Event Dates
Thursday, October 1, 2026, and Friday, October 2, 2026
Location
Confluence Technology Center
285 Technology Center Way, Ste 102
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Objectives
By the end of this two-day event, participants will have:
- Connected with rural prevention peers across Washington
- Strategized around rural network action plan and advancing prevention efforts in rural Washington
- Learned latest science, data analysis, and equity initiatives in the substance misuse prevention field
Overview
The Rural Network, a group of prevention specialists, volunteers and leaders across Washington state who work towards building resiliency and preventing youth substance misuse in rural communities, are hosting their third bi-annual Rural Prevention Conference in Wenatchee, WA on Thursday, October 1st – Friday, October 2nd.
We welcome anyone living-in, working-in, or simply interested-in learning more about rural prevention. We are excited about the two days of speakers, sharing ideas, networking, and energizing together. This year the focus will be on what is working in small towns throughout the state, how to better understand youth experience and meet youth where they are at, and why connection is more important than content when doing prevention work.
Registration Coming Soon!
The conference fee is $125 per person, with sliding-scale conference scholarships available (use the contact form below to request). Clock hours and continuing education credits available.
Request for Proposals!
Want to present at the rural conference?
We are seeking proposals for sessions that include practical tools, real-world applications, and opportunities for participant engagement. Proposals should align with the following priority topic areas:
- Rural Youth Substance Use Prevention & Mental Health: Community-based strategies, data-informed approaches, trauma-informed approaches, belonging, connection as prevention, and innovative strategies that support youth mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing in rural communities.
- Understanding & Engaging Youth: Youth-led initiatives, peer-to-peer models, and mentorship. Exploring how to better understand today’s youth, including the impact of technology and social media, rural youth culture, identity, and the lived experiences that shape behavior, connection, and wellbeing. Strategies that authentically engage youth, center their voices, and elevate youth leadership.
- What’s Working in Rural Communities: Successful and promising practices that demonstrate real impact, including innovative solutions, partnership-driven approaches, and lessons learned from implementation in rural settings.
- Coalition Building & Community Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and strategies to build and sustain effective coalitions in rural communities.
- Sustainable, Adaptable & Low-Cost Prevention Strategies: Creative, scalable, and resource-efficient approaches that maximize impact in rural settings with limited funding and capacity, including strategies that can be adapted or tailored to fit the unique needs, strengths, and realities of rural communities.
Click the button below to learn how to submit a proposal.
Agenda
Agenda:
Coming soon!
Keynotes:
To be announced!
Our Sponsors
