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NYC PRC

New York City Prevention Resource Center
About

Who We Are

NYC PRC logoThe New York City Prevention Resource Center (NYC PRC) is one of six regional Prevention Resource Centers in New York state. NYC PRC supports prevention coalitions and providers in NYC's five boroughs by offering training and technical assistance to combat substance misuse and drive positive community change. In areas without coalitions, NYC PRC works to establish them in partnership with local leaders. Collaborating with the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports and NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the team includes Director Ronni Katz, community development specialists Chevar Francis and Milo Ward, and Fatima Sindhu, who works with NYC Partners of Prevention.

What We Do

Program Support: We provide step-by-step instructions and support on creating new community coalitions and revitalizing existing coalitions.

Technical Assistance: We inform and educate new and existing coalitions on the stages of coalition building and assist with key activities.

Training: We arrange and facilitate mandated training to coalitions and prevention providers on the Strategic Prevention Framework, cultural responsiveness, evidence-based curriculum, and more. See trainings for more information.

 

About PRC Staff

Ronni Katz, Director

Ronni Katz began working in the field of prevention in 1989 at John Adams High School in New York City, serving as the substance abuse prevention intervention specialist. In 1997, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and started her own recovery journey. In 2003, she became the substance misuse coordinator for the City of Portland Public Health Division and helped start one of the first Overdose Prevention Projects in the country. She moved back to New York City in 2014 to become director of the New York City Prevention Resource Center. In addition to her work in prevention, Ronni is a musician and a dedicated lover of dogs. She lives on Long Island with her wife and their 2-year old Chocolate Border Collie, Hannah.

Chevar Francis, Community Development Specialist 

Chevar Francis is a community development specialist (CDS) at the New York City Prevention Resource Center. Before becoming a CDS, Chevar worked in youth development for more than 14 years. For 12 years he served as a program director, developing programming for elementary, middle school, and high school students around self-expression and social justice. His middle school program spearheaded the first Children’s Aid Iron Go! Chefs competition. In addition, he ran an active youth council that addressed community issues and supported children, parents, and teachers in advocacy and community development. Chevar is an avid photographer, foodie, former clothing designer, and passionate about the arts.

Milo Ward, Community Development Specialist

Milo Ward (he/him, they/them) is a community development specialist for the New York City Prevention Resource Center. He has been working in the field of substance misuse prevention for four years and previously worked in HIV prevention serving LGBT communities in Brooklyn. Milo holds a bachelor’s degree in critical social thought from Mount Holyoke College and is currently pursuing his MPH at the CUNY School of Public Health.

Fatima N. Sindhu, NYC POP Community Development Specialist (SOR-funded)

Fatima Sindhu is a community development specialist for New York City Partners of Prevention (NYC POP). She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and public policy. Her interests include substance use prevention and eliminating health disparities.

 

NYC Coalitions

NYC Substance Misuse Prevention Coalitions

Prevention Resource Centers aim to identify existing coalitions, offer training to strengthen and sustain them, and support the development of new coalitions in underserved areas. They provide guidance on the Strategic Prevention Framework to enhance community-led prevention efforts.

The NYC Prevention Resource Center works with community prevention coalitions in all five boroughs, including:

Training

Throughout the year, NYC PRC offers a variety of trainings for coalitions and prevention providers. Please see the drop-down menu to learn more about the trainings we provide. To receive notice about upcoming trainings, please contact us for more information.

Filter by audience

  • Capacity Building

    This training focuses on helping coalitions work on capacity building by guiding them through outreach to the 12 sectors.

  • Community Scans

    In this training, we provide an overview of how to conduct a community scan using the community scan tally and observation sheet created by the PRC.

  • Cultural Responsiveness

    The Cultural Responsiveness training teaches prevention professionals strategies for working in diverse communities. By the end of the training, participants will be able to identify the five stages of the cultural competence continuum. Participants will walk away from the training with the tools to be reflective of their own identities and be responsive to the diverse cultures they work with.

  • Environmental Change Strategies

    In this training, participants will get a better understanding of environmental change strategies and their three components - media, policy and enforcement. Participants will gain insight into how the three components work together, as well as ideas for activities for each component.

  • Ethics in Prevention

    Ethics in Prevention can help you make ethical choices in your work every day. This training describes the six principles in the Prevention Code of Ethics, illustrated by realistic examples designed to enhance your understanding of each principle. It also introduces a decision-making process to help you apply this code to a variety of ethical dilemmas.

  • Implementation

    This training helps coalitions work through the implementation step of the Strategic Prevention Framework.

  • Introduction to Intersectionality

    We tend to look at people through their specific demographics, often overlooking how multiple oppressions affect their outcomes in life. The term “intersectionality” was coined in 1989 by American legal race scholar Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw. By applying an intersectional lens to collecting and analyzing data, we are able to take a multi-dimensional approach to prevention work. This training covers the Intersectionality framework, how it is connected to health disparities, and how to apply it to prevention strategies.

  • Needs Assessment

    This training helps coalitions learn about how to conduct a community needs assessment in their communities.

  • Podcasting for Prevention

    Podcasting for Prevention teaches participants the ins and outs of developing a podcast. From equipment to sound editing and best practices, this training draws on lessons learned from the PRC’s podcast, The Solution: Nothing Changes if We Change Nothing. Participants will gain knowledge on the world of podcasting and walk away with the tools to create their own prevention podcast.

  • Policy in Prevention

    Policy in Prevention helps coalitions learn the importance of policy in prevention, as well as strategies for policy advocacy. Participants will learn the different types of policies that can be implemented and advocated for in the prevention world.

  • Putting the POP in Prevention

    During the pandemic, New York City prevention coalitions came together to form NYC Partners of Prevention (POP) a collaboration of 15 coalitions, providers, and agencies that created two weekly prevention-related social media posts, and provided resources and information through multiple platforms. It allowed NYC prevention partners to have one unified voice during a time when the city that never sleeps was in a deep slumber. Four years later, NYC POP has evolved into the NYC Prevention Council. Participants will learn how to create and implement prevention social media strategies that resonate with diverse populations across a major urban city.

  • So You Want to Start a Coalition

    This training provides a brief overview of substance misuse prevention and the stages of the Strategic Prevention Framework to help interested groups start their own prevention coalition.

  • Strategic Prevention Framework Application for Success Training (SAPST)

    The goal of the SAPST is to develop the basic knowledge and skills needed by substance misuse prevention practitioners to plan, implement, and evaluate effective, data-driven programs and practices that reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness. It is for entry-level prevention practitioners working in states, jurisdictions, tribes, and communities, and is also appropriate for professionals working in related fields, e.g. treatment, mental health, etc.

  • Sustainability

    This training provides a brief overview of sustainability strategies for community coalitions.

Podcast

The Solution: Nothing Changes if We Change Nothing

The Solution is a podcast that explores youth and young adult substance misuse prevention by sharing the latest news, trends, and coalition success stories. It provides practical tips for organizing effective coalitions and aims to inspire community members to drive meaningful change in their neighborhoods.

  • Say Yas to RAAM

     Join Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis as they discuss primary prevention strategies to support LGBTQIA+ youth in New York City. They’ll also share insights from NYC POP's recent Town Hall, Can We Talk About Cannabis?, moderated by Nyrie Smith (they/them), coalition coordinator and supervisor for the Brooklyn Youth Against Substance Misuse (YAS) Coalition.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Nyrie Smith, coalition coordinator & supervisor for Brooklyn Youth Against Substance Misuse Coalition

  • The Passion Network

    Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis discuss their passion for supporting individuals in New York City who are on the path to success after facing struggles with substance misuse. They are joined by guests from the Citywide Addiction Support Network including Project Manager Jessica Boylanand and Implementation Consultant Chris Copeland.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Jessica Boylan, M.Ed, project director, Coordinated Behavioral Care; Chris Copeland, implementation consultant for Citywide Addiction Support Network

  • Host To Host Part 5: Staying Positive in a Negative World

    Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis share their thoughts through a prevention lens on navigating election anxiety, bullying, and how to parent through it all.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis

  • Prevention is Home

    We congratulate Milo Ward on his new role and welcome our newest team member, Fatima Sindhu.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Milo Ward, community development specialist, NYC PRC; Fatima Sindhu, community development specialist, NYC POP

  • Pure Genius

    Willie the Genius joins Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis in a discussion about their personal life journeys.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Willie The Genius

  • 4th Annual Holiday Pop in Drop In

    Join guests from the field of prevention as they discuss acts of kindness.

    Happy holidays!

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Milo Ward; Nanor Arakelian; Dawn Insanalli-Rodriguez; Mia Saunders; Makeda Andragachew; Conner Wieschenberg; SSG Oscar Ponce; SSG Maiya Mohammed; Samantha Vincent; Brittany Harris; and Nyrie Smith

  • Host To Host Part 4: Giving Flowers

    Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis share the importance of giving someone their flowers and explain how the act is connected to prevention.

    "Talk. They Hear You."® Underage Drinking Campaign | SAMHSA

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis

  • Tranq (Xylazine) Part 3: Keeping the Hope Alive

    Join Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis as they have a discussion with two peer support members about the effects of Xylazine (Tranq).

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Evelyn Morales, peer worker, Citywide Addiction Support Network; Troy Boze, recovery service coordinator, Education Alliance

  • A Place to Go to Thrive

    Toni Smith joins the podcast to talk about the landscape in drug policy.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Toni Smith, New York State director, Drug Policy Alliance

  • Tranq Part 2: Boots on the Ground

    Ronni Katz and Chevar Francis discuss the effects of Xylazine (Tranq) with two peer support members.

    Host:
    Ronni Katz, Chevar Francis
    Guest:
    Christopher Kelly, program coordinator, Parc Bronx/Queens program coordinator, Citywide Addiction Support Network; Jesus Hernandez, PARC Bronx
NYC POP

Who We Are

NYC POP LogoThe NYC Partners of Prevention (POP) is a SOR-funded multidisciplinary coalition that addresses substance misuse in creative, innovative ways. NYC POP coordinates, strengthens, and supports prevention efforts across New York City through collaborative policy work, education, and evidence-based interventions.

 

The purpose of the NYC POP 2024 Strategic and Action Plan is to enhance community awareness about underage retail access to cannabis and collaborate with youth, communities, and law enforcement to uphold current laws. To implement the plan, we will be:

  • Educating parents on the risks of underage cannabis use
  • Providing information to local community boards
  • Informing cannabis business owners of existing laws, regulations, and penalties related to underage cannabis use and sale to minors
  • Running a poster/sticker campaign to highlight stores that take the pledge to not sell to youth
  • Partnering with community groups to support enforcement efforts around unlicensed smoke shops

The recent town hall marked the first step in raising awareness. If you are interested in working with us to implement the plan, please contact Fatima Sindhu at fsindhu@ChildrensAidNYC.org.

History of NYC Partners of Prevention

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYC Prevention Resource Center met virtually with two coalition leaders in the Bronx to strategize on maintaining prevention initiatives amid lockdowns. This led to the formation of NYC POP, a partnership of NYC substance misuse prevention coalitions and prevention providers focused on creating messaging and sharing resources on prevention strategies. NYC POP has since evolved into a citywide consortium of prevention coalitions, providers, and community members with five working committees focused on marketing, data and research, youth engagement, and policy and environmental strategies. It is funded by OASAS through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.

Virtual Townhall

Contact

Contact Us

Ronni Katz, Director
rkatz@childrensaidnyc.org

Chevar Francis, Community Development Specialist
chevarf@childrensaidnyc.org

Milo Ward, Community Development Specialist
mward@childrensaidnyc.org

Fatima N. Sindhu, Community Development Specialist for NYC POP
fsindhu@childrensaidnyc.org

Address:

117 West 124th St.
New York, NY 10027

 

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