Holcomb Prevention and Education Services

2011 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Awareness Poster Contest!!

The goal of the 23rd annual Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Awareness poster contest is to encourage all students to value healthy lifestyles and think about the consequences of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. This contest is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health.

Thank you to all the schools/organizations
who submitted posters for the 2011 poster contest!
We received over 1,100 posters!

The 2011 ATOD Poster Contest Winners are...

K-2, 1st Place: Andrew Konieczny, Annunciation B.V.M. School
K-2, 2nd Place: Sabrina Smith, Coebourn Elementary School
K-2, 3rd Place: Mackenzie Serafino, Annunciation B.V.M. School
K-2, 4th Place: Anna O'Reilly, Annunciation B.V.M. School

3-5, 1st Place: Hannah Nguyen, PA Leadership Cyber Charter School
3-5, 2nd Place: Anna-Colette Haynes, Coebourn Elementary School
3-5, 3rd Place: Evan Rosenberg, Rose Tree Elementary School
3-5, 4th Place: Jimmy Ziegler, Rose Tree Elementary School

6-8, 1st Place: Lynn Dieu, St. Laurence School
6-8, 2nd Place: Morgan Smith, Norwood School
6-8, 3rd Place: Isabelle Rosini, Annunciation B.V.M School
6-8, 4th Place: Vinnie Caroselli, Main Street Elementary School

Best Overall: Halle Robinson, Russell Elementary School
Best Art: Mary Anne Young, Annunciation B.V.M. School
Best Message: Marissa Archacki, Notre Dane de Lourdes School

Congratulations to all of our Winners!

DCYC Summer Camp available for youth
going into 7th, 8th & 9th grades!

DCYC (Delaware County Youth Connection) is hosting a summer program that targets teens entering seventh, eighth and ninth grades! The summer program offers four week-long workshops that use evidence-based curricula and is split into two parts: 1 1/2 hours of programming and 1 1/2 hours of teambuilding or leadership adventure activity. Each week-long workshops is Monday – Friday from 1- 5 p.m. Studies show youth are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviors during these years including drug and alcohol use. Alternative activities focusing on leadership, community involvement, and increased family communication are protective factors that have been shown to increase positive behaviors. The cost of this summer program is only $25.00 per week-long session.

Click here to download a DCYC Summer Camp 2011 brochure!

For more information, please call us at 484-444-0412.

DCYC Summer Camp is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and
funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug and Alcohol.

Announcing SPORT!

What is SPORT?
SPORT is a health promotion program for adolescents and young adults to improve their physical fitness, nutrition, sleep habits, and avoid alcohol and drug use. It was developed and evaluated by researchers with funding from the National Institutes of Health.

What are the Main Components of SPORT?
The main components of SPORT include:
o A brief talk with a fitness specialist
o A series of 3 postcards mailed each week to parents/guardians that contain
fitness and health messages to help their son/daughter stay active and healthy.

What are the Benefits of Participating in SPORT?
Youth participating in SPORT benefit by receiving an innovative, new health promotion program aimed at increasing physical activity, improving healthy eating, enhancing sleep patterns, and delaying or reducing alcohol and drug problems among adolescents and young adults. This program may result in the achieving personal improvement goals, enhancing overall physical and mental health, and decreasing risks associated with experiencing social and personal problems, injury, illness, and death.

Does SPORT work?
Published research in scientific journals show that SPORT has resulted in increase in moderate and vigorous physical activity, reduction in alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana consumption, improved risk of protective factors associated with health behaviors, and may improve other health habits among participating youth.

SPORT is FREE to middle and high school youth
in Delaware and Chester County!

Interested in bringing SPORT to your school or organization?
We will send a trained Prevention Specialist to your site for FREE!!
For more information, please call Kate at 484-444-0412.

SPORT is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems
and funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Make Your Voice Heard &Encourage Change: Join DCYC!

Come and be a part of DCYC (Delaware County Youth Connection)!
A youth led, adult guided coalition for all Delaware County High School Students!

The mission of DCYC is for Delaware County youth to be connected, have a place to talk, make a difference in our community, and participate in fun alternative activities.

WHEN: Every Monday night from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Corner S.P.O.T. at Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems
126 E. Baltimore Ave. Media, PA 19063
(in Gayley Square across the street from Pinocchio's Pizza)

For more information on the new and improved DCYC program,
please contact Katie at 484-444-0412 or email her at: koneill@holcombbhs.org.

DCYC is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and
funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug and Alcohol.

Announcing Young Lungs At Play (YLAP)!

Young Lungs at Play (YLAP) is a health initiative funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Penn State Extension and the Health Promotion Council out of Westmoreland County. The initiative is designed to promote clean air and eliminate tobacco use at playgrounds, parks, daycares, YMCA's and other recreational areas that children may frequent. YLAP is currently being enforced in approximately 12 counties in central and western Pennsylvania. Cigarette littering is costly and dangerous to the health and well-being of children and the environment. Small children may ingest cigarette butts which contain filters that host all of the dangerous components of a cigarette. Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems is supporting YLAP through educating schools and communities about changing tobacco use policies/ordinances and disseminating YLAP signs. Help us make a healthy and informed decision so that our children can lead happy, healthy, productive lives!

For more information on this program, or if you'd like to get involved,
please contact us at 484-444-0412.

New Low Ropes Leadership Course!
Teamwork at it's best!

Would you like to develop leadership and team building capacity with your youth?
With your co-workers?

Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems Prevention/Education Dept. is offering a NEW Low Ropes Leadership Course as part of our prevention programming for Delaware County schools, communities, and organizations! Through a variety of activities, a trained Holcomb Prevention Specialist will teach participants the importance of teamwork, respect, and finding alternative ways to deal with any challenges they may face.

To schedule the Low Ropes Course for your organization,
or for more information about this program,
please call 484-444-0412.

The Low Ropes Leadership Course is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems
and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug & Alcohol Services.

Holcomb Prevention Crosses County Lines!!
Now serving Chester County!

Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems is proud to announce that they will now be offering Prevention services in Chester County. These services will be targeting Elementary, Middle, and High School students, as well as parents. Some parent and youth prevention programs will be also be available in Spanish to maximize participation.

For more information,
contact us at 484-444-0412!

Funding provided by the County of Chester, Department of Drug and Alcohol Services and PA Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

Featured Websites:

Tobacco-Free Delco - Here you will find lots of facts and resources to help you become and remain tobacco free.

Featured Website:

Project REACH is a not-for-profit program of Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. Project REACH provide licensed crisis intervention services to residents of Delaware County, in association with the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health. REACH is a part of a developed network of community-based agencies and services, both private and public.

Featured Website:

The Delaware County Suicide Prevention/Awareness Task Force is an active coalition of residents, community groups, schools and educators, non-profit organizations, county government agencies, counselors and employers working together to reduce the loss and suffering caused by suicide and suicidal behavior. 4Learn More