Breaking News:
Blackburn Named New ED for ITC

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Influence the Choice Executive Committee has announced the selection of Jerry Blackburn as the group's new Executive Director, effective February 14, 2019.
              Mr. Blackburn, who has served as Chair of the Influence the Choice board of directors since 2015, will leave his current job as Program Manager of Substance Abuse and Prevention Services at Friends of Youth to assume his new position.  Blackburn has also served for many years as an adjunct faculty member in Bellevue College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling Education program and is a frequent speaker at conferences and schools throughout the region.
     Ina Ghangurde, Influence the Choice Vice Chair and leader of the Director recruitment process says, “It is wonderful to have Jerry, who has served our organization in so many different capacities, moving up into the Director’s position.  We expect to make great strides under his leadership in promoting the health and well-being of our community’s youth.”
     Read the entire news release here.

Our Mission
The mission of Influence the Choice is promotion of mental, physical and social wellness for middle school through high school-aged youth in the greater Issaquah community.  We accomplish this mission through networking community resources and facilitating strategic action planning aimed at changing community norms.

Influence the Choice - Drug Prevention Alliance for Youth (ITC) is a prevention alliance working for a healthy, thriving community. It is comprised of a minimum of twelve community sectors: parents, youth, schools, business owners, medical professionals, government, media, faith-based organizations, organizations serving youth, civic or volunteer organizations and law enforcement, all working together to build a drug-free community.

Calendar

Jan 15       Student Video Contest Launches
Feb 4         ITC Meeting                     The Garage*                5:30 p.m.
Feb 4         Forum on Vaping            Issaquah High             7:00 p.m.
Feb 14       Mental Health First Aid  The Garage*           8:00 to noon
Feb 15       Mental Health First Aid  The Garage*           8:00 to noon
Mar 4         ITC Meeting CANCELLED/Please attend HIPS (below)
Mar 4         Hidden In Plain Sight      Maywood MS              7:00 p.m.
Mar 15       Student Video Contest Deadline
        
*The Garage is located at 235 First Avenue Southeast, Issaquah. ITC meetings are held in the conference room at the north end of the building.

To learn more about the 2019 student video contest, click here.

UPDATE
Youth Mental Health First Aid Class
has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.  We are no longer taking registrations.  A re-scheduled date will be shared soon.

Learn how to·
  • Recognize a mental health crisis and get help.
  • Insure the person’s safety until help arrives
  • How to stay calm and find the right words
  • Take steps to de-escalate tense situations.
Who benefits from taking this class?
  • Anyone who regularly interacts with young people - in business, in school, on the job
  • Family members and friends
  • Service employees and front-desk personnel
NEW! You can help promote healthy choices for young people in our community.  Influence the Choice is now accepting donations.  For additional information about ITC's non-profit status, click here. To donate, click the Donate button.