Viable Options in Community Endeavors

Community Coalition Partnership - The Voices Advocating Substance Awareness (VASA) coalition is a community partnership that targets environmental factors, such as community norms, laws, and city ordinances, in McLennan County. The coalition includes representatives from various community sectors, including businesses, faith-based organizations, parents, students, educators, and law enforcement. The coalition conducted five community media awareness campaigns to change the community's environment and affect its residents' attitudes and knowledge. The campaigns increased awareness of the dangers of vaping among youth and of suicide prevention. VASA conducted 80 community-based promotion activities and served 1,043 youth and 2,061 adults through educational presentations and community events. Additionally, VASA conducted 47 stress-relieving activities for 1,163 youth and 1,509 adults through designated COVID-19 funding.