The Seward Prevention Coalition serves as a framework for selection and implementation of prevention programs in the community of Seward. It is a community partnership with other agencies in the community to combine resources and expand interventions.

Members of the Coalition include: Seward Public Schools, SeaView Prevention Department, SeaView Behavioral Health, Rural Human Services, Qutekcak Native Tribe, Seward Public Health, Seward Parks and Recreation, Seward Youth Center, Boys and Girls Club, SeaView Early Intervention Program, Seward Public Library, and Seward Police Department.

 
Current Projects

Strengthening Families

The Strengthening Families Program for parents and youth age 10-14 is a parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum designed to prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthen parenting skills and strengthen family bonds. The program uses realistic videos, role-playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects.

The Strengthening Families Program is open to any parent in the community who is interested. There is no charge to participants and free childcare is provided for children under 10 years of age. The program is delivered in three hour sessions each week for seven weeks.

This program is offered by SeaView Community Services in partnership with Seward Police Department and Qutekcak Native Tribe.

Active Parenting Now

Active Parenting Now is a video-based education program for parents of 5- to 12-year-olds who want to improve their parenting skills. This program helps teach parents how to raise responsible, cooperative children who are prepared to meet the challenges of the teen years.

Sessions concentrate on how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child's self-esteem, and creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving. It also teaches parents to use natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and unacceptable behaviors.

The program features video vignettes, group discussion and a Parent's Guide which includes additional reading material, practice activities, and homework assignments that provide information and opportunities to practice using the skills learned in class sessions.

Active Parenting Now is open to any parent in the community who is interested. There is no charge to participants and free childcare is provided. Sessions are conducted in two and a half hour classes per week for 6 weeks.

Class Action

Class Action, an alcohol-use prevention curriculum for high school students, is designed to delay the onset of alcohol use, reduce use among youths who have already tried alcohol, and limit the number of alcohol-related problems experienced by young drinkers. Class Action uses interactive, peer-led sessions to explore the real-world legal and social consequences of substance abuse.

The curriculum consists of 8-10 group sessions in which students divide into teams to research, prepare, and present mock civil cases involving hypothetical persons harmed as a result of underage drinking. Using a casebook along with audio taped affidavits and depositions, teens review relevant statutes and case law to build legal cases they then present to a jury of their peers. Case topics include drinking and driving, fetal alcohol syndrome, drinking and violence, date rape, drinking and vandalism, and school alcohol policies.

This program is offered by SeaView Community Services in partnership with Seward High School. Students participate in their 9th grade Health class.