Prevention Education Team

Stephanie Swithenbank Prevention Coordinator District-wide, TUPE Coordinator District-wide

Email Stephanie Swithenbank
Wendi James Foster and Homeless Youth Liaison

Email Wendi James (530) 283-6500 ext. 5218
Courtney Eckenroad PCOE Prevention Coordinator - Portola, Friday Night Live Coordinator District-wide

Email Courtney Eckenroad (530) 832-4284 ext 4419

PCOE PUSD prevention team of three women at a conference

Stephanie Swithenbank, Wendi James, and Courtney Eckenroad. Photo credit Janis Foley.

Prevention Education Team Goals

The Plumas County Office of Education Prevention Education Team works to promote student success by addressing the whole child and the factors that impact learning, engagement, and school attendance. A core focus of our work is increasing positive school attendance. Cultivating a school-wide culture of attendance involves creating a climate that promotes positive, trusting relationships between students, families, and staff; ensuring engaging learning opportunities and supportive school environments; and identifying and resolving barriers to attendance and school success.

The Prevention Education Team plays a key role in supporting the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Funding from the LCSSP grant helps support MTSS efforts by providing prevention-focused services, early intervention, and student supports that address academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and attendance-related needs.

We strive to increase understanding of the connection between attendance, engagement, mental wellness, and other factors that disrupt positive school experiences for students in Plumas County. Our goal is to partner with students, families, and school staff to identify barriers to attendance and school success, connect families with appropriate resources, and provide meaningful support to help students thrive.

Through collaboration with schools, families, community and county partners, the Prevention Education Team works proactively to strengthen school connectedness, promote positive outcomes, and ensure students have the support they need to be successful.

TUPE (Tobacco Use Prevention Education)

Friday Night Live (FNL) Clubs

Our Peer Improvement Movement (PIM) groups provide youth leadership opportunities that promote positive school climate, student voice, and healthy decision-making. Each club is facilitated and supported by the FNL County Coordinator, who attends meetings and events in person to guide, coordinate, and support students.

Students participate in engaging, student-led prevention campaigns, school activities, and community service projects that strengthen connectedness and belonging.

Foster and Homeless Youth

Supports youth by helping ensure educational stability, access to services, and connection to school and community resources. Through collaboration with school staff and community and county partners, the liaison works to reduce barriers related to attendance, transportation, basic needs, and school engagement so students can remain connected to learning and experience success in school.

Foster and Homeless Youth Services Coordination Program

Funding

Funding:

Proposition 99 (Prop 99):

The Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 (also known as Prop 99), was approved by California Voters.
Increased the state cigarette tax by 25 cents per pack and added an equivalent amount on other tobacco products.

Proposition 56 (Prop 56)

California voters overwhelmingly passed the California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Prop 56) in 2016.
Prop 56 increased the cigarette tax from $0.87 to $2.87 per pack. The initiative also increased the tax on other tobacco products by an equivalent amount, including electronic smoking devices for the first time.

Resources

Student Resources

Parent Resources

Educator Resources