Educational Programs

 

Forest Friends

Forest Friends is a puppet based prevention program which is geared toward ages 5-7 years old. There are seven lovable puppets that grab the attention of each and every one of the children involved. All seven puppets have a name and are different in all sorts of way just like you and I.Forest Friends is a six week program. For the first five weeks a story is presented to the children through the puppets. During each story a life lesson is taught, then after each story an activity and a coloring sheet is given to enhance the skill that they have just learned. The sixth week is set for review of each topic and to allow the children to discuss their feeling about everything they have learned. Lesson 1: FEELINGS- It is good to talk about how you are feeling. Lesson 2: Trust and Truth (HONESTY)- Tell the truth to the people you trust it will make you feel good. Lesson 3: RESPECT- Be nice to others as well as yourself. Lesson 4: I AM SPECIAL- Self esteem. Lesson 5: DECISION MAKING- Think about your options and consequences before making a decision.Lesson 6: REVIEW

Footprints for Life Grades 2-3

Footprints for Life™ is a research-based primary prevention program that builds assets and teaches important life skills to students in grades two and three. Through the use of puppets and stories that feature “real life” situations experienced by a children’s soccer team, the program offers many opportunities for students to practice the new skills they have learned in a fun and non-threatening way.
The goal of Footprints for Life is to help young children build a strong foundation of life skills rooted in key social competencies. The social competencies that Footprints addresses are planning and decision-making practice, interpersonal skills, cultural competence, peer pressure, and peaceful conflict resolution — assets identified as promoting positive attitudes and behaviors.
Footprints for Life is a six-week program taught during a regular classroom period for approximately 40 minutes each week. Weekly homework assignments and educational sheets not only reinforce the lessons between classes, but also involve parents in their child’s learning experience.
Footprints for Life reaches children while their health-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are at a formative stage; it provides a resource for teachers to help identify potential problems; and it opens the door for parents to have important discussions with their children at home.

Botvin Lifeskills

The Botvin LifeSkills Training Elementary School program is a comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate substance abuse and violence prevention program designed for upper elementary school students. This highly effective curriculum has been proven to help increase self-esteem, develop healthy attitudes, and improve their knowledge of essential life skills – all of which promote healthy and positive personal development and mental health. LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health and positive youth development. According to a study, published in the Journal of Drug Education, more elementary schools in the US choose to use the LST program over all other evidence-based prevention programs.

The Botvin LifeSkills Training Middle School program is a groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program based on more than 35 years of rigorous scientific research. Proven to be the most effective evidence-based program used in schools today, LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health and positive youth development. In addition to helping kids resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, the LifeSkills Training Middle School program also effectively supports the reduction of violence and other high-risk behaviors. This program is aligned to the National Health Education standards and to CASEL’s social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies. To view all LST alignments,

The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) High School program is a highly interactive, skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for youth in grades 9 or 10. A study in the World Journal of Preventative Medicine found that this program cuts drug abuse in half by helping adolescents navigate the challenges of their high school years and preparing them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults. The LST High School program uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve competency in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use, violence, and other health risk behaviors. LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health, social-emotional (SEL) skills and positive youth development

CATCH My Breath

CATCH My Breath is an evidence-based youth nicotine vaping prevention program for grades 5-12 that has been proven to substantially reduce students’ likelihood of vaping. A study of the program’s effectiveness was published in a peer-reviewed journal and the program is listed in SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series. A 4 day program.

Don’t Get Vaped In

The “Don’t Get Vaped In” initiative is a free New Jersey prevention program that educates youth, parents, and educators on e-cigarettes risks, offering specialized training formats to help adults spot trends and protect students Grades 5-12. One Day program

We’re Not Buying It 2.0 Grades 6-8

We’re Not Buying It 2.0 (WNBI 2.0) is a substance abuse prevention program that focuses on developing media literacy skills among sixth through eighth grade students .Developed by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency of Middlesex County, Inc., WNBI 2.0 uses prevention education strategies to reduce early first use of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as bullying behavior.  A primary focus is on raising awareness of messages about substance abuse and bullying that are included in popular, non-advertisement media. The original version of the program was developed in 2000 as We’re Not Buying It: The Alcohol and Tobacco Connection.  It consisted of four lessons exploring alcohol and tobacco print advertising. In 2010, an extensive revision of the program began.  Recognizing that media consumption by youth had shifted dramatically over the last decade (Rideout, Foehr & Roberts, 2010; Madden, Lenhart, Duggan, Cortesi & Gasser, 2013; Zickuhr, 2010; Common Sense Media, 2012), print advertising was eliminated from the curriculum.  It was replaced by popular music, television, movies and social media such as YouTube and Facebook.  As part of this revision, tobacco was dropped from the program, and marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as bullying (including cyber-bullying) were added to the curriculum. Capitalizing on the new media focus, the program was rechristened “We’re Not Buying It 2.0” and debuted in classrooms in 2012. The program now includes six units that are delivered over a six-week time period by a certified prevention educator.  The sessions include a mix of lecture, discussion and activities designed to last 40-45 minutes each.

SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness

SPORT stands for: Substance use Prevention Optimizing Robust Teens (SPORT).

SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) is the nation’s only easy to use, single-session substance use prevention program designed to increase fitness, health and performance-enhancing behaviors like physical activity, sports participation, healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, and practicing stress control for youth. SPORT PPW was evaluated with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is listed as an evidence-based program on the federal government’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).

SPORT PPW targets naturally motivating positive images to increase personal goal setting to improve multiple health habits and positive self-identity.

SPORT PPW is highly flexible and can be used as a stand-alone program, or as an add-on component to other prevention, health, sports, fitness, recreation, education or intervention programs.

It also includes optional parent materials and can be repeated over time, providing a sustained intervention. sport-ppw-for-young-adolescents

The SPORT PPW Program was designed to help youth look and feel more active, fit and healthy by having them:

Identify wellness-enhancing behaviors, along with drug use habits that interfere with reaching wellness behavior goals and positive self-images;
Become aware of positive images of youth engaged in wellness-promoting behaviors, and desired images of themselves in the future; and
Commit to set and monitor multiple goals to increase wellness-promoting behaviors, while avoiding wellness-harming substance use.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Hidden in Plain Sight is a prevention program aimed at revealing to parents the many new products available to youth for substance use and the ways to conceal potential use and risky behaviors. Set up as a mock teenager’s bedroom, Hidden in Plain Sight is an interactive experience giving parents an opportunity to see the many products that may indicate the likelihood of substance use. The Program is meant to bring awareness and give parents information that will encourage meaningful conversations with their teens.

Key Factors

  • Interactive Exploration: Participants browse the room or backpack to find items that could indicate substance use, such as hidden compartments in soda cans, makeup containers, or electronics
  • Guided Education: Prevention Specialists explain the significance of each item, current substance use trends, and provide strategies for initiating conversations with teens about drugs and alcohol
  • Awareness of Concealment Methods: The program highlights how common objects—like candy, eye drops, or energy drink cans—can be used to hide substances, helping adults see beyond the obvious
  • Discussion and Q&A: After exploration, participants engage in a presentation and Q&A session to deepen understanding and learn practical approaches for prevention

In-Person Presentations:

  • Typically include a 30-minute exploration session followed by a 60-minute guided presentation. Programs follow local health guidelines when applicable
  • Goals and Benefits
  • Early Intervention: By recognizing warning signs early, adults can address risky behaviors before they escalate into addiction, legal issues, or health problems
  • Empowered Communication: The program equips parents with knowledge and confidence to have meaningful conversations with their teens about substance use
  • Community Awareness: Schools and organizations can use the program to educate multiple adults, fostering a supportive environment for youth prevention
  • Hidden in Plain Sight is widely used across schools, community organizations, and prevention networks to increase awareness, prevent substance abuse, and promote safe decision-making among adolescent



WISE Senior Program

The educational program offers six lessons that cover a wide range of topics for Seniors

• Learn about the aging process and how to make healthy lifestyle choices
• Celebrate this exciting stage of life and all the benefits that come with it
• Discuss risk factors and behaviors you should avoid to stay healthy
• Examine how alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications affect seniors differently and how you can avoid problems
• Learn how to use simple tools to help you feel more empowered about your health and the healthcare you receive

Chronic Pain Senior Program

The educational program offers six lessons that cover a wide range of topics for Seniors

• Learn about the aging process and how to make healthy lifestyle choices
• Celebrate this exciting stage of life and all the benefits that come with it
• Discuss risk factors and behaviors you should avoid to stay healthy
• Examine how alcohol, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications affect seniors differently and how you can avoid problems
• Learn how to use simple tools to help you feel more empowered about your health and the healthcare you receive

Matter of Balance

The “Matter of Balance” program is an evidence-based initiative designed to help older adults reduce fear of falling and improve activity levels through education and practical strategies.
Objective: The program aims to help older adults view falls as controllable, set goals to increase activity levels, and make small changes to reduce fall risks at home. It encourages participants to engage in exercises that enhance strength and balance.
Structure: “Matter of Balance” consists of eight two-hour classes conducted over several weeks. Classes are typically held in small groups of 8-12 participants, led by trained coaches.
Education and Discussion: Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls, engage in group discussions, and participate in role-play activities to build confidence.
Practical Exercises: The program includes exercises designed to improve strength, coordination, and balance, which are crucial for fall prevention.
Home Safety Evaluation: Participants conduct a home safety evaluation to identify and mitigate potential fall hazards in their living environments.
The program is designed for older adults who are 60 years or older, community-dwelling, and may have concerns about falling or have previously experienced falls. It is particularly beneficial for those who restrict their activities due to fear of falling.