WeCanPROSPER: An Online Training Approach to Rural Behavioral Health Resilience and Resource Enhancement in a COVID-19 Context
This project leverages earlier RHSE-funded work on PROSPERing Step-by-Step, State-by-State (P2S), but adds supplemental online training that is innovative, timely and will expand P2S reach. P2S is an effort to scale up the only community-based delivery system designed specifically for Cooperative Extension and proven to prevent opioid misuse long-term (PROSPER).
P2S builds on unique partnerships among Extension, schools, and behavioral health organizations to deliver science-based programs and practices. In the current COVID-19 affected environment, P2S is ideal for expansion through research-based online training called WeCanPROSPER, designed to build capacity for resilience and enhance behavioral health resources. It uses a Train-Expand-Sustain approach to deliver resilience training and technical assistance to rural schools, youth, and parents, with the objective of developing readiness for P2S implementation. The primary project goal is to increase the number of rural youth and adults receiving science-based resilience training and enhanced behavioral health resources. This project will reach a total of 20 counties in 3 states, with an estimated population of up to 530,000 residents impacted. Key stakeholders in the 20 counties initially will receive training and an opportunity to develop Resilience Training Teams (RTTs) or Local P2S Teams in their communities. Ready communities are trained and supported through the PROSPER/P2S Network Organization's coaches and experts to develop sustainable plans for continuing science-based programs and practices in their communities.
Principal Investigator: Richard Spoth
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)