Home / Prevention

Prevention Services For Schools

We’ve got Prevention programs for every age and stage.

Our resources are free to schools throughout Union County and available for ages pre-K–12.  We’ve got so many creative ways to bring Prevention to you. We’re excited to work with you to empower the next generation!

Pre-K–4 Programs

Prehistoric Pals

Five prehistoric puppets offer the young audience positive alternatives to violence, vandalism, and victimization. This series teaches children skills to deal successfully with feelings of anger and rage, to respect other people’s property, and to stand up for themselves.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-K–4
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Pre-School/Elementary Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 6

Forest Friends

A developmental puppet program teaching children basic life skills and character enhancement. Each session includes a story portrayed by animal puppets, a discussion, and an activity to reinforce the lesson.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-K–4
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Pre-School/Elementary Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 5

Footprints for Life

Through puppets and stories that feature “real-life” situations experienced by a children’s soccer team, this program teaches important life skills students need to grow up healthy and drug-free.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-K–4
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Pre-School/Elementary Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 6

K–6 Programs

Keep A Clear Mind

A caregiver-child take-home program for substance misuse prevention education. Each child receives a weekly activity book to complete with their caregiver(s), and they receive an incentive (pencil, key chain, etc.) when they turn in the completed book each week.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Grades 4-6
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Elementary Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 4
More About Keep A Clear Mind
Each student receives:
  • four activity books (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, good choices)
  • four student incentives (bumper sticker, bookmark, pencil, bracelet, or key chain)
  • five caregiver newsletters 
    • Newsletters are sent home on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to reinforce learning.

Pre-Teens/Teens

We’re Not Buying It! 2.0 (WNBI 2.0)

A media literacy program that aims to prevent or delay the onset of alcohol, cannabis, and non-medical prescription drug use and to prevent bullying.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-Teens/Teens
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Middle Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 6
More About We’re Not Buying It! 2.0 (WNBI 2.0)

Youth learn how to deconstruct media messages that promote or glamorize substance use. With a deeper understanding of the marketing directed toward them, students are better able to resist messages and make healthy decisions.

Each 40-minute lesson incorporates activities that teach multiple learning styles—visual, aural, verbal, logical, social, and solitary—giving youth the necessary skills to reject unhealthy substance use and bullying behaviors.

Don’t Get Vaped In

An informative presentation for school personnel, caregivers, and youth to address the vaping epidemic in New Jersey. Students will learn about the newest trends in youth tobacco use and vaping.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-teens/Teens, Educators and Caretakers. The program is offered in separate classes for youth and adults.
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Middle and High Schools
  • Number of Sessions: One-time presentation, classroom or assembly style available.

Opioids and Athletes

An informative presentation raising awareness of opioid use and abuse among young student-athletes and providing evidence-based recommendations that will strengthen schools, athletic departments, and community-based athletic programs. Complemented by the toolkit “Tackling Opioids Through Prevention for Athletes.”
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Download Toolkit
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-teens/Teens
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Middle and High Schools (Also available for parents/teachers/coaches/athletic directors in a slightly different format)
  • Number of Sessions: One-time presentation, classroom or assembly style available

Lead and Seed

An intervention to increase knowledge, problem-solving skills, and strategic planning for preventing and reducing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use. The intervention also aims to affect ATOD risk factors for these youth (e.g., increase perception of risk of harm from use) and decrease their use of these substances.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Pre-Teens/Teens
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: Middle and High Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 2 session training with bi-monthly meetings to follow

Safe Dates

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, 1 in 4 adolescents experience verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from a dating partner. It is imperative to stop dating violence before it ever starts. Safe Dates, an evidence-based program, helps teens recognize the difference between caring, supportive relationships and controlling, manipulative, or abusive relationships. It is during the critical preteen and teen years that young people begin to learn the skills needed to create and foster positive relationships.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: High School Students
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: High Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 10

Teens

Peer Leadership (Developed by Prevention Links)

Changing physical environments, increasing social acceptability regarding substance use, and heightened access to substances have fostered a need for powerful, effective leaders in our community. With this peer leadership curriculum, we aim to empower youth to be leaders in their communities.
Contact: Community Prevention at prevention@preventionlinks.org or call 732-381-4100
Email Us
Eligibility Criteria
  • Ages: Teens
  • Where: Union County
  • Who May Be Interested: High Schools
  • Number of Sessions: 2
More About Peer Leadership
The overarching objectives of this peer leadership curriculum are as follows:
  • To equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to develop and practice leadership skills to effect change in their environments;
  • To provide students with opportunities for the application of public health strategies and skills through program development; and,
  • To provide students with opportunities to explore their leadership styles and harness personal strengths to achieve results.
Students are instructed in leadership styles and skills and taught how to use the strategic prevention framework. They implement their skills through work on a group project as part of the training.

NJ4S Hub of Union County

Don’t see the right program for your needs? Let us help create one!

NJ4S, led by Prevention Links, is a hub in Union County dedicated to addressing the youth mental health crisis and offers many resources for prevention programs. Visit their page to learn more and get a prevention program that suits your needs.
Learn More