National Prevention Week (May 7-13, 2023) is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and positive mental health.

This week, the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is taking the opportunity to spotlight our Prevention Unit, which brings together local government, schools, faith and community organizations and professionals to build a healthy human service system that constructs well-being and aims to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors for residents.

Improving healthy outcomes for our residents requires the collaborative effort of the entire Fairfax community. The Prevention Unit plays a critical role in coordinating community resources using a Collective Impact Approach. “In prevention, we know that what is predictable is preventable”, says Marla Zometsky, NCS Cross-System Prevention Manager.

“This is why the CI approach is so powerful, because by joining together we can transform systems by constructing well-being. In doing so, we align our efforts to create a more holistic system and one that builds a thriving community where residents can reach their full potential.”

Initiatives and coalitions focused on improving behavioral health outcomes for residents that are coordinated or supported by the Prevention Unit include:

• Trauma Informed Community Network, a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency effort to implement and support Trauma Informed Care initiatives across the Human Services System.
• Out of School Time Network, which promotes best practices and shared resources among after-school programs.
• Youth Leadership Network, which helps youth councils network, engage in volunteer opportunities, and expand their leadership skills.
• Opportunity Neighborhoods, a place-based effort to focus resources and efforts to improve outcomes for children and youth in identified communities.
• Partners in Prevention Capacity Building Program, which works with community-based organizations to develop their abilities to implement prevention programs effectively.
• Promoting Behavioral Health Team, a committee of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax.
• Fairfax Prevention Coalition, a partnership to combat substance misuse in our community.
• Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia, a regional coalition to raise awareness and share resources to prevent suicide.

Prevention welcomes your partnership. For more information on NCS Prevention initiatives or to get involved, visit the NCS website.