Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth (SPIFFY)

Visit our website at: spiffycoalition.org

Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth (SPIFFY)

SPIFFY is a broad, county-wide coalition consisting of schools, parent groups, health and human service agencies, civic groups, community-based organizations, businesses, youth and faith communities interested in improving outcomes for youth in Hampshire County. SPIFFY’s initiatives are developed through a collaborative process that follows the Strategic Prevention Framework, a national model of community building. The five steps are:

• Assessment
• Capacity Building
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation

SPIFFY’s goal is to work as a community to reduce risk factors, while simultaneously promoting protective factors for youth. This strategy is grounded in research, fosters effective collaboration, and results in action.

SPIFFY has initiated several strategies aimed at creating a culture within communities that discourages underage drinking and other risky behaviors, and promotes positive opportunities for youth development. These initiatives include decreasing youth access to alcohol and other drugs through “environmental strategies” such as compliance checks of retail stores selling alcohol.

Data is always at the forefront of coalition conversations, and strategies address identified community needs. SPIFFY has administered a Youth Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (PNA) in Hampshire County schools since 2002. The PNA was designed to assess adolescent substance use, anti-social behavior and the risk and protective factors that predict these adolescent problem behaviors. This data is utilized by SPIFFY, and local school districts to assess current conditions and prioritize areas of greatest need.

2009 Hampshire County Youth Survey Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Results (31-Pg PDF)

Meetings of the full SPIFFY coalition are scheduled twice per year. In addition, committees and task forces meet regularly throughout the year to implement activities identified in the strategic plan.

For more information, please contact:

Sue Cairn
SPIFFY Coalition Coordinator
123B Hawley Street
Northampton, MA. 01060
413-586-4998 x114
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Marisa Hebble
413-586-4998 x115
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Heather Warner
413-586-4998 x116
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Workshops:

Adolescent Brain Development and the Science of Addiction
February 15, 2011
8:45am-12:00pm
Northampton, MA
SPIFFY-Prevention Workshop (1 pg PDF)