ESD 112 Awards First-Ever Prevention Training Scholarships To Rural Washington Leaders - 01/21/26
Vancouver, WA – ESD 112’s Prevent Coalition proudly announces this year’s Prevention Training Scholarship awardees, granting 14 rural community leaders across Washington funding to attend crucial training in mental health and substance use prevention education and cover certification fees for prevention credentialing.
Developed with support from the Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) and the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH), the program awarded nine applicants up to $1,000 each to cover training registration, travel, and lodging costs. An additional five recipients received funding for certification-related expenses.
This initiative, aimed at expanding access to essential prevention training, emphasizes equity, sustainable impact, and capacity-building in rural communities.
“We believe every community deserves access to the tools and training necessary to create a safe, healthy environment for youth,” said Joy Lyons, Director of Prevention at ESD 112. “These scholarships break down geographic and financial barriers, empowering local leaders to make meaningful, lasting change.”
Awardees include a diverse array of organizations and coalitions, such as:
- Safe Yakima Valley
- WAGAP
- Educational Service District 123
- Sedro Woolley Rise Coalition/MAD HOPE Youth Suicide Prevention
- Whatcom Family & Community Network
- Skamania Acupuncture Clinic
- La Center United
The scholarships will support attendance at local, state, or national training events, helping recipients expand their skills and apply evidence-based prevention strategies in their communities.
“This is more than just a scholarship, it's an investment in community resilience,” added Lyons.
The scholarship program, funded by SWACH and WADOH, was announced in Fall 2025, with scholarships awarded in December. Prevent Coalition plans to collect feedback through post-training surveys to improve future offerings. Although this is the first year of the scholarship, the coalition hopes to continue it in the future, depending on available funding.
About Prevent Coalition
The Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration and awareness and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington, including Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington State through the Rural Network to create a culture that promotes healthy choices. Through support from ESD 112, as well as invaluable community volunteers and organizations across the state, Prevent advocates for policies and regulations that protect, empower, and nurture youth. Prevent is funded by the Youth Cannabis & Commercial Tobacco Program from the Washington Department of Health, and other state and federal grants. For more information, visit www.preventcoalition.org.