My Future Initiative Sponsored By: Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services, Behavioral Health Services Division Alcohol and Drug Services MyFI Hosted by: Center for Collaborative Planning Public Health Institute

Who We Are We are a community coalition, supporting girls’ leadership development and youth engagement to prevent youth substance abuse, especially among girls, in Sacramento County.

Our Mission We seek to prevent alcohol and substance abuse among teenage girls through partnership with local organizations, outreach, education, advocacy, and the provision of safe and positive environments.

Why MyFI Matters Both nationwide and in Sacramento County, teenage girls are drinking more alcohol than boys! Sacramento County FemaleMale 0 days a month 1-2 days a month 3-9 days a month days a month 20 + days a month 0 days a month 1-2 days a month 3-9 days a month days a month 20 + days a month 7 th Grade 87.4%8.6%1.8%0.6%1.6%88.2%7.5%1.8%0.9%1.7% 9 th Grade 73.6%14.9%6.8%1.9%2.7%78.2%11.6%4.9%2.8%2.5% 11 th Grade 66.7%18.9%9.1%3.2%2.1%66.0%16.6%9.9%3.7%3.8%

Why MyFI Matters Girls turn to alcohol and drugs for more serious reasons Girls are more likely to use drugs and alcohol to avoid problems or relieve stress, whereas boys tend to use drugs and alcohol to make socializing easier, or to experience a rush. Alcohol and drugs place girls at higher risk for health problems Women metabolize alcohol differently than men. When women and men of the same body weight drink the same amount of alcohol, women reach higher peak blood alcohol levels. Women drinkers are at higher risk for certain medical problems, including liver, brain, and heart damage, than are men who drink comparable amounts. Adolescent girls who use drugs or alcohol are at higher risk of developing depression, addictions, stunted growth, and breast cancer. Substance abuse leads to more risky behavior Girls who use alcohol or drugs are more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease or become pregnant.

What We Do Provide opportunities for girls ages to: Develop leadership skills Learn about substance abuse and how to prevent it Bond with healthy peers and adults Create change in their communities Support community and youth-based efforts to prevent substance abuse We do this by meeting regularly and engaging youth and adult members in activities such as: Developing public speaking skills Developing community engagement and advocacy skills Participating in community volunteer opportunities Developing, awarding and monitoring community grants

Accomplishments Established coalition Selected and funded 10 grantees working on community based, youth-focused prevention projects Provided youth opportunities to bond with peers and adults by engaging in positive activities Developed and implemented grant funding process Developed and implemented community outreach strategies Developed leadership and confidence among girls Increased awareness about substance abuse among girls

Youth Grants

Substance Abuse Prevention Projects Center for Multicultural Cooperation Youth created a film about school climate and substance abuse. CLASSY, Inc. Two workshops held on crime and substance abuse for girls ages Over 50 youth attended each workshop. Greater Grace Family Support Held a one day event for girls ages and their parents. 200 people attended. Included workshops, toolkits, goal sessions, and a poetry contest. Lights for Tomorrow Teams of youth located at four schools created service learning projects related to substance abuse prevention. Oak Park Outreach Services Held teen substance abuse abstinence workshops presented by peers.

Substance Abuse Prevention Projects People Reaching Out Held four youth-led and planned substance abuse prevention workshops youth attended each workshop. Sacramento Unified School District Held weekly support group facilitated by youth and adult leaders. Sheriff’s Community Impact Program Held weekly club for teen girls who participated in fitness activities and discussed self esteem and substance abuse prevention. Sojourner Truth Museum Held weekly group for teen girls to learn how to knit while participating in substance abuse prevention talks and workshops. South Sacramento Coalition for Future Leaders Held four workshops for teens focused on arts, cooking, nutrition and prevention youth attended each workshop.

Questions Q. How do I get involved? A. Attend our meetings! Contact us for more info. Adult/youth partnerships are encouraged. Adults must bring one or more youth and youth must be accompanied by an adult. Youth membership is focused on girls ages Q. If I join, are there time commitments? A. Yes, meetings are held every other month on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. There may be also be additional volunteer opportunities, such as serving on committees. Q. If I can’t volunteer time, can I donate money? A. Yes! Checks can be made payable to Public Health Institute.

Questions Q. Does MyFI have any affiliate organizations? A. MyFI is hosted and staffed by the Center for Collaborative Planning, a center of Public Health Institute. Funding is provided by Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services, Behavioral Health Services Division, Alcohol and Drug Services Q. How does MyFI incorporate diversity and inclusiveness into it’s organizational structure? A. The coalition strives to engage its members equally, tapping into the strengths of youth and adults alike to accomplish its goals. Decisions are made by consensus. XX middle and high schools in Sacramento County are represented. Some participants represent agencies and faith-based organizations, and all are community members who want to make a difference.

Contact Us Center for Collaborative Planning st Street, Suite 360 Sacramento, CA or