Wilder Community Leaders Launch C4Y Regional Initiative

After reviewing results from the  Idaho Youth Well-being Survey (IYWS), community leaders in Wilder saw an opportunity to support local youth in new and meaningful ways. That commitment led Wilder to become the newest Communities for Youth (C4Y) Regional Initiative.

Through a partnership with Southwest District Health’s Partnerships for Success Program—funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—this initiative will help prevent youth substance use and promote student well-being across our community.

The C4Y Wilder Initiative will focus on upstream prevention, which means creating and sustaining conditions that help young people thrive by strengthening what is working well and addressing local needs before challenges arise. This work will follow C4Y's data-driven community engagement process, pictured below. 

The Wilder Youth Well-being Coalition was formed and met in May to review the findings from Wilder’s IYWS data for the 2025-2026 school year and discuss priorities and next steps. Moving forward, the coalition and community will have access to tools, resources, and support to help guide local upstream prevention efforts to improve outcomes for youth. 

A key part of a community becoming a C4Y Regional Initiative is  identifying a “Community Lead.”  Kaydin Griffin, Senior Health Education Specialist at Southwest District Health, will serve as the Wilder Initiative Community Lead, helping coordinate the initiative and supporting the planning and implementation of solutions chosen by the community.

C4Y Wilder Initiative Community Lead, Kaydin Griffin 

With strong community support, local youth well-being data, and a commitment to action, Wilder is building a stronger future for young people. 

Questions about the Wilder Initiative can be directed to Kaydin at Kaydin.Griffin@swdh.id.gov.

Future updates about C4Y Wilder will be available under the Regional Initiatives section of the C4Y website.