Annual P.A.T.H. Conference topics help Valley youth

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office with local, state, and federal entities hosted the annual Prevention Awareness Team of Hidalgo County (PATH) conference.

The conference provided continuing education to law enforcement, social workers, school counselors, and parents on a wide range of topics that directly impact communities in the Rio Grande Valley.

It was an opportunity to work with youth to discuss topics such as substance abuse and mental health.

"The idea is for everyone to be able to work together and to work towards a similar goal," said Vianca Vieyra, P.A.T.H. Secretary. "If we're all on the same page, it makes that transition between person to person a little bit easier for the youth. Whether it's a parent giving them something, letting them know that alcohol is not something that they want them to do or they don't want them to vape, and then they're getting that sort of information from their teachers or social workers at school, then it's a similar idea. It's not just their parents nagging them for the sake of being parents."

The conference continues for a second day on Thursday.