The Jackson County Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative (JCYSUP) was launched to better understand and address the factors influencing youth substance use in Jackson County, Colorado. Guided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), this work focuses on community strengths, prevention readiness, and local strategies that help youth thrive.
Jackson County is a small, rural frontier community with fewer than 1,400 residents. Geographic isolation, limited access to behavioral health services, and economic challenges shape the environment in which youth grow up. At the same time, Jackson County is known for its close relationships, strong community pride, and growing recognition of the importance of prevention and mental health support. During Year 1, Jackson County Public Health partnered with the Grand County Rural Health Network to conduct a community assessment through stakeholder engagement, interviews, youth input, and a community survey. The goal was to better understand community perceptions, norms, protective factors, and readiness for prevention efforts.
Key Findings from the Community Assessment
- Most adults hold protective beliefs about youth drinking.
Over 88% of survey respondents believe youth under 21 should not drink at all, yet only about one-third believe this is the most common attitude in the community. This gap suggests an important opportunity to highlight the healthy norms that already exist. - Community concern and readiness are high.
More than 80% of respondents rated youth substance use as a major concern, and 73% supported locally tailored prevention messaging focused on relationships, belonging, and shared accountability. - Adult modeling strongly shapes youth norms.
Across interviews and surveys, community members identified adult behavior and alcohol culture as key influences on youth attitudes, underscoring the importance of positive role modeling and consistent expectations. - Jackson County has strong protective factors to build on.
Trusted adults, extracurricular involvement, and strong community ties provide a foundation for mentorship, youth belonging, and prevention education.
Most adults want youth to grow up alcohol-free,
but many don’t realize how common that belief is.
Areas of Impact
The Community Profile and Readiness Assessment highlighted several key themes that will guide prevention efforts moving forward:
Positive Community Norms:
Survey results showed that most adults personally believe youth under 21 should not drink, but many underestimate how widely this belief is shared. This perception gap provides a strong foundation for a Positive Community Norms (PCN) campaign that highlights the healthy choices most families already support.
Adult Modeling and Community Culture:
Residents consistently identified adult behavior and local alcohol culture as influences on youth attitudes. Prevention efforts will focus on helping adults model healthy coping, recreation, and communication.
Family Engagement and Communication:
Families expressed a need for more tools and support to have open, age-appropriate conversations with youth about substance use and mental health.
Youth Belonging and Protective Factors:
Strong community ties, trusted adults, and high participation in extracurricular activities serve as protective factors. These assets provide a foundation for expanding mentorship, connection, and prevention education.
Jackson County is well-positioned to build on these strengths through multi-generational, community-led prevention strategies.
Updates
Jackson County Public Health has received Year 2 funding of this initiative through a five-year SAMHSA SPF-PFS grant to continue prevention planning and implementation. Year 2 work will be community-led through the formation of the Jackson County Prevention Coalition. Please click here for the press release.
Key activities this year will include:
- Establishing the coalition and holding regular meetings
- Conducting a youth survey and youth focus group to better understand youth needs and perspectives
- Training coalition members in the SPF-PFS framework and Positive Community Norms
- Scanning existing community resources, activities, and gaps in youth engagement
- Developing the countywide strategic prevention plan that will guide long-term prevention efforts
Additional outreach and messaging will continue to keep the community informed and engaged.
History
In Year 1, Jackson County Public Health awarded more than $30,000 in direct support to 16 local youth-serving groups, including sports teams, 4H, clubs, and other programs that provide safe and positive spaces for young people.
The community assessment included:
- A stakeholder meeting with representatives from education, public health, faith, law enforcement, and youth-serving organizations
- Seven key informant interviews, including one youth perspective interview
- A community survey completed by 62 adults across age groups
Consistent themes across all data sources demonstrate strong community readiness and shared motivation to support youth well-being.
This assessment will not sit on a shelf—it will directly guide future prevention action in Jackson County.
Get Involved
Prevention is strongest when it is shaped by the community. The Jackson County Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative is built on the belief that healthy youth development happens through shared responsibility, strong relationships, and local leadership.
Community members, organizations, parents, and youth-serving partners are encouraged to get involved in the Prevention Coalition or future prevention activities. Your voice and perspective are essential as this work moves forward.
To learn more or express interest, please contact:
Jen Fanning, Consultant, Peak Strategy Solutions
📞 970-531-7887
📧 jfanning7680@gmail.com