Growing Positive Community Norms to Create Healthier and Safer Communities

Growing Positive Community Norms to Create Healthier and Safer Communities
January 21 | 5:30-7pm | At CCHE & Zoom 
Presenters & Partners: Laura Bennett, Regional Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug Prevention Coordinator and Cook County Public Health & Human Services

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.

Join us for a conversation about how others have used this approach and how we can apply these frameworks in our community to increase health and safety.-

Snacks and beverages provided.