PREVENTION WORKS! -- The Story of SPI

Prevention (pri-'ven(t)-shən)n. The creation of conditions, opportunities and experiences that encourage and develop healthy, self-sufficient people.

Old Adage. An ounce of prevention is worth five prisons.

In 1980, a group of parents, teachers, concerned professionals and students established Informed Parents, Inc., a community response to youth substance abuse in Scottsdale. Informed Parents initiated its service to the community under its ideology that “parents are ultimately responsible for their children.”

In 1986, Informed Parents, Inc., Camelback Hospitals, Scottsdale Unified School District and the City of Scottsdale began meeting to establish timelines for the formation of a community prevention organization, later given the name Scottsdale Prevention Institute (SPI).

SPI was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization on June 22, l987, to provide prevention services to Scottsdale schools.  Now, the organization provides prevention services to schools throughout the Valley of the Sun, including Scottsdale, Cave Creek and charter and parochial schools.

Today, SPI’s comprehensive prevention services address the community and workplace as well.  SPI’s community focus includes the acclaimed bi-lingual El Centro de la Familia (The Family Center), as well as prevention services at the Ft. McDowell-Yavapai Nation.

In the workplace, SPI introduced the Prevention Works! employee support programs. These develop drug free workplace plans and present health and wellness education seminars for employers and employees in addition to offering alternatives to employee termination.

Along with SPI staff, the SPI Board of Directors, Advisory and Parent Prevention Council provide strong advocacy efforts for children and families serviced by the organization.

By working together, we can achieve our goals of spreading the message that Prevention Works!

Awards

SPI's community program, El Centro de la Familia (the Familiy Center), was honored in 2009 with the Science to Service Award and in 2007 as the Arizona Department of Healh Services nominee for the prestigious National Exemplary Award for "Innovative Substance Prevention Programs, Practices and Policies."  These awards are sponsored, ultimately, by SAMHSA of the US Department of Health & Human Services.  This is wonderful recognition of an outstanding program and a huge tribute to the staff at El Centro de la Familia.

SPI is also the recipient of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award for non-profit organizations “In Recognition of Excellence, Innovation and Community Leadership.”

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