Prevention Specialist Treatment Counselor

Volunteer Parent

Friend Husband

Radio Show Host Gardener

Camper Dog Walker

Dishwasher Garbage Taker-Outer

Pooper Scooper Gas Tank Filler Upper

Find the hidden tiger in the photo

The mission of the Illinois Association for

Behavioral Health (IABH) is to advocate for

sound public policies in the behavioral health

field on behalf of clinicians, consumers, youth,

family members, and individuals in recovery whoare in need of services.

Operation Snowball is a prevention program focusing on

leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free

lives. Operation Snowball is founded on the belief that youth

and adults can make responsible decisions when provided

with factual information and an opportunity to develop an

understanding of one’s self and motivations.

Importance of Prevention Advocacy

FY18 Substance Abuse Prevention Services grants (SAPS) The Youth

Advisory Committee (minimum 12) which meets regularly should be

engaged in the following activities, at minimum, to ensure all services

and activities are relevant for the target population: (1) the

communication campaign(s), (2) National Prevention Week activities.

The Value of Youth in Prevention

Operation Snowball began in 1977

Initiated by youth who attended the

statewide Teen Institute and wanted to

impact their local community

The Operation Snowball model utilizes youth

as leaders deliver information and

inspiration on a peer-to-peer level

Operation Snowball History

All Generalizations Are False

Our Perspective is Shaped By Our

Culture and Family

We polish up, simplify, and romanticize

the past

No one likes to be told: “You’re Doing

It Wrong”

All Generalizations Are False

Our Perspective is Shaped By Our Culture

and Family

We polish up, simplify, and romanticize the

past

No one likes to be told: “You’re Doing It

Wrong”

Can you name all 26 brands?

Can you name all 26 brands?

Promotion throughout all phases

Biology has a stronger

influence over the

development of problem use

Environment plays a greater

role in initiation of use

Through the development of leadership skills,

Operation Snowball shall be a youth and adult

partnership, providing awareness and prevention of

alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, while

encouraging healthy decision-making in an active

‘Community of Caring’.

Operation Snowball Mission Statement

Currently there are over 70 Chapters in Illinois,

5 in nearby states, and 30 in Lithuania

In 2016, over 14,500 students in Illinois

attended a local Operation Snowball event

Events usually are one or two day retreats that

have an experiential component for youth to

internalize and reflect on the information given

during the retreat

Develops self-awareness and self management

skills to achieve school and life success

Use social awareness and interpersonal skills

to establish and maintain positive relationships

Practice decision-making skills and

responsible behaviors in personal, school and

community contexts

CGTI

July 16 – 20, 2017

Held at EIU

7th

– 12th

Grade

How Do Teens Perceive

Their Environment?

Positive

Or

Negative?

B/W

Or

Gray?

Perceptions:

Who’s Right?

New At This

Mastery of Skills

Thrive vs. Survive

Safe, Healthy, Happy

Strive Towards Goals – Want a Future

Feel Protected and Want to Protect

Want to be Unique but Want to Fit In

Covey’s Internalized Principles

and Patterns of Behavior

KnowledgeSkills

Desire

Steps of Operation Snowball

• Chapter Membership

• Adult Sponsors

• Recruit Youth Leaders

• Diverse Population

• Train Youth Leaders

• Facilitation Skills

• Prevention

• SPF

• Plan With Youth Leaders

• Utilize Local Data

• Appeal to Universal Pop.

• No Scare Tactics

• Engaging and Fun

• Opportunities to Process

The Illinois Youth Survey

Prevention First Inc. – Springfield IL

www.prevention.org

Operation Snowball

www.operationsnowballinc.org

The Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute

www.cg-ti.org

EYPC and SADD

Let’s look at a few photos…

Tell me what you see…

…and sometimes

we miss what is

different

Include, Engage, Ownership

Positive Influence/Environment

Here and Now

Community Policies & Family Policies

Understand Consequences (short-term)

Focus on career/college/independence: the pathways and roadblocks

Direct. Clear. Swift

The Generation Gap…

Not much of a Gap is it…

Most teens state

parents are big

influence on them

(they just don’t say it

out loud).

25

18

21

Complex interactions among biological,

social, cultural, and environmental

factors also evolve as a teen evolves

therefore solutions may have to be

complex (multi-dimensional) and

constantly evolving to address the issue

OperationSnowball, Inc

Individual

EnvironmentAgent

Poor Preparation

Too Much, Too Fast

Connectedness

Outside Stressors

Money Concerns