SPIFFY Coalition

03/27/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Be part of our 4th annual Trans Day of Visibility Resource & Art Fair
March 28th, 11 am-4pm @ the Holyoke Council on Aging & Senior Center

Applications are open for sponsors, organizations & artists to apply and be part of our amazing fair! Every sponsor has the opportunity to provide resources and information about the incredible work you do in the community

Sponsoring Organizations Apply Here - https://forms.gle/2uxVUstuqdDzPJ3aA

Artist participating based on sliding scale (no one is refused participation based on funds!), and gets to showcase and sell their amazing work

Artists Apply Here - https://forms.gle/ESR3vx9KJCeqV6TF9

Last year we had over 700+ people in attendance for the day, we're hoping this year will be another incredible turnout to show trans power and solidarity. We need one another now more than ever!

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Kratom products are now banned in Connecticut from being sold in all stores!

Connecticut officials designated kratom a Schedule one controlled substance Wednesday, effectively banning the product from store shelves statewide.

01/02/2026

"The “Big-3” Healthy Behaviors for Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing"

A research article published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry (2024) examined associations between the “big 3” health-enhancing behaviors of nutrition, sleep and physical activity along with mindfulness and social connectedness, and psychological distress/wellbeing in early adolescents.

The article highlighted that social connectedness emerged as the strongest predictor of both psychological distress and wellbeing!

Read the study article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/
10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1413268/full

The most cited psychiatry journal, using translational approaches to improve therapeutic options for mental illness, communicate progress to clinicians and researchers, and consequently to improve ...

12/17/2025

Newsworthy Wednesday: "After years of delays, state commission approves final rules for cannabis cafes"

"The Cannabis Control Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve final regulations for social consumption licenses, a major step in finally allowing businesses to set up their own ma*****na lounges.

The social consumption licenses will allow people to consume ma*****na products in a variety of potential settings, from w**d cafes to yoga classes and more...

Under the new regulations, there will be three different social consumption licenses available. One is for existing ma*****na establishments like dispensaries that want to add on-site consumption areas to their businesses indefinitely. The second is for new or existing non-cannabis businesses that want to host social consumption events in partnership with dispensaries or other cannabis companies. The third is a temporary license for ma*****na establishments to host their own social consumption events..."

Massachusetts businesses will soon be able to acquire "social consumption" licenses, allowing customers to use ma*****na at dispensaries, cafes, and more.

12/16/2025

Toolkit Tuesday: "Five helpful practices to support LGBTQ+ young people navigate the holiday season"

1) Setting Healthy Boundaries

2) Practicing Language Ahead of Time

3) Making a Plan with Your Family Allies

4) Arriving Prepared

5) Debrief with Q***r Chosen Family

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

BASICS intends to be an approach to student substance use that steers away from shaming and blaming, which students may be more likely to expect.

12/10/2025

Newsworthy Wednesday: "Belchertown to fund recovery housing coordinator with opioid settlement money"

"Opioid Settlement Fund Committee Chair Gail Gramarossa said at a Select Board meeting in early November that the housing and care coordinator would split his or her time between Belchertown and Ware, and both towns plan to apply for a matching grant to maintain the position for two years.

The Select Board on Dec. 1 also approved a request from high school students from Belchertown’s Helping Hands Club for funding to attend the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Conference. The students would learn new and effective ways to prevent substance misuse in schools, and their chaperons would take similar courses on programs for older community members..."

BELCHERTOWN — The Select Board is backing recommendations to use opioid settlement money won in pharmaceutical lawsuits to create a new staff position dedicated to helping people in recovery find and maintain housing. The proposal is one of two the board recently approved based on recommendations ...

12/08/2025

Register today for SPIFFY's next Full Coalition meeting!

Link to register: https://forms.gle/W1A2oVstnn8rSnU89

When: Thurs 1/15/26; 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Collaborative for Educational Services (97 Hawley Street, Northampton)

We will be leading a community-centered participatory evaluation by focusing on:
1) Your feedback about our current strategies (What should we continue doing? What is not working and how should we pivot?)

2) The recent 2025 PNAS data (What are the latest trends with local youth substance use, mental health, and other health-related issues that youth are dealing with? What should SPIFFY focus on?)

What to expect:
🌏 "World cafe" style data walk: Learn about SPIFFY's current strategies and provide feedback on how to make them more effective

📊 2025 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey: Data reveal! What are your main takeaways? What should SPIFFY start, or continue to, prioritize in these next couple years?

🌮 Light dinner will be served

🧸On-site childcare is available (please inform us in advance if you need childcare)

11/25/2025

Shout out to our partner, Ilana Gerjuoy, for writing this excellent piece on youth substance use prevention!

"What Really Works to Prevent Youth Substance Use?"

Read it here:

As with many other health issues, strong, supportive relationships, social-emotional and practical skills, policies that reduce harm, and communities