Our Mission

The mission of the Irvine Prevention Coalition (IPC) is to support a safe and caring community by working together to provide prevention strategies and coordinated services designed to reduce substance abuse, violence and related problems among our youth.

Working Together

Our community members are the strength of our collaborative. In order to engage multiple sectors of our community in the process of prevention, the partners of the Irvine Prevention Coalition have established the following organizational structure:

Irvine Prevention Coalition

• The Irvine Prevention Coalition (IPC) meetings focus on networking, communication, and training. The partners of the coalition and all members of the community are invited to attend the IPC General Meetings which are hosted on the third Thursday of the month at Irvine City Hall from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

IPC Coordinating Committee

• The IPC Coordinating Committee focuses on the work of the collaborative including capacity building, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The IPC Coordinating Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm at IUSD Guidance Resources/Creekside High School. All IPC partners and members of the community are invited to attend.

IPC Executive Advisory Committee

• The IPC Executive Advisory Committee is comprised of key community leaders and agency partners who meet quarterly to review school and community based prevention and early intervention strategies in order to leverage resources and sustain needed programs and services.

Youth Development

• The City of Irvine High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT) and the Middle School Youth Action Team (MSYAT) engage young people in the planning and development of our community's prevention programs, activities and events.

School Site Prevention Coordinators

• Each school in Irvine has a parent, teacher, counselor or student who serves as their School Site Prevention Coordinator. These volunteers are responsible for organizing and supporting both school and community based prevention programs, activities and events. Irvine Community Drug Prevention hosts a training meeting each year in September for our volunteers. In addition, a listserve is used to disseminate information throughout the year.

Special Committee Meetings

The Irvine Prevention Coalition convenes special committees to tackle specific issues as needed in the community.

• IPC Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force: This committee is working to develop strategies to prevent and reduce underage drinking in Irvine. The task force meets on the fourth Thursday at 3:00 pm at IUSD Guidance Resources/Creekside High School. .
  • Social Norms Campaign: The coalition is partnering with the City of Irvine High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT) to develop a social norms campaign for students and parents in the community.
  • Parent Campaign: The partners are developing a parent campaign entitled "TARGET 21" as a tool to educate parents about the impact alcohol has on children. The campaign will emphasize healthy development and the affects of alcohol on the developing brain. It will also address many of the short term consequences as well as legal and civil liability issues related to underage drinking.
  • Merchant Campaign: The coalition partners are working with local merchants to help prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. This effort includes site visits by coalition partners, local law enforcement, and youth. In addition, the coalition will host free Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) trainings for merchants and their employees.