Mission
In 2020, with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Paterson Prevention Project was launched. Led by Dr. Ijeoma Opara, this project aims to reduce substance use, increase access to mental health services and improve mental health outcomes for Paterson youth. The project is a 5-year community-based study with a goal to use data to understand substance use patterns and mental health outcomes of Paterson youth. The overall goal will be to develop a prevention intervention for the City of Paterson that addresses substance use and provides mental health resources.
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The project plans to achieve this by conducting:
- Focus groups and individual interviews with eligible Paterson youth between the ages of 13-21 years old
- Brief online and in-person surveys with Paterson youth
- Neighborhood needs assessments to understand the influence of neighborhood characteristics on mental health and substance use
- Are you between the ages of 13-21 years old? Take our survey and receive a $10 gift card! bit.ly/PatersonPreventionProjectSurvey
Acknowledgments: This study is supported by the National Institutes of Health Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5OD029636)
Preliminary findings of The Paterson Prevention Project show that youth want to the following:
Community
• Youth advocacy
• Beautification of city
• Safety
Social Support
• Peers
• Teachers
• Families
Resources
• Access to mental health
• Peer prevention education
• Safe spaces for youth
WE ARE RECRUITING!
Are you between the ages of 13-21 years old and want to be a part of our focus group? We are conducting our youth focus groups and interviews now! Via zoom or in person. Click here to find out if you are eligible and a SASH Lab member will contact you with 24 hours:
Acknowledgments: This study is supported by the National Institutes of Health Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5OD029636); PI: IJEOMA OPARA)
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Andriana Herrera
Project Manager for Paterson Coalition against Substance Abuse, Montclair State University
Jim Walsh
Chief Operating Officer/ Director of Community Outreach of Oasis
Tenee Joyner
Program Coordinator for Municipal Alliance Prevention Program; City of Paterson
Cristina Pagan Barnes Lee
Director of Paterson Youth Services Bureau
Stephanie Drag
Director of The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources
Evelyn Pena
District Wide Community Outreach & Special Projects Coordinator Paterson Public Schools
Jada Fulmore
Director of Community Outreach for NJ Reentry
Dr. Robert J. Reid
Principal Investigator and Director of Paterson Coalition against Substance Abuse Montclair
Sharieff Ali Bugg
Executive Director of Growing in Grace Counseling Group
Zellie Thomas
Founder, Black Lives Matter Paterson
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
The youth advisory board consists of passionate youth that live either in Paterson or in the surrounding areas of Paterson. Our youth advisory board members review our study materials, engage in advocacy projects, and help us recruit youth who want their voices to be heard.
Ayden Ramos-Schneider
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
Fhameda Sultan
John F. Kennedy High School
Linda Rodriguez
Monmouth University
Nasser Eid
Yale University
Leidy Rodriguez
Monmouth University
We are looking for more representation of youth that live in Paterson and want to be a part of our advisory board. Must be between the ages of 13-21 years old and be available to participate in at least 2 meetings per month. Email patersonprevention@yale.edu for more information.