Columbia County Public Health, in collaboration with Columbia Health Services and multiple community partners, recently completed a spring series of Bridges & Beyond: Youth Prevention Fair and Family Night events across local school districts.

The expanded series reached students and families in Rainier, Clatskanie, St. Helens, Scappoose, and Vernonia, offering substance use prevention education and cessation support. The expansion of these events was developed with input and guidance from Youth Era’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), ensuring that programming reflects a youth-led approach to prevention. Events featured guest speakers, engaging activities, and information about local resources.

“This year’s events provided students and families with valuable prevention and cessation tools,” said Haley Schimmel, Health Promotion Specialist for Columbia County Public Health. “We’re grateful for the many partners who helped make these expanded events possible.”

“This year's prevention fair was a great community collaboration. The Bridges & Beyond event gave voice to youth SUD prevention for parents and students,” said Leyla Duechle, Community Health Worker for Columbia Health Services. “As a community, we are more aware of youths’ needs around prevention and support. I am excited for next year’s events.”

In addition to Columbia County, prevention events were also held in Jewell, located in Clatsop County, where Columbia Health Services operates a school-based health center. Clatsop County Public Health and other local agencies assisted with these outreach efforts.

Community partners supporting this year’s prevention events included Columbia Health Services, Youth Era, Columbia Community Mental Health, The New Drug Talk Oregon, Clatsop County Public Health, and others.

The final event of the season was held on May 21 at Vernonia Schools, concluding this year’s multi-week series.

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Images:

1. Community partners together at Rainier's Youth Prevention Fair.
2. Students participate by adding to the "I AM ONE" banner, describing their “one choice” to be drug-free at Vernonia's Youth Prevention Fair.
3. Community partners together at St. Helens' Family Night Event.

Photography Credit: Leyla Duechle, Columbia Health Services