Environmental Team

Beginning in 2003, the DCPFY Environmental Team was formed to reduce the negative impact of alcohol within our community by utilizing effective, evidence-based, environmental strategies. A product of a State Incentive Grant, the Environmental Team has been successful at reducing access to alcohol among both High School and College Students alike.

Through programs such as age restriction compliance checks, party patrols, media advocacy and awareness, the Environmental Team works to address the 4 A’s associated with underage alcohol use and binge-drinking: Availability, Acceptability, Affordability and Attractiveness. Between 2006 and 2008, the Environmental Team contributed efforts that successfully reduced binge-drinking among UW-Stout first-year students by over five percent. While that is a significant decrease in two years, the binge-drinking rate among young adults continues to be substantially higher in Dunn County (38%) as compared to the national median of 15%.*

The DCPFY Environmental Team is also a key partner in an initiative entitled, “Reality Check 21” a partnership between Chippewa Valley community coalitions to reduce underage and binge-drinking in western Wisconsin. It is through this project that the DCPFY Environmental Team publishes a bi-monthly newsletter educating community members and key community stakeholders about the wealth of consequences associated with underage and youth adult binge-drinking.

* Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health and Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Wisconsin Epidemiological Profile on Alcohol and Other Drug Use, 2008 (P-45718). Prepared by the Bureau of Health Information and Policy, Division of Public Health, in consultation with the DMHSA and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. July 2008. http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/stats/aoda.htm.

Testimonials

"For several years, the Environmental Team of the Dunn County Partnership for Youth has been an indispensible part of ongoing efforts to address the culture that supports high risk drinking in Dunn County. As a university partner, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the way they hold together a diverse coalition of individuals and agencies to work toward common goals and objectives. With their commitment to evidence-based strategies, successful acquisition of grant funding, and track record of effectively coordinating efforts across represented agencies, this is one of the most effective community groups of which I’ve been a part."
~ UW-Stout Employee