The Gilpin County Extension office recently won two grants: The Substance Abuse Block Grant and the Tony Grampsas Youth Services grant. All of the awarded money will be put towards youth workshops for Gilpin students. While many details are still in the works for both workshops, they will work to provide leadership training, substance abuse prevention, and life skills.

The Substance Abuse block grant will create a workshop that teaches students the needed skills to avoid substance abuse. Funded by the State Office of Behavioral Health, the workshop will provide evidence based-programs: “Botvin LifeSkills Training” classes and “Positive Action” curriculum. According to organizer Jacob Rippy, “Both programs provide instruction for general social, self-management, and drug-resistance skills, along with many other topics.”

The programs will be taught as follows: “Positive Action” for ages Kindergarten-2nd, lifeskills classes for grades 3-6, and separate lifeskills classes for grades 6-10. While the workshop is likely to be held in the community center, they are also considering the barn lobby, the public health building, the library, and/or Christ the King Church. Currently they are planning to start right around school’s beginning. However, if virtual learning is extended considerably (i.e. for the remainder of the semester, or longer), we will try to offer some of our programs virtually, and maybe do some small group activities if we can abide by social distancing and other current health and sanitation guidelines,” explains Rippy.

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These workshops will provide necessary tools for Gilpin students. By teaching drug abuse prevention and leadership skills, our youth will thrive during this hard time. For more details, contact the Gilpin County Extension Office.

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