GOALS
The Healthy Youth Central Area Network (HYCAN) program’s focus is to increase healthy youth development in Seattle’s Central Area through Prevention, Intervention, Community Building, and Youth Asset Development; building strengths in families, schools, and neighborhoods.
HYCAN is funded by the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI), a partnership of state agencies, counties, schools, and local prevention coalitions supporting communities in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse and its negative consequences.
Implementing the University of Washington School of Social Work Risk and Protective Factor Theory, program priorities are developed through data evaluation from surveys, anecdotal information from the community, and members' individual knowledge, identifying priority risk factors. Using this data these strategies are identified to increase these protective factors:
The Central Area
Seattle’s Central Area is located in the East-Central district of the city. Historically diverse, this area has been home to Jewish, Asian, Filipino, and African-American citizens. With a past designation of “redlining”, where racial minorities were restricted to purchasing properties in a specific geographic area, the African- American community made the Central Area their home, where they lived, worshiped, socialized, and remained in the area until the 1990s. Younger, mostly Caucasian families began purchasing homes due to their affordability and close proximity to amenities. Housing demand and costs increased, and, due to disparities in socio-economics, education, and employment opportunities, the majority of African American families were forced to relocate out of the Central Area, resulting in rapid gentrification and loss of community connectedness. In addition to gentrification, Central Seattle has been experiencing youth violence, criminal activity, and substance misuse issues. While there are disparities and disconnection, Central District citizens demonstrate remarkable resiliency and sustainability, and there is a fundamental commitment to healing the gaps, the inequities, and the misunderstandings.
Healthy Youth Central Area Network (HYCAN) focuses on this geographic area:
520 to the North
1-5 to the West
Lake Washington to the East
Massachusetts to the South
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), is a systemic community-based approach that aims to ensure that substance abuse prevention programs can and do produce results. The idea behind SPF is to use the findings from public health research along with the evidence-based prevention programs to build capacity within the States and the prevention field. This in turn will promote resilience and decrease risk factors in individuals, families, and communities. The SPF has sustainability and cultural competency as overarching areas for the 5-Step Framework:
1. Assess Needs Priority risk factors are identified, informed by the Healthy Youth, Community, and Coalition Surveys. Local conditions and community data from Network Coalition are additionally considered.
2. Building Capacity Community organizations with similar issues are engaged in cooperative efforts to address priority concerns and identify strategies to reduce risks. Neighborhood volunteer groups, community councils, local government representatives, and other area entities are also invited to support HYCAN goals and objectives by participating in the Network Coalition.
3. Plan Strategies that are targeted to reduce priority risk factors are evaluated and considered in the planning process. Relevant evidence-based programs/practices from the Athena Forum “Excellence in Prevention” recommendations, as well as other innovative practices, are selected as strategies to reduce risk and increase protection.
4. Implementation With the support of HYCAN’s Network Coalition, as well as community partner collaborations, strategies and programs are then implemented to target populations.
5.Evaluation Select programs and strategies are evaluated for effectiveness and reducing risk factors, informed by the annual and biennial surveys, feedback, and community-level change.
Our Team
Stephanie Tschida, PREVENTION COALITION NETWORK COORDINATOR
Stephanie comes to HYCAN with diverse experience in youth prevention and intervention initiatives. She was the Founding Executive Director of Panels for Progress, a non-profit organization positively empowering adjudicated youth through the creation of public art. As a member of the start-up team for Seattle Community Court, she helped to reduce chronic use of the criminal justice system for misdemeanor offenders through a national problem-solving justice initiative. In the heyday of youth gangs, she worked in several prevention initiatives to provide positive alternatives to negative behavioral activities.
Stephanie also served in the past, as a Seattle Public Schools ReEntry/Intervention Specialist at South Lake Alternative High School. Active as a community volunteer, she is the longtime chair of the East Precinct Advisory Council and is a member of the Central Seattle Neighborhood District Council.
Porter Ray, HIP-HOP 2 PREVENT TEACHING ARTIST
Meet Porter Ray, a humble musical prodigy hailing from the vibrant Central District of Seattle. Porter released 2 albums with Sub Pop and has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. In 2021, Porter embarked on a transformative journey as a teaching artist, joining forces with HYCAN. He became an integral part of our Hip Hop 2 Prevent program, which is grounded in evidence-based prevention methods. Through this initiative, Porter's innate talent and passion merge with his desire to empower others, particularly young minds, using the transcendent power of hip hop.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Lacey Lemon is a performing dance artist who specializes in rhythm tap. Lacey has grown up dancing at Northwest Tap Connection Dance Studio, training in various styles of dance including modern, ballet, house, and hip-hop. She is currently a teacher at Northwest Tap Connection and continues her training at Kollective8 and The Garden Dance Company. Lacey has performed with world renowned all-female tap band Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies, and continues to perform on various locally acclaimed stages such as the Paramount and The Moore Theatre.
Our Coalition
What is a Coalition?
The Healthy Youth CAN Coalition is a volunteer advisory coalition that works toward a common goal of building a safe, healthy, and drug-free community. Represented by community “sectors”, each member brings a unique perspective of the group they represent and are able to use their respective sphere of expertise and influence to advance HYCAN’s mission.
Sector reps meet monthly at HYCAN Coalition Meetings on the third Tuesday (with the exception of July & December).
Central Seattle Coalition and Community Sectors
Types of Sector Rep Groups Also Include:
Parent + Religious/Fraternal Organizations
Healthcare professionals: Center for Multicultural Health
School: Seattle World School
Youth- Serving organization: WAPI (Washington Asian-Pacific Islanders)
State/Local/Tribal Governments: Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle, Laura Jenkins
Substance Abuse Treatment: Central Youth and Family Services, Therapeutic Health Services
Civic Volunteer Sector Rep: Manny Apostol
The role of the coalition members is to support the program’s strategic plan, including:
Attending monthly meetings to share updates and ideas
Setting goals, objectives, and strategies
Develop and update the Annual Strategic Plan
Participating in Network Workgroups, collaborating with Coordinator to:
Plan the implementation of direct services, environmental strategies, and media campaigns
Conduct “Needs and Resource” Assessments
Evaluate both quantitative and qualitative data to inform program strategies and, activities
Determine youth prevention and school discipline policy changes
Help to organize and participate in an annual Key Leader Event
Participate in the annual Coalition Assessment Tool (CAT) survey
HYCAN Community Organizations
VISIT THE LINKS BELOW TO CENTRAL AREA COMMUNITY NETWORK ORGANIZATIONS
Garfield High School PTSA
African American Community Advisory Council
Seattle Parks and Recreation Teen Programs
EastPAC
Squire Park CC
CAYA