Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Education and Prevention Section Eddie Wirt, Director of Policy, Planning, and Education Katie Weaks, Manager Jennifer Farinholt, Coordinator Robert Jackson, Coordinator Stephanie Davis, Coordinator Steve Hammond, Coordinator

Education and Prevention Mission To promote responsible consumption and distribution by licensees of alcoholic beverages to those of age and zero tolerance for underage consumption through the use of prevention initiatives that focus on environmental, educational and information dissemination strategies.

Needs Assessment Age Group Focus Consumption Behaviors Topics to Consider - drinking experimentation may begin - developing their opinions about 5-12 years old Prevention alcohol 13-20 years old Prevention and Education - drinking experimentation may begin - drink five or more drinks at each sitting - drunk driving - verbal, physical, and sexual violence - academic problems - potential lack of resources in high school and college 21-30 years old Education - drunk driving - providing alcohol to underage users - drink five or more drinks at each sitting - begin drinking less beer and more wine and liquor - sellers and servers 31-49 years old Education - drunk driving - providing alcohol to underage users - drink five or more drinks at each sitting - sellers and servers - parenting - caring for elderly parents 50+ years old Education - responsible drinking while recognizing changes in body composition - alcohol and medication interactions

Education and Prevention Initiatives Ages 5-12 Ages 13-20 Ages 21-30 Ages 31-49 Ages 50+ Licensees Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group X College Conference/Tour X X Governor s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention X X Manager s Alcohol Responsibility Training X Miss Virginia School Tour X Project Sticker Shock X X Educational Materials X X X X X X Responsible Sellers and Servers: Virginia s Program X X Virginia College Alcohol Leadership Council X X Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project X

Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group History: In response to a Governor's initiative, in March 2007, VA ABC Education and Prevention Section convened a meeting of key state stakeholders and other various agency heads who service the aging population of Virginia to establish what services were available concerning the older adult and alcohol education/prevention, identify gaps in these services, and establish points of collaboration. This group evolved into the AAAG with representation from 20 public and private organizations representing health, mental health, and senior advocacy. Mission: The AAAG mission is to be the leader in providing education, training and resources on the use of alcohol and medications as adults age. Description: The AAAG established five goals to achieve in pursuit of its mission. The first goal is to increase AAAG regional and statewide membership through strategic marketing targeting various stakeholders. The second goal is to develop a sustainable organizational structure and secure financial resources required to implement AAAG s mission. The third goal is to educate individuals by increasing awareness and knowledge about the use of alcohol and medication as adults age. The fourth goal is to train service providers to implement prevention or intervention best practices with aging adults using alcohol and medications. The fifth goal is to research, develop and maintain information resources on alcohol, medication and aging for dissemination to individuals and service providers. Measurables from 2012: There were 20 speaking engagements/exhibit fairs with a total 3,700 people in attendance and 2,400 pieces of literature regarding aging and alcohol were distributed.

College Conference History: Since 1986, ABC has sponsored the oldest, continuously running college conference on alcohol abuse prevention for college students in the country. The College Tour model was an expansion of College Conference, with a goal of reaching more students across the state. Mission: The College Conference/Tour mission is to provide students with the knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent underage drinking and impaired driving; and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion, and mutual respect. Description: College Conference/Tour partners with colleges and universities across the Commonwealth to host an event that focuses on promoting healthy choices (zero alcohol tolerance/ responsibility), social responsibility, collaboration, and leadership. Measurables from 2012: College Conference/Tour was in its 26 th year and held a College Tour at Norfolk State, Longwood and George Mason. 413 student leaders attended and received training and motivation to take back to their campuses.

Governor s Office of Substance Abuse Prevention History: The Governor's Office for Substance Abuse prevention (GOSAP) is authorized under Section 2.2-118 of the Code of Virginia, enacted by the 2000 Virginia General Assembly in order to "to assist in the coordination of the substance abuse prevention activities of the Commonwealth, review substance abuse prevention program expenditures by agencies of the Commonwealth, and determine the direction and appropriateness of such expenditures." The Governor s reorganization of the executive branch of state government (House Bill 1291) states The responsibility for the administration of a substance abuse prevention program transfers from the Governor to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Mission: The mission of the Governor s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention is to support positive youth development by providing strategic statewide leadership, fostering collaboration and the sharing of resources at all levels, and providing tools and training to practice evidence-based prevention to reduce the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse and its consequences. Description: GOSAP promotes collaboration among state and local agencies, organizations, coalitions, and faith communities that address prevention. It also prioritizes, coordinates, and leverages Virginia's prevention resources to improve efficiency. Measurables from 2012: GOSAP was transitioned to VA ABC and Substance Abuse Awareness Vital for Virginia s Youth (SAVVY) was created, two SAVVY Expos, which yielded approximately 350 participants, were held where professionals, parents, and students came together to share information and prevention efforts.

Manager s Alcohol Responsibility Training History: MART was started in 2003 as a direct effort to ensure consistent training amongst licensee managers and increase compliance with the law, over selling, and selling to underage. Mission: This is a training to help licensee managers become more responsible and to better understand Virginia laws and regulations. Description: MART trainings are held regionally on a quarterly basis and are conducted by ABC Special Agents from the region. Participants receive training on responsible service and Virginia laws and regulations. Measurables from 2012: 21 classes were held across the Commonwealth and 357 licensee managers were trained.

Miss Virginia School Tour History: VA ABC began sponsoring the Miss Virginia School Tour in 2010 as a method to reach students with a prevention message that was inspiring and motivating. Mission: The mission of the VA ABC sponsored Miss Virginia School Tour is to reach elementary and middle school students with a message of alcohol prevention, healthy decisions, and the importance of parents talking to their children about these topics. Description: Miss Virginia travels across Virginia to Elementary and Middle Schools spreading a message of her choosing around the platform of health, wellness, and prevention. During her visits, Miss Virginia also shares VA ABC s Dominion Dog activity book with students and teachers. Measurables from 2012: Miss Virginia visited 14 cities in Virginia and spoke to 6,732 students about health and prevention. Through the Miss Virginia Pageant, 2,000 people learned of VA ABC s sponsorship of Miss Virginia and their education and prevention initiatives.

Project Sticker Shock History: In 2002, VA ABC adopted Project Sticker Shock from PA ABC in order to combat social providing across the state. Mission: This is a community awareness program designed to educate those persons 21 years of age or older who might illegally purchase alcohol and provide it to minors. Description: Supplies are provided to community groups so that they can organize an effort to decrease social providing. The event includes stickers being placed on alcohol packaging reminding buyers to not provide to minors and is usually in conjunction with a press event to help raise awareness. Measurables from 2012: There were 35 Project Sticker Shock programs initiated from community coalitions or prevention groups this past year.

Educational Materials History: Since the inception of ABC Education in 1995, educational materials have been developed and distributed. Mission: To provide educational materials about alcohol prevention and education. Description: Brochures, posters, training DVDs, and public service announcements are developed and distributed to individuals and groups including licensees, different age groups, parents, and the general public. Measurables from 2012: Approximately 75,000 pieces of educational literature were distributed and a PSA about domestic violence was made in coordination with the Governor s office.

Responsible Sellers and Servers: Virginia s Program History: RSVP was started in 2003 as a direct effort to ensure consistent training amongst licensed sellers and servers and to increase compliance with the law, over selling, and selling to underage. Mission: This training is to ensure sellers and servers are prepared to follow Virginia laws in service and sale of alcohol. Description: RSVP trainings help sellers and servers become more responsible and to better understand ABC laws, rules and regulations. The training is for clerks, cashiers, wait staff and other "front line" employees. Measurables from 2012: 83 classes were held across the Commonwealth and 1,398 sellers and servers were trained.

Virginia College Alcohol Leadership Council History: ABC and Virginia college/university health educators have worked closely together since 1986. The Virginia College Alcohol Leadership Council was formed in 2000 to formalize leadership on college conference planning and other relevant initiatives for colleges and communities. Mission: The Virginia College Alcohol Leadership Council (VACALC) is a statewide professional affiliation group addressing alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) issues on the college campus. Description: VACALC offers leadership and professional advice regarding the prevention of high risk, hazardous ATOD-related behavior through collaboration, education, support, networking, mentoring, and advocacy. VACALC promotes science-based and innovative strategies to achieve healthier and safer college communities. Measurables from 2012: VaCALC membership is at 148 individuals representing 40 colleges/universities and 11 agencies/non-profits. In 2012, VaCALC held a Spring workshop at University of Virginia with 40 attendees, a summer retreat at Graves Mountain Lodge with 28 attendees, a fall workshop at University of Richmond with 35 attendees, and a winter strategic planning meeting with 7 attendees.

Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project History: YADAPP began in 1984 as a partnership between the Virginia Department of Education (DOE), the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services, (now the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, DBHDS), and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since 1995, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has partnered with other agencies to produce YADAPP. From 2002 to 2009, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services' (DCJS) Virginia Center for School Safety served as lead coordinator. In 2009, Virginia ABC became lead coordinator for YADAPP and owner of YADAPP. Mission: The YADAPP mission is that since high school students are primarily influenced by their peers, they have the capacity to become positive leaders in preventing violence and the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among youth. YADAPP's mission is to empower Virginia's youth to assume positive peer leadership roles in their schools and communities through the implementation of youth-led action plans. YADAPP seeks to develop youth leadership in order to further substance abuse and violence prevention efforts at the state, regional and local level. Description: This is a youth leadership program empowering teens to become involved in keeping their schools and communities alcohol and drug free. Each year YADAPP holds its summer leadership conference for hundreds of high school students and adults. Students at YADAPP have an opportunity to listen to nationally acclaimed motivational speakers, participate in workshops and create plans to solve alcohol and drug-related issues in their schools and communities. Measurables from 2012: 18% of youth participants from 2011 applied for leadership positions in 2012. Ultimately, 125 student leaders worked on YADAPP in 2012, which brought in 75 teams comprised of 375 students and adults. In 2012, www.yadapp.com received 41,888 hits and the Facebook page had 855 likes.

Future Plans Incorporate technology into programming Online training for licensees Social media Increasing accessibility Updating website Marketing campaign to customers and partners Needs assessment Multicultural Military