Advancing School-Based Substance Use Prevention & Early Intervention Approaches - October 2024 - Community-Informed Vision

Oct 15, 2026

Advancing School-Based Substance Use Prevention & Early Intervention Approaches presents a community-informed vision to strengthen equity, access, and supports for youth. It addresses the growing substance use and well-being challenges faced by young people, especially after the pandemic, and highlights how schools can promote healthy behaviors and connect students to culturally and linguistically effective prevention services. The report contrasts punitive school responses with health-focused early intervention, outlining themes and recommendations for engaging youth, families, schools, and communities alongside sustainable funding and improved school climate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Developing a Community-Informed Vision That Centers Youth

Continuum of School-Based Substance Use Prevention and Intervention

School Activities to Engage Students and Families

Themes Guiding Vision Implementation

Building Trust With and Among Students, Families & Schools

Emphasizing Health Responses Instead of Punitive Consequences

Securing Sustainable Funding

Moving the Vision Forward: Recommendations for Engaging Youth, Families, Schools and Communities

Youth Engagement and Development

Parent/Caregiver and Family Engagement

Community Partnerships

Strengthening School Climate through People, Programs and Policies

Conclusion

Resources & References

Advancing School-Based Substance Use Prevention & Early Intervention Approaches A Community-Informed Vision to Strengthen Equity, Access and Supports October 2024 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Developing a Community-Informed Vision That Centers Youth ................................ 2 Continuum of School-Based Substance Use Prevention and Intervention ....................... 3 School Activities to Engage Students and Families ................................................................... 5 Themes Guiding Vision Implementation .............................................................................. 6 Building Trust With and Among Students, Families & Schools .............................................. 7 Emphasizing Health Responses Instead of Punitive Consequences .................................... 8 Securing Sustainable Funding ............................................................................................................ 9 Moving the Vision Forward: Recommendations for Engaging Youth, Families, Schools and Communities ...................................................................... 11 Youth Engagement and Development ........................................................................................... 12 Parent/Caregiver and Family Engagement .................................................................................. 14 Community Partnerships ..................................................................................................................... 16 Strengthening School Climate through People, Programs and Policies ........................... 18 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Resources & References ............................................................................................................ 21 Advancing School-Based Substance Use Prevention & Early Intervention Approaches [healthyschoolscampaign.org](healthyschoolscampaign.org) Acknowledgments “Advancing School-Based Substance Use Prevention and Early Intervention Measures: A Community-Informed Vision to Strengthen Equity and Access” was developed with input from a community advisory board comprised of youth advocates, school and community leaders and children’s education and health policy experts. Their contributions and review of this report proved invaluable. The authors also wish to thank the numerous students, parents and caregivers who generously shared their experiences with school substance use policies and approaches and, more broadly, school systems and climate. We are especially grateful to BUILD Chicago and the Salt Lake County Youth Action Board. This report was produced with generous support from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE). The views expressed here were developed independently and do not necessarily reflect the views ofour funder. Authors Kimá Joy Taylor, on behalf of Healthy Schools Campaign Alexa Eggleston, on behalf of Healthy Schools Campaign Alison Paxson, Healthy Schools Campaign Jessie Mandle, Healthy Schools Campaign Editor Christine Cupaiuolo, on behalf of Healthy Schools Campaign Designer Viviana Garcia-Blanco, Healthy Schools Campaign Community Advisory Board Members Meyiya Coleman, Youth Organizer Kasey Dudley, Span Advocacy Jennifer Leininger Knipstein, JLK Consulting Services Deb Mattheus, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Nursing, Endowed Professor in School Health Karla Mitchell, Class Agency Chelsea Prax, AFT Shereese Rhodes, Child Care for Every Family Network and United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN) Kayla Tawa, National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy Photos by Allison Shelle

FAQs

What problem does the report focus on regarding youth substance use and well-being?

The report focuses on how young people in the United States face substance use, behavioral health, and well-being challenges without equitable access to effective support, with challenges growing in recent years, especially since the pandemic.

How does the report describe the role of schools in prevention and early intervention?

Schools are described as uniquely positioned to promote healthy behaviors and connect youth to understanding the context behind substance use decisions and how substance use may relate to mental health.

What approach does the report recommend instead of punitive consequences?

The report recommends emphasizing health responses and including prevention and early intervention strategies in school policies, practices, and programs to address youth mental health challenges.

Oct 15, 2026

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