Education and Training Efforts Grow Across the NRV

This school year, more than 3,200 students, staff, and faculty members of our public schools in the NRV participated in prevention and wellness programs designed to strengthen knowledge, resilience, and healthy decision-making. From classrooms and auditoriums to professional development sessions, these programs offered tools and education that support both individual well-being and healthier school communities. This work reflects the commitment of school leaders, educators, and community partners who prioritize prevention, mental health, and student wellbeing.

One of the most requested student prevention programs was Just Say Know, a science-based and trauma-informed presentation that helps students understand how substances affect the developing brain. Rather than relying on fear-based messages, the program uses neuroscience education to explain the impact of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances on brain function and decision-making. Just Say Know creates a relatable learning environment where youth are empowered to make healthy choices, build protective factors, and develop a deeper respect for their own brain health.

Students also participated in Trauma and Resiliency Basics, Dangers of Fentanyl, and Addicted 2 Life, each offering a unique approach to prevention education. Trauma and Resiliency Basics helps students understand how stress, adversity, and trauma affect the brain and body while emphasizing that resilience and healing are possible through supportive relationships and positive experiences. The Dangers of Fentanyl training provides peer-led education about the risks associated with fentanyl and counterfeit pills, teaching students how to recognize an overdose, respond in an emergency, and administer Naloxone. Addicted 2 Life brings prevention education to life through immersive storytelling, multimedia technology, and interactive learning. 

In addition to student programming, staff and faculty participated in Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Teacher Training, a trauma-informed approach developed by the Trauma Resource Institute. CRM teaches simple, practical skills that help individuals regulate their nervous systems and better manage stress, adversity, and everyday challenges. Rather than focusing on diagnosis or treatment, the training emphasizes body-based awareness and helps participants recognize sensations and use techniques that bring them back into their "resilient zone”, where they can think clearly, remain present, and respond effectively. By strengthening these skills among educators and school personnel, CRM helps build healthier school environments, foster stronger connections, and support long-term resilience and well-being throughout the entire school community.

Together, these initiatives increased awareness around substance use prevention, strengthened coping skills, and promoted resilience among students, educators, and school staff. We are grateful to the school divisions, administrators, teachers, counselors, and community partners who continue to champion these efforts and invest in the health and well-being of our youth. Their support makes it possible to provide meaningful prevention and wellness programming that creates lasting impacts across our communities.