During last week’s “State of the State” address, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced that the West Virginia Game Changer program had entered into a partnership with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
As one of the most successful substance misuse education and prevention programs in the state, West Virginia Game Changer is also thought to be the largest public-private coalition of its type in the nation. And as Hazelden Betty Ford is one of the oldest and most celebrated recovery foundations in the world, the partnership between these two non-profit organizations presents unlimited potential for the youth of the Mountain State. Then on Tuesday, Feb. 16, the governor’s office announced that the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute had joined the partnership, making the collaboration even stronger.
“I’ve said many times that our kids are the greatest treasure we have in West Virginia, and we need to do everything in our power to combat substance use from the classroom to help ensure our children the brightest future possible,” Justice said, at the time of the announcement. “I thank WV Game Changer, the Drug Intervention Institute and Hazelden Betty Ford for joining forces and working with our school systems to make a powerful difference for the next generation of West Virginians.”
Additionally, it was announced on Tuesday that the BARR Centre (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) a nationwide non-profit dedicated to best practices in education, would be collaborating with the partnership, as well.
According to a statement released by the governor’s office, “(the partnership) is developing a plan to bring a new, comprehensive, evidence-based approach to substance use prevention to students and schools throughout the state.”
The intention is to join this new prevention initiative with West Virginia Game Changer’s successful peer-to-peer approach to positively impact all of the Mountain State’s 283,000 students.
“Coupled with Governor Justice’s unequivocal support as Head Coach of West Virginia Game Changer and our good fortune to enter into this partnership with the world-renowned Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and others, there is no doubt we will indeed Change the Game in West Virginia and the nation with cutting edge, evidence-based prevention programs we will be offering to students of every age,” said Joe Boczek, executive director of West Virginia Game Changer.
Mark G. Mishek, president and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, said of the partnership:
“In this challenging period in our nation’s history, students, teachers, families and schools are experiencing significant stress and strain, which is increasing risks for substance use, mental health issues and negative educational consequences for young people. A comprehensive, evidence-based focus on education and prevention is so important to helping keep students on positive trajectories and identifying those who need help and direction early on, so that chronic, lifelong mental health and substance use disorders and other negative outcomes do not occur.”
“The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute is honored to partner with W.Va. Game Changer and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation to implement evidence-based programming aimed to combat substance misuse for students throughout West Virginia,” said Dr. Susan Bissett, president of the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. “The partnership complements our current educational programming and is aimed at helping students make good choices by providing them a thorough education on substance use disorder.”
And Angela Jerabek, founder and executive director of the BARR Center said, “We [] are excited for the opportunity to reach even more students through the first statewide implementation of the BARR model. Our tagline says it all: ‘Same students. Same teachers. Better results.’ We look forward to partnering with the state on their increased focus to help each and every student succeed by using relationships and data to create resilient, healthy and compassionate leaders of tomorrow.”
During his Wednesday, Feb. 17 coronavirus response media-briefing, the West Virginia Daily News had the opportunity to ask Gov. Justice how his experience as a basketball coach in Greenbrier County has prepared him for his role as head coach of West Virginia Game Changer, and how successful this new partnership can be now that students have returned to in-person learning.
In response to the question, the governor offered some lighthearted protest.
“I appreciate the question, but listen, [] this is my twenty-first-year at Greenbrier East and I’ve almost won 500 games,” Justice began. “Limited success, what are you talking about? I mean, for crying out loud,” Justice said, with a laugh. “Now, six of those years I coached the boys and the girls at the same time, but I’m just teasing. I’ve had a lot of great help. I love the kids and I love being with them. [] Other than my family, I really enjoy my time with the kids. [] I want them to be able to achieve and do goodness.”
Justice further said, “But it’s been a real honor to be the head coach of Gamer Changer. [] Joe Boczek is doing unbelievable great work there. If you’ll just step back and look at all the goodness that’s going on in our school systems with Communities in Schools [] we’re touching 49,000-kids now in 29-counties. [] I’m gonna tell you, this program, Communities in Schools, is absolutely the best of the best. Game Changer absolutely addressing this situation lets us get ahead of the game, and addressing this situation with substance abuse and all the different problems that comes with that. I think the whole Game Changer’s network is just doing that, and it’s changing the game. What an honor it is to be their head coach. I just think if we continue with the Drug Intervention Institute and the Hazelden Betty Ford group and all the Game Changer stuff that’s going on, and all those that are in West Virginia that are trying to make a difference in children’s lives, we’ll make it happen.”
Justice concluded his statement with more lighthearted protest.
“But I don’t know about this partial success you’re talking about, I don’t know if I agree with that.”
The West Virginia Daily News will provide updates regarding West Virginia Game Changer and their collaborative partnership with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the BARR Center and the Drug Intervention Institute as additional information becomes available.
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