Prevention Education
pre·ven·tion
/prēˈven(t)SH(ə)n/
(noun) - the action of stopping something from happening or arising
How does prevention work?
Connecting Youth approaches prevention through the Vermont Department of Health's Prevention Model (shown right). The model provides a socioeconomic lens on prevention because prevention strategies are most effective when they connect people in multiple social and economic settings. Underlying risk factors driving a substance misuse problem will vary from one community to another. So, to effectively reduce risks and strengthen protective factors, it's imperative for communities to engage at each level of the model, from policy to individual.
What are protective factors? Protective factors help youth make healthier choices to lead a healthier lifestyle. When promoted and strengthened, protective factors counter the likelihood and impact of risk factors. From family support and adult connection to positive peer influences to feeling valued by the community, protective factors are the active ingredients to effective prevention.
For more on protective factors, check out The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets.
source: Vermont Department of Health
Who does prevention?
Everyone. Prevention is a community responsibility.
Parents and caregivers may be especially interested in learning about prevention since youth substance use is strongly related to future adult substance use. Schools should engage in prevention because it ensures students' safety, well-being, and academic success. Businesses and workplaces may be interested so they can attract top talent, reduce healthcare costs, and maximize productivity and performance. When approached holistically, prevention efforts are interdependently beneficial, creating a web of positive outcomes across communities.
Prevention Success Stories
Click on a drop-down 🔽below to learn more!
20232024 wo site link (1).pdfVaping Prevention Campaign
Following the Vermont Department of Health's recommendation to adopt evidence-based prevention measures when addressing the youth vaping crisis, CVSD x CY launched a district-wide prevention campaign in 2022. Our efforts are anchored in delivering education, in and out of the classroom, on the health impacts of vaping, increasing perception of harm and strengthening social norms.
Our campaign strategy is holistic, reaching people in multiple settings, through multiple channels. From media production and earned media, to youth groups and youth empowerment, to family/caregiver resources, the campaign sets a precedent because it is unified, organized and district-supported. A major step forward for CVSD's role in community-level prevention.
We aim to educate, empower and support. Not point blame.
Our prevention strategies are restorative, not punitive. If you have questions, ideas or just want to learn more about what we're doing to tackle this in our community, reach out to your school’s SAPs.
We're in this together!
Mentoring
The research is undeniable: mentoring provides long-term positive impacts on youth's development of self-worth. When a child feels like they have a sense of purpose and they matter, they are:
55% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school
78% more likely to volunteer regularly
90% are interested in becoming a mentor
130% more likely to hold a leadership position
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an educational framework, rooted in developing important life skills beyond academics. SEL can be integrated into any subject, lesson plan or experiential learning opportunity. It teaches youth how to understand and manage their emotions; build positive relationships; and make responsible decisions.
In 2023, our mentoring program adopted Dr. Marc Brackett's evidence-based emotional regulation tool: The Mood Meter, giving mentees 'Permission to Feel' and helping them identify and name their feelings and broaden their vocabulary to explain how their emotion feels.
ParentIN CVSD
INvolved. INspired. INvested.
When parenting and guiding the tweens and teens in your life it helps to have extra support. ParentIN was created to empower parents and caregivers of middle and high school aged youth in Burlington and the Champlain Valley School District with the information you need to help children make healthy choices.
Students report increasing rates of substance use each year from 6th to 12th grade. We want parents and caregivers to feel confident and prepared to make healthy choices with their child, and know about the local supports available to you. ParentIN offers evidence-informed educational tips and resources, speakers and workshop events, and facilitated meet-ups aimed at helping our kids live substance-free lives.