Join us!

SPIFFY is a community coalition, and our success is dependent on involvement by parents, teachers, youth, elected officials, faith communities, businesses, civic groups, youth groups, community agencies and citizens.

If you are interested in helping your community be a safer, more supportive place for young people, please get involved. You can join a committee, attend coalition meetings, volunteer at a specific event, or just stay updated (to join our e-mail list, click button in right column). For more information, contact the Coalition Coordinator.

Bi-Annual Full Coalition Meetings

Full coalition meetings occur twice/year, and are open to everyone. Partners get updates on data, trends and coalition activities. Successes are celebrated. Steering Committee members are elected, and coalition strategies and goals are reviewed and updated based on ongoing community assessments. Coalition meetings are also an opportunity for partners to network and discuss collaborative opportunities.

SPIFFY Steering Committee

The Steering Committee serves as governing body for the coalition and is responsible for overseeing the management of the coalition, and providing direction to committees, task forces and paid staff. The Steering Committee is made up of up to 12 voting members, two being Co-Chairpersons, and all are elected positions. Decisions are made by consensus when possible. The Steering Committee meets 9 times/year.

Committees

SPIFFY’s Committees are another great way for parents, youth, and community professionals to get involved in developing the Coalition’s prevention activities.

Parent Education Committee

SPIFFY’s Parent Education Committee develops programs and publications that provide helpful information to parents of children of all ages. This committee meets monthly.

The Youth Development Committee

SPIFFY’s Youth Development Committee develops programs and activities that engage, recognize and celebrate the creativity and hard work of youth across Hampshire County. All of the activities described above were initiated by the Youth Development Committee. We are looking for more people who care about the healthy development of youth to join our Youth Development Committee.

School Health Committee

The School Health Committee involves representatives from all schools participating in SPIFFY. Each year, the Committee determines what student data to collect, what tools or surveys to use, and how to utilize the information to better support students’ social and emotional needs.

Local Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Task Forces

SPIFFY’s community-based Task Forces are a great way for partners to help shape and carry out SPIFFY’s initiatives within specific Hampshire County communities. Currently, there are two active SPIFFY Task Forces, in Northampton and Easthampton.

Northampton Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force:

The Northampton Task Force, which started in 2008, meets bi-monthly at rotating sites throughout Northampton. Using local assessments and data, the task force sets specific goals and strategies to reduce underage drinking and drug use in Northampton. Working closely with Northampton High School and PTO, they developed a Safe Homes Directory, the PhotoVoice Project, and the Myth Busters Video. In addition they have been working with local police and Liquor Licensing Board on compliance checks and policy. Community members are always needed to strengthen the work of this task force.

Easthampton Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force:

The Easthampton Task Force has been meeting since June of 2009. As this Task Force has more recently gotten off the ground, it offers an excellent opportunity for parents, community professionals, youth and other residents to help develop SPIFFYss initiatives in Easthampton.

Amherst Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force:

SPIFFY is collaborating with the UMass Campus and Community Coalition (CCC) on local initiatives in Amherst and Hadley to Prevent Underage Drinking.