Regional Prevention Center
Our Services
The Kentucky River Regional Prevention Center (RPC) plans and promotes comprehensive substance use/abuse, suicide, violence, bullying, and homelessness prevention services in its eight-county region, and promotes mental health.
The RPC employs three Certified Prevention Specialists. Our staff assists individuals and groups in developing prevention programs that will encourage healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Our prevention specialists also provide presentations, education and training programs, and information on substance use/abuse, suicide, violence, bullying, homelessness, and mental health, as well as consultation services.
Our primary objective is to empower communities to implement policies at the local level that will have a positive and lasting effect on the community environment, thereby reducing the harmful consequences of the illegal use and abuse of substances.
We provide an array of coordinated services to accomplish our mission, including:
Community Prevention Coalitions
The goal of the prevention coalitions is to increase public awareness and involvement in alcohol and drug prevention programming. The RPC facilitates twelve coalitions covering eight counties: Breathitt KYASAP Local Board; Breathitt UNITE Coalition; Knott Drug Abuse Council (KDAC); Lee KYASAP Local Board; People Encouraging People Coalition (PEP); Leslie Drug Awareness Council; Letcher ASAP; Owsley Drug Awareness Council (OCDAC); Perry KYASAP Local Board; Perry UNITE Coalition; Wolfe KYASAP Local Board; Wolfe UNITE Coalition
Regional Alcohol and Drug Information Services
The RPC serves as a primary source of drug information for all communities in the region. Services include a resource library, telephone information, and the distribution of printed materials and audiovisuals.
KY-ASAP Local Boards
We offer Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (KY-ASAP) Local Boards in Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, and Wolfe counties.
Sources of Strength
The RPC provides training and technical assistance for Sources of Strength program. Sources of Strength is a middle and high school youth suicide prevention program that is designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. This program aims to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on.
Zero Tolerance Program
The RPC collaborates with the juvenile justice system to provide a diversion program for youth who have been cited for an alcohol or other drug related charge. The program provides education, screening, and referral services for the juvenile and parents. The program also serves as the legally-required program for youth/young adults under 21 who violate the under 21 DUIZero Tolerance law.
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)
The RPC staff provides QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training for suicide prevention. QPR is a brief educational program designed to teach "gatekeepers"--those who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, police officers) -- the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond by following three steps: question the individual's desire or intent regarding suicide, persuade the person to seek and accept help, and refer the person to appropriate resources. This 1- to 2-hour training is delivered by certified instructors in person or online, and it covers (1) the epidemiology of suicide and current statistics, as well as myths and misconceptions about suicide and suicide prevention; (2) general warning signs of suicide; and (3) the three target gatekeeper skills (i.e., question, persuade, refer).
Zero Suicide Initiative
A suicide prevention program available in all eight counties.
KY-Moms MATR
KY-Moms Maternal Assistance Towards Recovery (MATR) - formerly the KIDS NOW Plus program - serving pregnant women in all eight counties.
Community Development
Assists community residents in assessing the needs and strengths of that particular community and developing a prevention plan.
Youth Mental health First Aid
The RPC staff provides Youth Mental Health First Aid training designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5- step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Purple Star School Program
Purple Star Program is a non-profit Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) that is the national advocate for Purple Star Schools, a grassroots initiative that encourages states and school districts to establish Purple Star School programs. A Purple Star School designation lets military parents know, whether they are on active duty or in the National Guard and Reserves, that a school is dedicated to helping their child gain the educational skills necessary to be college-, workforce- and life-ready. It signals that a school supports the social and emotional wellbeing of military kids adjusting to new schools and the absence of a parent during deployment.
Youth Prevention Services
We offer an array of services aimed at preventing alcohol and other drug problems.
Adult Prevention Services
The RPC provides education and training for adults on the effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. Prevention services are provided at worksites, churches, schools, and other sites in the community. Emphasis is placed on training adults who are in positions to encourage and support youth in making healthy choices.
Too Good for Drugs
The RPC provides material, training, and technical assistance for the Too Good for Drugs curriculum. Too Good for Drugs is a universal K-12 prevention education program designed to mitigate risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; the lessons introduce/develop social and emotional skills, building the self-confidence young people need to make healthy choices and achieve success. Too Good for Drugs promotes positive, pro-social attitudes and behavior, while fostering healthy relationships, resistance to substance abuse and conflict, and resistance to negative peer pressure and influence.
Too Good for Violence
The RPC provides material, training, and technical assistance for the Too Good for Violence curriculum. Too Good for Violence promotes character values, social-emotional skills, and healthy beliefs in elementary and middle school students. The program includes seven lessons per grade level for elementary school (K–5) and nine lessons per grade level for middle school (6–8). All lessons are scripted and engage students through role-playing and cooperative learning games, small group activities, and classroom discussions. Students are encouraged to apply these skills to different contexts. Too Good for Violence High School (9-12), students learn how to navigate the challenges of social and academic pressures like making responsible decisions, managing stress and anger, reflecting on personal relationships, and resolving conflict peacefully. Interactive games and activities provide techniques for students to avoid participation in cyber-bullying and practice responsible digital citizenship.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
The RPC staff can provide Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for suicide prevention. ASIST is a workshop designed for members of all caregiving groups. Family, friends, and other community members may be the first to talk with a person at risk, but have little or no training. ASIST can also provide those in formal helping roles with professional development to ensure that they are prepared to provide suicide first aid help as part of the care they provide. The emphasis is on teaching suicide first-aid to help a person at risk stay safe and seek further help as needed. Participants learn to use a suicide intervention model to identify persons with thoughts of suicide, seek a shared understanding of reasons for dying and living, develop a safe plan based upon a review of risk, be prepared to do follow-up, and become involved in suicidesafer community networks. The learning process is based on adult learning principles and highly participatory. Graduated skills development occurs through mini-lectures, facilitated discussions, group simulations, and role plays.
Consultation & Technical Assistance
Provides information and advice on model prevention programs and strategies and how to tailor them to a particular environment.
Training & Education
Available for youth and adults on how to implement prevention strategies.
Education Programs & Presentations
We deliver educational programs and presentations on alcohol and other drug issues.
A Multimedia Resource Library
We provide a multimedia resource library with books, videos, documents, and periodicals on substance abuse and related fields. These materials are available for use on-site or for lending.
Dissemination of Materials
We disseminate pamphlets, posters, and other alcohol and drug prevention messages.
Opiod Overdose and Narcan Training
The RPC staff provides training that will cover opioid overdose prevention strategies, the signs and symptoms of overdose, and how to administer life-saving Narcan.
Hidden in Plain Sight
This workshop is for educators, prevention providers, coalition members, law enforcement, prosecutors, probation officers, school administration, treatment, counselors, and parents. This workshop covers alcohol and drug concealment methods and containers youth may use. This workshop provides visual aids for attendees to hold and become familiar with, aiding in becoming informed and then intervening if you think youth you serve or your child might be using drugs or alcohol. Addressing problem behavior early is important to preventing negative consequences of use including unsafe decision-making, car crashes and dependence.
Ongoing Efforts
We continue to make efforts to get accurate and helpful information to the public.
Additional Services
Other services include:
Regional Alcohol & Drug Information Services
The RPC serves as a primary source of drug information for all communities in the region. Services include a resource library, telephone information, and the distribution of printed materials and audiovisuals.
Get In Touch
The Regional Prevention Center provides speaking engagements for any group, when requested.Regional Prevention Center Contacts
Regional Prevention Center
Jamie Smith, Director
1-606-666-7591 ext. 7100
Additional Contacts
Karen Back - 1-606-666-7591 ext. 1918
Phillis Combs -1-606-666-7591 ext. 5008
Alicia Gaddis - 1-606-666-7591 ext. 7101
Tanya Brewer - 1-606-666-7591 ext. 7110
Janet Price - 1-606-666-7591 ext. 7102
We always love to hear from our KRCC clients and members of the community. Feel free to drop in or contact us during our business hours.
