Virginia Effective Practices Project (VEPP)
Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Project (YADAPP)
VIRGINIA EFFECTIVE PRACTICES PROJECT (1998-2001)
The Virginia Effective Practices Project (VEPP) was a collaborative initiative of the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Compensatory Programs and the Office of Substance Abuse Research at James Madison University. The project,
which began in 1998 and concluded in 2001, was designed to promote and support effective practices in youth substance abuse and violence prevention by focusing on two key areas:
1. Disseminating information on effective practices through "showcasing" events, a project website and newsletter, and other dissemination activities.
2. Providing highly individualized training and technical assistance to local school divisions in the implementation of SDFSCA Principles of Effectiveness.
Information on Effective Practices
"Showcasing" events focused on specific programs which have been demonstrated to be effective. These one-day events
were held in various regions of the state and offered a forum for networking and resource sharing.
The VEPP Website is a user friendly source of valuable information for prevention professionals with links to many prevention and evaluation resources.
The VEPP "Spotlight" is a quarterly newsletter which contains feature articles on effective practices and important updates on project activities.
VEPP makes these resources publications available: Local SDFSCA Advisory Council Primer, VEPP Program Planning and Evaluation Handbook, VEPP Spotlight Newsletter.
Evaluation Training and Technical Assistance
Highly individualized training in comprehensive prevention program planning and evaluation
was offered to local SDFSCA Coordinators. Training was provided by well qualified and experienced Evaluation Associates. SDFSCA Program Coordinators
had the opportunity to work with their own program needs assessments, goals and objectives, and evaluation strategies as part of training.
Following training, technical assistance was available as part of VEPP services. This technical assistance
was intended to provide the additional assistance needed to help SDFSCA Coordinators apply and implement improvements begun during training.
Virginia STARS Recognition Program
Exemplary SDFSCA programs were recognized and honored at an annual awards event. Virginia STARS demonstrated a positive impact on students and successfully incorporate Principles of Effectiveness into their programs.
Additionally, the VEPP was selected to partner with the newly established Governor's Office for Substance Abuse Prevention in the implementation of the revitalized statewide prevention system. The VEPP role focused on capacity-building, providing information, training and technical assistance to enable Virginia communities to implement prevention strategies which are science-based. The selection of the VEPP to partner with the Governor's Office, was, in large measure, based on the quality and effectiveness of the VEPP services to Virginia's Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act programs.
Virginia Effective Practices Project website may be accessed at:
http://www.jmu.edu/cisat/vepp/.
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YOUTH, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROJECT (YADAPP-1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
OSAR facilitated this popular summer youth conference for
four years. The 15th Annual YADAPP Conference was held at Longwood College mid July. The conference
was designed to accommodate 100 school teams consisting of 4 students and 1 adult sponsor. A statewide planning committee directed by the VA DOE
worked year-round to pull the conference together with nationally-known general session speakers, free-round workshops, communications and action planning tracks. The school teams developed an action plan to take back to their school and implement the following school year.
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