St. Vincent Prevention Projects

The Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects provides a variety of community and school-based prevention programs throughout the 1,000 square miles of Westmoreland County and in the surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania. We are happy to partner with them.  These services consist of:

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention education programs conducted in classroom and small group settings in elementary and secondary schools.

• Training workshops, seminars and conferences designed to acquaint, refresh and educate elementary and secondary teachers and administrators as well as other prevention professionals and human services personnel with the most current ATOD prevention information, techniques and processes.

• Preschool Curricula designed to establish a foundation of positive life skills that will promote wellness in the young adults of tomorrow.

• Community prevention programs focused on reducing the use of ATOD in specifically targeted community elements or the at-risk population in general and to affect community norms regarding ATOD use and abuse.

• Special programs regarding the development and/or enhancement of parenting and nurturing skills, and the special needs of at-risk children.

The Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects uses a unique strategy: all our programs are developmental, ongoing, consistent, comprehensive, and motivational. This approach is based on research which has shown that education which promotes and reinforces positive behavior and builds resistive skills can be a significant influence in the development of a healthy lifestyle.

PROJECT SUCCESS

Is recognized by the center for Substance Abuse Prevention as an evidence-based program.  An Intervention Specialist is assigned to our school to provide group and individual support to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) referred students and offer follow-up to the SAP team and families.  There are occasions where a student is not part of SAP but can still receive services with the Intervention Specialist.

            Services/Activities

• Assist in identification of at-risk students.
• Provide short-term individual and group support sessions.  It is preferred the student is active with SAP but not required.  Each student the Intervention Specialist works with must have a consent signed by their parent/guardian in order to participate.  
• Intervention Specialists use the following strategies: Information dissemination, prevention education, problem identification and consultations.  In addition, resistance and social competency skills are taught - communication, decision-making, stress and anger management, problem solving, and resisting peer pressure.  Grief and loss, diverse/blended families, divorce, and assisting a new students' adjustment to school can also be addressed through intervention services.
• Intervention Specialists work with students individually and in small groups, conduct prevention/education discussions and programs, and provide follow-up with students and families.
• Coordinate/consult with the SAP Team.

CLASSROOM PROGRAMS

• Stacked Deck (Gambling addiction education) - an evidence-based, school-based curriculum. The program focuses on the prevention of problem gambling by teaching youth how gambling works and the associated risks.  
• High School RX - an evidence-based drug/alcohol education curriculum.  The program focuses on education students on various topics (over-the-counter and prescription drug addiction, vaping & nicotine dangers, alcohol & DUIs, underage drinking, Marijuana, consequences, addiction & recovery, life after high school, etc.).

      Classroom programs are held during social studies class and is offered in 4 or 5, 40-minute sessions.

CATCH MY BREATH

• Is an evidenced-based youth vaping prevention program designed to reduce the likelihood of students vaping.  The curriculum empowers at-risk youth and teens in grades 5-12 to make informed decisions and choose a healthy vape-free lifestyle.

INDEPTH (Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health)

• Is an alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping program in a more supportive way.  INDEPTH is an interactive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives and how to kick the unhealthy addiction that got them in trouble at school in the first place.  INDEPTH  is offered to individuals or small groups by a trained INDEPTH Facilitator.

NOT (Not on Tobacco)

• Is an evidence-based tobacco cessation program to help support vape-free/tobacco-free policies and help to promote a better quality of life and health to all students by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol.  NOT is offered to small groups by a trained NOT Facilitator.

MBI (Marijuana Brief Intervention)

• Is an evidence-based program used to help reduce or eliminate the use of marijuana to promote a better quality of life and health.  MBI is offered to individuals or small groups by a trained MBI Facilitator.

BLUES

• Provides participants with educational activities that enhance skills in communication, anger management, problem solving, and coping.  Improving these skills will help students navigate typical social pressures, including drug use and other at-risk behaviors.  Blues is offered to small groups by a trained BLUES Facilitator.

Smart Gaming Skills

• Is a program designed for students who are experiencing excessive gaming that is impacting them socially, emotionally, and academically.  The focus of the group is skill building and healthy balance and to increase student awareness of their video gaming habits, improve their self-regulation and time management, and strengthen their coping skills and offline engagement with family, friends, and school.