Purpose:
To prevent multiple harmful behaviors- including sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, child abuse, and suicide within military communities before they occur. Foster healthier command climates, strengthen shared protective factors and reduce risk factors at the interpersonal and community level by tailoring prevention activities to address unique needs, build resilience and promote well-being leading to enhanced readiness and a greater ability for Marines to execute critical missions.
Contact Information:
Primary prevention Officer (703) 614-1096 | Email us
Location:
Henderson Hall
Building: 28 | Room: 100
Primary prevention are all activities and events that occur prior to the occurrence of a significant event or the culmination of critical stressors that greatly increase risk of engaging in harmful behavior. Primary Prevention activities include the policies, programs, practices, and processes that aim to prevent self-directed harm such as suicide and substance misuse, or other prohibited abusive or harmful acts like sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment that will vary depending on the local needs and environment.
Integrated primary prevention fosters collaborative efforts amongst the MCCS portfolio, stakeholders and works with, and through commanders to build the resiliency of the Force and increase mission readiness.
Prevention stakeholders might include, but aren't limited to: USMC Leaders, Alcohol Prevention Specialists, Chaplains and Religious Ministry Team members, Child and Youth Programs (CYP) Training & Curriculum Specialists, Combat and Operational Stress Control (COSC) Representatives, Command Financial Specialists (CFSs), Deployment Readiness Coordinators (DRCs) and Uniformed Readiness Coordinators (URCs), Equal Opportunity Advisors (EOA), Equal Opportunity Representatives (EOR), Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Family Case Workers, EFMP Training Education & Outreach Specialists, Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Prevention & Education Specialists, Marine Corps Family Team Building staff, Marine for Life staff, New Parent Support Program Home Visitors, Personal Financial Managers (PFMs), Resilience and Wellness Specialists, School Liaisons, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs), Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs), Suicide Prevention Program Coordinators and Officers (i.e., SPPCs and SPPOs), and Transition Readiness Program staff.
The Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW) supports Marine Corps efforts to promote total force fitness and resilience. The dedicated Prevention Workforce include Primary Prevention Integrators (PPI)s that assist commanders and contribute to environments that facilitate the decrease of harmful behaviors.
PPIs:
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Assess risk and protective factors within the command.
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Consult with command on prevention strategies.
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Promote use of helping resources as early intervention.
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Evaluate prevention strategies.
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Coordinate efforts related to data, analytics, and application of prevention activities.
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Focus on problematic behaviors with two or more shared risk and protective factors.
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Recommend policies, procedures, and practices to contribute to a culture of prevention.
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Promote and disseminate evidence-based informed tools and resources to educate and engage community partners to enact strategies in the local community.
These primary prevention personnel coordinate and collaborate directly with command leadership, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and key prevention stakeholders to enable direct support and services to Marines and Sailors.
Harmful behaviors:
Behaviors that negatively affect readiness and may cause harm (e.g., sexual assault, harassment, suicide, substance misuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, problematic sexual behavior in children and youth, and unhealthy physical behaviors such as obesity and smoking.
Risk factors:
Characteristics that increase the likelihood of a person experiencing harmful behaviors.
Protective factors:
Characteristics that directly decrease the likelihood of, or buffer a person from experiencing, harmful behaviors and can promote resilience, health, and overall well-being.
Integrated primary prevention:
Activities that address multiple harmful behaviors in a cohesive, comprehensive approach that promotes unity of effort, avoids unnecessary duplication, and lessens training fatigue.
DoDI 6400.09: DoD Policy on Integrated Primary Prevention of Self-Directed Harm and Prohibited Abuse or Harm
DoDI 6400.11: DoD Integrated Primary Prevention Policy for Prevention Workforce and Leaders
NAVMC 1700.41: Marine Corps Dedicated Prevention Workforce