokefree Teen! Smokefree Teen offers tools and tips designed to help teens aged 13 to 17 quit smoking and take charge of their health.

One key resource is SmokefreeTXT for Teens, a free texting program provided by the National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov. Teens can sign up by texting QUIT to 47848 or enrolling online to receive daily text messages for 6–8 weeks with personalized support to help them quit smoking.

Share this resource with teens in your community to help them lead healthier, smoke-free lives!

Youth Prevention Summit: We’re also thrilled to share that the Regional Youth Summit is officially underway! The summit is scheduled for March 14, 2025, at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel. We hope you’ll mark your calendars! Registration Link to come.

Washington Breathes: New social media reels – see their posts with engaging new videos on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

We are excited to share that the Youth Cannabis and Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program’s (YCCTPP) Needs Assessment Project has successfully completed the focus group phase!

Thanks to the incredible support from our partners and community members, we had a strong turnout for the focus groups and gathered valuable feedback.

This input will play a critical role in shaping prevention strategies that address the needs of our youth and communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in or supported this process. Your contributions have been instrumental in ensuring that our efforts are guided by the voices and experiences of our communities, with a special emphasis on serving the Hispanic/Latino population.

We look forward to sharing more updates soon as we continue developing targeted solutions to reduce cannabis and commercial tobacco use among young people, promoting healthier lifestyles across Washington.

Prosser Thrive Mural

We are thrilled to announce a collaborative project to create a mural at the Prosser Thrive Café, designed by students from the Prosser area! This mural will reflect the creativity, identity, and values of the students within the Prosser community.

We are looking forward to hearing from the students! What themes, visuals, or messages they feel best represent them and their community?

The ideas and input will guide this project and ensure the mural is a true representation of the youth in Prosser.

If you have students in the Prosser area, please encourage them to complete the survey linked here to share their thoughts and ideas.

Their feedback is vital in shaping this project. We’d love to receive the input by mid-February to include your voice in the planning process.

Rent the Thrive Cafe!

Did you know that you can rent our cafe space?Our charming cafe offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for everything from intimate meetings to small parties or casual get-togethers. We offer flexible rental options to suit your needs:

• $50 per hour/$350 for the entire day + deposit

• Our space features 7 small round tables (seating 3-4 people each) and 3 comfy couches for a relaxed vibe. Need more seating? We also offer additional tables and chairs to accommodate your group.

• You'll also enjoy access to our sound system for background music, helping to set the perfect mood for your event.

• Our kitchen area is equipped with a fridge and freezer, so you can store food or drinks for your guests.

• We also have 2 bathrooms for your convenience.

Please note, our equipment (including computers, espresso machine, and other café tools) is not available for guest use during your rental. However, feel free to bring your own catering or supplies!

(English) Youth Mental Health First Aid

January 15, 2025 - In Collaboration with Kadlec Community Health
Location: ESD 123

(English) Adult Mental Health First Aid

March 12,2025 - In Collaboration with Kadlec Community Health
Location ESD 123

January
• National Drug Facts Week: A health observance to promote awareness and events that debunk myths about drugs using NIDA science.

February
• National Marijuana Awareness Month: Established to highlight the negative consequences of marijuana use.

March
• National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (March 18–22)
• Take Down Tobacco/Kick Butts Day (March 20)

April
• Take Down Tobacco – National Day of Action (April 1)
• National Drug Takeback Day (April 20)