Our Mission is to unite prevention advocates in Washington State to create safe and healthy communities by preventing substance misuse and violence.
Prevention improves lives.
Keep Prevention Strong!
BY
Donating to support WASAVP's work
AND becoming a WASAVP member!
What does a donation to WASAVP support?
Contracting with experienced and knowledgable lobbyist
WASAVP has successfully elevated prevention in state policy discussions. We’ve helped protect key prevention funding and programs, and we’ve worked with partners to stop bills that would have harmed communities across Washington.
This success is possible because we can use donated funds to contract with a skilled lobbyist who has strong relationships with state legislators.
We need your help to continue this work. A personal donation to our Prevention First, Washington! Campaign - even as little as $15 - can go a long way toward ensuring Washington’s highly effective prevention system remains strong and continues making our communities safer and healthier.
Lobbyists don’t have special powers — they simply understand the legislative process and how to move through it effectively. Strong lobbyists build long-term working relationships with legislators and policymakers, and those relationships matter. When an issue affects WASAVP, our lobbyist can quickly connect with the right people and clearly communicate our position.
Legislative work is often more about stopping harmful bills than passing new ones. Passing a bill takes far more time, coordination, and effort. Experienced lobbyists know how to block harmful proposals and how to introduce, advance, and guide beneficial legislation through the process.
What does a WASAVP membership support?
1. Education and Advocacy on Prevention Policy
WASAVP is the only organization in Washington whose sole mission is to speak for — and defend — prevention. We partner with other committed and valuable organizations who share our interest in having a strong prevention and public health system in the state.
Most of our work is educational. Even with legislators, we spend most of our time increasing their understanding of prevention, public health, and how policy choices affect communities. We also train coalition members and community prevention providers to use effective education techniques.
As an example, in the 2026 Washington legislative session, there were three bills introduced to regulate Kratom. Legislators had very little awareness of the substance, its harms, or the fact that it’s sold statewide with no regulation. Through our education efforts, lawmakers gained a basic understanding of Kratom and the challenges of regulating it. We’ve continued working with legislators, staff, and stakeholders to help shape a stronger bill for the 2027 session.
2. High-Quality, Research-Based Training
WASAVP develops and delivers high-quality, prevention-focused trainings, including drug education programs recognized by the Prevention Specialist Certification Board of Washington (PSCBW).
3. Support for Prevention Providers
WASAVP supports prevention providers by helping members engage in prevention policy and strengthen local prevention efforts. We work with you to tailor support that helps make your communities safer and healthier.
Are memberships in WASAVP - and donations to WASAVP - allowed by my funding source?
WASAVP Membership
WASAVP membership dues are generally an allowable expense for community coalitions and community-based organizations. Membership funds are used exclusively for policy education, research dissemination, and informational activities and are not used for lobbying, electioneering, or direct or indirect contributions to political campaigns.
Because funding sources and contractual requirements vary, organizations are advised to confirm allowability with their contract manager or funding agency prior to purchasing a WASAVP membership. Members are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable funding restrictions, procurement requirements, and approval processes.
Donation to WASAVP
Donations to WASAVP are generally not permitted by most governmental funding sources because WASAVP uses donations to contract with a lobbyist. Government funds may not be used for lobbying activities.
Please contact membersanddonors@preventionfirstwashington.net with questions about memberships and donations.
What does my WASAVP membership support?
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