About PG Cares

At PG Cares, we work to decrease the risk factors and increase protective factors of addiction, abuse, and suicide through education, outreach, and evidence-based initiatives.

Why Focus on Prevention?

It's a sound financial investment.

Recent research shows that for each dollar invested in prevention, a savings of up to $10 in treatment for alcohol or other substance abuse can be seen.

Prevention programs are rooted in gold-standard evidence-based practices.

Prevention professionals are held to the highest standards possible when implementing programs into their communities and select those which are proven to be effective.

It's proactive.

Unlike many interventions for behavioral problems like adolescent drug use, school drop-out, and more, prevention doesn't just target the behavior itself but the risk and protective factors that lead to those behaviors.

Prevention creates safe and successful communities.

Evidence-based prevention programs have been shown to reduce the onset of problem behaviors like binge drinking and initiation of cigarette smoking by as much as 33% compared to communities that did not implement evidence-based programs.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

— Benjamin Franklin

Risk and Protective Factors

Prevention science starts with understanding the research that shows us what factors can play a huge role in the choices young people are making. Risk Factors increase the likelihood of unhealthy behaviors, while protective factors are proven to help a young person make healthier choices.

PG Cares Board Members

Tamara Oborn

Tamara Oborn

Coalition Coordinator
Nicole Khoutam

Nicole Khountam

Coalition Assistant Coordinator
Adelaide Hawkins

Adelaide Hawkins

Youth Community Advocate
Ashley Andersen

Ashley Andersen

Community Educator,
Guiding Good Choices

Brook Anderson

Community Educator,
Defend Innocence & AFSP
Larry Nelson

Larry Nelson

Community Educator,
Guiding Good Choices
Dani Rowan

Dani Rowan

Community Educator,
United Way EveryDay Strong
Kara Kresser

Kara Kresser

Community Advocate,
Suicide Prevention
Stephanee Eastman

Stephanee Eastman

Community Advocate,
Grief Services

Jason Theler

Alpine School District Representative
Laura Giles

Laura Giles

Hope for Utah Representative
PG Cares Board

Mary Hawkins

Nurse, Community Advocate
PG Cares Board

Natalie Wennergren

NAMI Representative
PG Cares Board

Todd Williams

PG City Council,
Key Leader Board
PG Cares Board

Brett Waters

PG City Recreation Representative, Key Leader Board
PG Cares Board

Kimberley Schroeppel

PGPD Victims Advocate
PG Cares Board

Wendy Hair

Austism & Special Needs Advocate
PG Cares Board

Josie Platts

Positive Action Facilitator
PG Cares Board

Brent Platt

Green House Center for Growth & Learning, Trauma informed advocate
PG Cares Board

Jon Hawkins

District Legislative Representative, Key Leader Board
PG Cares Board

Sophia Yorgeson

Suicide Grief & Loss Advocate, AFSP
PG Cares Board

Specialist Chad Wilkins

National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Division
PG Cares Board

Verlena Jackman

Community Advocate
PG Cares Board

Mekel Osterland

UCHD Prevention Dept, CTC Coach
PG Cares Board

Scott Darrington

PG City Administrator, Key Leader Board
Enoch Fossum

Enoch Fossum

Intern BYU-Idaho