Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY)

You already know that combustible cigarettes, vapes, and cannabis pose scary risks to kids and teens. But do you know about the connections between these three products? ?? Cigarettes, vapes, and cannabis make up a toxic triangle of dangerous substances that are marketed to youth. Get a crash course in the new emerging triangle and register for next month’s free webinar diving into the topic: https://vfhy.ink/3Zg4xmO #Health #PublicHealth #Tobacco #Nicotine #ECigarettes #Vaping #Cannabis #Marijuana #SubstanceUse

?? Only a few days remain to apply for our Dangers of Fentanyl activation grants! Your organization could earn funding to implement our evidence-informed, user-friendly Dangers of Fentanyl lesson plan. Finish up your application before going OOO and don’t miss this opportunity! Submit your application by December 2: https://vfhy.ink/3Z1by9I #Health #PublicHealth #Fentanyl #SubstanceUse #Prevention #Grants #Funding

Curious about cannabis? Need information to guide your youth cannabis use prevention efforts? Our friends at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority have resources for youth and adults alike to understand cannabis, its effects and risks, and Virginia’s laws about possession and use. Check out these free resources: https://vfhy.ink/40Mzct3 #Health #PublicHealth #SubstanceUse #Cannabis #Marijuana #Prevention

Today is National Rural Health Day ?? Individuals living in rural communities face some unique public health challenges, such as difficulty accessing care and resources. Additionally, rural areas tend to experience higher levels of substance use, tobacco use, and childhood obesity. Check out this fact sheet from the Rural Health Information Hub for more information about rural health in Virginia: https://vfhy.ink/4fORQ7N #Health #PublicHealth #RuralHealth #NationalRuralHealthDay #Virginia

Today is World Children’s Day! ?? The United Nations established World Children’s Day in 1954 to promote children’s rights and improve their welfare. It’s a great reminder that we all share a responsibility to help kids and teens lead their happiest, healthiest lives. #Health #PublicHealth #YouthHealth #WorldChildrensDay

?? We are so proud of Y Street alumna Ashley, who is receiving an Outstanding Youth Award in the 2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Awards tomorrow! You might remember Ashley from Healthy Youth Day this January, when we highlighted her work on the Y Street Leadership Team. Ashely graduated this spring and was nominated for a Volunteerism & Community Service Award by her Y Street supervisor. The Volunteerism & Community Service Awards recognize Virginians who devote their time to making a difference in their communities. Congratulations, Ashley! We’re proud of the work you do to empower your peers to make healthy choices! Read more about Ashley: https://vfhy.ink/4ezT4mG #Health #PublicHealth #YouthEmpowerment #YouthHealth #Volunteering #Leadership

Tobacco companies market e-cigarettes as a tool to stop smoking. But research suggests they have actually gotten a new generation addicted to nicotine. “Federal data suggest that, among U.S. adults, 18- to 24-year-olds report the highest vaping rates. Given plummeting cigarette use among teenagers and young adults, many of these people likely picked up vaping without ever having been regular smokers,” TIME reports. Read more: https://vfhy.ink/4eDdhIk #Health #PublicHealth #Vaping #ECigarettes #Tobacco #Nicotine

Youth tobacco use is declining, despite the tobacco industry trying to entice kids with flavored vapes and colorful packaging. Big Tobacco’s newest effort to recruit young users? E-cigarettes with small screens that display eye-catching animations and built-in games. Read more about “smart vapes”: https://vfhy.ink/3O0wY1K #Health #PublicHealth #Vaping #ECigarettes #Tobacco #Nicotine

??FYI: Less than three weeks remain to apply for our Dangers of Fentanyl lesson activation grants. Your organization could earn $4,000 to teach youth in your community about the risks of fentanyl and how they can keep themselves safe. This opportunity is open to nonprofits, for-profits, schools, school systems, governmental organizations, and charitable organizations operating in Virginia. Submit your application by December 2! Get the details: https://vfhy.ink/3UJxHYW #Health #PublicHealth #Fentanyl #SubstanceUse #Prevention #Education #Grants #Funding

We’ve got another great workshop with Barbara Burke coming up! In this new Empower Series webinar, we will explore the importance of cultural competency. You will gain an understanding of implicit bias, discuss the nuances of equality and equity, and discover how and why to work toward cultural competency. Join us on November 19. Register for free: https://vfhy.ink/3ChZdqd #Health #PublicHealth #DEI #DOI #Webinars #Learning