Can I use a vapor barrier paint instead of polyethylene sheets to encapsulate my crawlspace?
Check out information on basement and crawl space strategies on the buildingscience.com website.  Also, check your local codes.  Some jurisdictions still require methods that are not scientifically correct, and some have requirements related to storm surge and flooding.  If you dig a little, some have work-arounds for both scenarios that are more energy efficient.