Prevention Program

Quileute Human Services provides substance abuse prevention and supportive services for those in recovery. Services are coordinated by Prevention Specialist Ann Penn-Charles.

The Prevention Specialist works with the Quileute Head Start, Quileute Tribal School, and partners with the Quillayute Valley School District to provide evidence based curriculum and best practices for substance education and prevention to students from Head Start to 12th grade.

In addition to substance prevention, the Prevention Specialist also works with youth and families to provide evidence based curriculum for building healthy relationships among families and peer groups including: Safe Dates; Strengthening Families; Guiding Good Choices; Incredible Years Parenting Programs.

The Prevention Specialist partners with the Forks Community Coalition to bring awareness of substance use and prevention education activities to the community and supports the Coalition in its annual Prevention Summit for local youth.

As a culturally based prevention method to abstain from drug and alcohol use the Prevention Specialist coordinates and oversees the Quileute Ocean Going Canoe Family. Each year the QOGCF participates in the Tribal Canoe Journeys. The prevention specialist assists with setting up water safety courses, conducting practice times for canoeing, and coordinating the food, sleeping, and travel arrangements. As part of the program requirements, the Prevention Specialist oversees urine test analysis prior to Journeys, to support individuals in their journey to a clean and free lifestyle and healing of the mind, body, and spirit through cultural practice.