Positive Community Norms (PCN) cultivate cultural transformation by working on multiple community levels at once. This framework developed by Dr. Jeff Linkenbach and recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has shown itself to be effective in creating meaningful social change in the areas of health and safety issues including traffic safety, underage drinking, binge drinking, child maltreatment and many others. Positive Community Norms is an application of the Science of The Positive Framework; the study of how positive factors impact culture and experience. The Science of The Positive is based on the core assumption that the positive is real and is worth growing – in ourselves, our families, our workplaces, and our communities (Linkenbach, 2007; https://www.montanainstitute.com/ ).

By talking about positive behaviors rather than emphasizing negative behavior and inadvertently making that seem common or even attractive, Positive Community Norms brings forward the message that the positive is the norm. While the Science of the Positive is based on the core assumption that the positive exists in every community and culture, it recognizes that suffering, pain, and harm are very real. As we balance hope and concern; we can work together to increase the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in our communities.

This event will focus on substances, such as drugs and alcohol, as the primary examples throughout the presentation.

Laura Bennett, CPPR
Regional Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug Prevention Coordinator
Northeast MN Region 2: Aitkin, Carlton,Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St Louis counties
Carlton-Cook-Lake-St Louis Community Health Board
BennettL2@communityhealthboard.org
www.communityhealthboard.org  www.rpcmn.org

Cook County Public Health & Human Services
https://co.cook.mn.us/government/departments/public_health_and_human_services/index.php

Additional Resources:
https://www.montanainstitute.com/publications-research   and https://www.montanainstitute.com/community-stories  – Growing the Good – A Minnesota Story is on this page are videos about Deer River and Red Lake. Lots of work on Positive Community Norms in MN highlighted.

Examples focused on protecting children in Missouri – Something We Agree On, we all want children to thrive. https://somethingweagreeon.org/

Washington – Most Steer Clear marijuana / cannabis prevention work https://www.moststeerclear.org/

PDF of full slide deck  – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bkiLjiszVsCHAAizHVw8bn0XNlsgIt1X/view?usp=sharing

Message development check list – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GwJKiFDl9EmGsKvBunTd4kIjYSMoJYuB/view?usp=sharing

Information for upcoming free webinars:

The Hopeful Science Behind Positive Experiences Across the Lifespan

WEBINAR FREE Jan 28 9:30-11am with Carla Ritz, The Montana Institute

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hopeful-science-behind-positive-experiences-across-the-lifespan-tickets-1074668916659?aff=oddtdtcreator

Facilitation Skills: Shifting from Routine to Engaging

WEBINAR FREE Feb 11 10:00-11:30am  with Jason Anderson

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facilitation-skills-shifting-from-routine-to-engaging-tickets-1131270092299?aff=oddtdtcreator