The Hispanic Alliance for Prevention Coalition (HAP) stands in Nassau County as a beacon of community engagement, solidarity, and collaboration, addressing the issue of substance use among Hispanic youth. Established in 2022, this initiative was born from a grant awarded to the YES Community Counseling Center by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). The coalition's mission is to improve the well-being of Hispanic youth aged 12 to 17 in Nassau County through prevention initiatives.
Hispanic youth and their families face health disparities that significantly contribute to the prevalence of substance use within this community, including language barriers, cultural differences, economic challenges, inadequate housing, and physical and mental health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the lives of Hispanic families and youth. Isolation at home, substantial reduction in human contact, disruption of routines and school activities, and minimal or no in-person access to mental health and substance use services contributed to increased exposure to and abuse of substances among Hispanic youth.
According to the 2020 census, over 164,000 residents of Nassau County speak Spanish at home. The lack of linguistic and cultural support further exacerbates these challenges, creating significant barriers for Hispanic families. The HAP Coalition aims to bridge these gaps, fostering a supportive environment where Hispanic youth and their families can access resources for a healthier life.
HAP offers, through its members, programs specifically designed to address these issues:
Community Education: Aims to engage local communities through events and activities to raise awareness about the problem and available resources.
School Partnerships: Collaboration with Nassau County public schools to integrate prevention programs and provide support to bilingual students.
Youth Leadership Programs: Empowering Hispanic youth by providing them with leadership training and community engagement opportunities.
Responsible Parenting Program: Available in English and Spanish to help parents improve communication with their children.
HAP is made up of a dedicated alliance of individuals representing 12 sectors of community activity according to the strategic intervention framework. Some of our members and allies include: YES Community Counseling Center, Hispanic Counseling Center, Hempstead School District, Levittown School District, Long Island Prevention Resource Center, Nassau County Legislature, Nassau County Police, Central American Refugee Center, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, BRIDGES, Levittown, NY The Family Partnership Program, Hicksville, Fidelis Care, S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, New York State Office for New Americans, Women’s Diversity Network, Harmony Healthcare, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Betty’s Breast Cancer Foundation, Levittown Community Action Coalition PACT, Partnership in Action Change for Tomorrow MTAC, Massapequa Takes Action Coalition, Safe Senior Prevention Coalition, Hempstead Prevention Coalition.
Through community engagement and collaborative efforts, the Hispanic Alliance for Prevention Coalition (HAP) is working to address these disparities and promote a brighter future for Hispanic youth.
Comments