The OBHC Prevention program focuses on providing Okanogan County community members with evidence-based best practices that center on reducing underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) access and use in our county. Programs concentrate on youth and include parent/adult participation.

Prevention programs are made possible by the following funding sources: The Washington State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) and the Department of Commerce.

The Okanogan County Community Coalition selects prevention programs that address the following risk factors identified in the Okanogan County Strategic Plan for Substance Abuse, Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Aftercare Services: availability of ATOD, community laws and norms favorable towards ATOD use, and favorable parental attitudes towards problem behavior.

Current Prevention Programs include: 

Strengthening Families Program - a workshop for families with children ages 10-14 that is focused on improving family communication and strengthens bonding.

Ripple Effects- a software program based on research that has been proven to reduce problem behavior in youth by building on individual strengths, problem solving, and addressing the cause of the problem.

Community Trials Intervention-a community-based best practice program designed to change alcohol use and problems associated with alcohol use in all age groups through the application of environmental interventions.

The Okanogan County Drug Endangered Children’s Team (DEC), funded by Commerce and the WA State Meth Initiative, is responsible for providing Meth education to the community as well as other activities that address drug use and its impact on children.

Please contact Megan Azzano at 826-8483 or mazzano@okbhc.org for more information on OBHC prevention programs, the Okanogan County Community Coalition, and the Okanogan County DEC Team.