Who we are
We are a coalition of Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield members who care about the health of our community. Funding for our coalition is provided by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Support is provided by Blooomington Public Health.

What we do
We work to reduce substance use and build protective factors in our youth.

Did you know? 

• Research has shown that youth who use alcohol or drugs before the age of 15 are four times more likely to have substance abuse issues later in life.
  The human brain is not fully developed until age 25. Early use of alcohol or other drugs can cause lasting harm to thinking abilities.
  
• Alcohol and marijuana are the top two substances used by youth in Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield.

How we do it
We use environmental strategies to affect community attitudes, perceptions, norms, and beliefs around alcohol and other drugs.

• Convene community partners to coordinate prevention efforts
• Build awareness of effective practices , solutions, and resources
• Provide trainings, forums, and workshops
• Promote youth engagement opportunities
• Monitor and communicate youth substance use trends
• Strengthen community norms that will foster a lifetime of healthy choices
• Strengthen policies that reduce youth access to alcohol and drugs

Join us
If you live or work in the communities of Bloomington, Richfield or Edina, you are invited to become a member of Tri-City Partners. Through working together, we can create a community that supports youth in remaining alcohol and drug free. For information, contact us:

• By phone at 952-563-8984
• By e-mail

History
Tri-City Partners (TCP) was formed in 1995 to carry out activities associated with a tobacco grant. Known then as the Tri-City Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition, the seventeen member group represented a diverse segment from the Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield communities. Staffed by Bloomington Public Health, members included Advisory Board of Health representatives, parents, school officials, students, business and media representatives, hospital and clinic staff, and police. Their primary focus was youth access to tobacco.

With the addition of youth focused grants in other areas, TCP expanded its goals and changed its name to Tri-City Partners for Healthy Youth and Communities. In 1998, youth alcohol use became a focus area; the next addition was teen pregnancy prevention; and most recently, physical activity and nutrition.

TCP's membership expanded too, now consisting of three levels: steering committee, action groups and an advocacy group. In 2000, TCP began producing a quarterly newsletter, Creating A Voice, that highlights advocacy efforts for youth by individuals, groups, and communities in each of the four focus areas.

Return to Top