Somerset County Prevention Hub
Empowering Our Community
The Prevention Hub of Somerset County is hosted by Empower Somerset and connects residents and professionals with prevention resources and services, building resilience in our local communities.
Individual and Family Programs
PreVenture
PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses personality targeted interventions to promote mental health and skill development and delay youth substance use. This program, using a unique, upstream approach, is designed to help youth ages 12-17 channel their personality towards achieving positive long-term goals. The Prevention Hub builds capacity for the implementation of PreVenture in communities across the state.
Marijuana/Cannabis Education
The Prevention Hub provides youth, parents and community members evidence-based education programs, policies, and practices that support the prevention of youth marijuana use. These resources increase our collective understanding of risk factors associated with marijuana use – such as low perception of harm (“if it’s legal, it must be safe”) and easy availability of cannabis products – as well as our understanding of the health impacts of marijuana use, including those on an adolescent’s developing brain.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Using a nationally recognized curriculum developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and Johnson & Johnson, the Prevention Hub provides presentations on OTC misuse dangers. Presentations are tailored for youth, parents, older adults, and the broader community. The Hub also provides facilitator training for health education teachers, law enforcement officers, faith-based youth group leaders and others to keep residents up to date on OTC medication best practices and information to prevent harmful misuse.
Strengthening Families
The Prevention Hub facilitates the use of Strengthening Families, an evidence-based program for parents and youth to assist them in learning parenting skills, youth life skills, and refusal skills. The Prevention Hub identifies appropriate community partners to host the program and refer families who may need support.
Promotion Screening
Promotion Screening
The Prevention Hub brings awareness to the needs of diverse populations and builds a training infrastructure to help community members determine levels of risk in children and adolescents, and direct them towards prevention services, when appropriate.
Universal screening for common risk factors for alcohol and drug misuse, early signs of substance use disorders, social needs and mental health issues help identify youth that may need supportive services, have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or whose families might need support. The Prevention Hub staff can provide information on why screening is important for youth and families, what practices can be implemented to support universal screening in schools or other settings, and what evidence-based screening tools are available that best meet the needs of the population being served. These resources can help you get started with establishing this important practice in your setting.
SBIRT Training
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders. There are a set of screening tools used to identify the youth who may be at risk of substance abuse. EmPoWER Somerset provides SBIRT training that can be offered in person, virtually live or as a recording. Through this training you will learn how to screen a youth using one of the screening tools, how to implement a brief intervention, and when it is needed to refer a youth for further treatment. For more information, please contact josh@empowersomerset.com.
Coming Soon!
Marijuana/Cannabis Policy Toolkits
Marijuana/Cannabis Policy Toolkits
Through technical support and public health practices, the Prevention Hub assists schools, municipalities, and community members in navigating New Jersey’s new cannabis laws and their potential impact on youth.
Cannabis Municipal Level Toolkit
Communities across the state are navigating a changing landscape resulting from recent legalization of cannabis use for those over 21. While guidance is forthcoming regarding the establishment of this industry, many communities want to be sure to consider the public health impact this new industry can have on their community residents and potential areas of concern. The Prevention Hub staff have resources to provide to communities to use public health research and experience to guide their policies and practices to limit the negative impact for youth. The Prevention Hub’s Cannabis Legalization and Local Policy: A Public Health Approach provides local decision makers with guidance on best practices related to an “upstream” approach to public health outcomes, including youth use prevention.
Resources
START Packet
This packet was designed to provide help and information for people in need of treatment for addiction. This packet contains information on treatment resources for addiction and mental health that can help individuals and their family members.
Key Information - Underage Drinking & Drugged Driving
This rack card was created to provide a variety of information to youth and parents on underage drinking and drugged driving. This shares key information on the recent New Jersey Marijuana and Alcohol law changes. It provides information on getting the conversation started with your children about alcohol and the dangers of underage drinking. Spanish translations are also included.
IMPACT Guide
This guide was developed with a focus on local mental health and substance use resources that serve teens, young adults, and parents and caregivers in need of support. It is intended to assist anyone that is seeking help for a teen, young adult, or adult family member. Printed pocket-guide brochures are also available upon request.