FBCPC evolved from a collaborative effort between the residents of Fort Bend and the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) to address the increasing problem of substance abuse in youth. In 1991 FBISD received federal funding to create a Safe and Drug Free Schools Advisory Council (SDFSAC). The council’s first task was the evaluation of substance abuse within the schools. In 1995 FBISD conducted the first survey to determine student substance abuse trends. It was due to these efforts that local schools began implementing the PRIDE survey that has been administered every 2 years since its inception. In 2008, this group created the Health and Safe School Environment (HSSE) Committee, charged with developing environmental strategies to address problems related to youth substance abuse. In 2010 the HSSE began a community partnership with Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, Inc. (FBRC) and officially became the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition (FBCPC). With their long-standing relationship of more than 25 years, FBRC became the coalition’s fiscal sponsor for a federal Drug Free Communities Support Program grant and a Community Coalition Partnerships grant through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Over the past three years, the FBCPC has worked diligently to enhance and develop the coalition’s structure. Through a comprehensive community needs assessment, a community strategic plan, and a cooperatively adopted formalized mission and vision statement, FBCPC has become a recognized prevention presence and resource.
Our Team
FBCPC Staff
Payal Patani
Coalition Coordinator
Payal Patani is the Director of the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition. She has served the Fort Bend Regional Council in this role since 2015. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and Promotion from the University of Houston. She has also earned an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist (ACPS) certification issued by the Texas Certification Board. Payal is recognized as a leader at the local, regional, state, national, and institutional levels for her ability to prevent and reduce drug and alcohol use among youth and young adults. Her leadership led to the coalition being recognized by the Office of National Drug Control Policy for outstanding collaborative efforts in preventing substance use among youth. She is married to her wonderful husband, Hiren Patani, and they both enjoy raising their son, Dheyvir Patani.
Lauren Ibekwe
Coalition Coordinator
Lauren Ibekwe is a Coordinator for the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition. She serves a vital role in protecting the health and welfare of youth, families, and community members within Fort Bend County. Lauren has earned her master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas Health Science
Center – School of Public Health, Houston. She has an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist (ACPS) certification issued by the Texas Certification Board. She uses her training to educate the public about the ease of
access to drugs and alcohol, the underestimation of the risks of using, rising teen peer pressure, and other issues that increase adolescent substance use rates. In her free time, Lauren enjoys planning and hosting parties for family members and friends.
Devanshi Vaishnav
Project Coordinator
Devanshi Vaishnav joined FBCPC in January 2018 and she has a Masters degree in Public Health from the School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
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