The United Services and Equity Foundation (USEF) is launching the Fresno Youth Substance-use Prevention Coalition, an initiative focused on addressing vaping, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, fentanyl and other substance use before young people reach a point of crisis.
A Fresno-based nonprofit is developing a new coalition geared towards preventing substance abuse among young people, aiming to bring together healthcare professionals, educators, businesses and community organizations in Fresno and Clovis.
The United Services and Equity Foundation (USEF) is launching the Fresno Youth Substance-use Prevention Coalition, an initiative focused on addressing vaping, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, fentanyl and other substance use before young people reach a point of crisis.
Founded in 2021, USEF focuses on expanding opportunities, improving health and developing leadership skills among young people and families throughout the Valley.
The coalition will prioritize outreach to immigrant and refugee youth and families, placing emphasis on culturally responsive prevention efforts and community engagement.
The organization is also developing a research initiative, incorporating the knowledge of Stanford University experts to better understand tobacco and nicotine use among Valley households where English is not the primary language.
The organization’s planned survey-based research and intervention project looks to collaborate with Lisa Henriksen, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, and Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, Ph.D., founder and director of Stanford Medicine’s REACH Lab.
The efforts are being developed by Fresno-raised community leaders, pre-medical students and medical students aiming to address health challenges in their home communities.
The coalition is expected to bring together representatives from schools, healthcare organizations, businesses, public agencies, media outlets, faith communities and youth-serving organizations.
Its structure draws on a framework outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House, emphasizing coordinated approaches to reduce substance use.
USEF officials believe the initiative could address a gap in coordinated and prevention efforts in the Central Valley, where they say comparable cross-sector coalitions are lacking.
The organization is recruiting community representatives for an initial six-month formation period, with participants expected to attend monthly online meetings.
Through the coalition and its planned research partnerships, USEF aims to develop prevention strategies shaped by local experiences while strengthening collaboration among organizations serving Fresno-area youth.