Geminus Partnerships for Success Project - The Geminus Partnership for Success (PFS) Project, led by Geminus Corporation (Geminus), aims to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of underage drinking, marijuana use, and tobacco/vaping use among individuals ages 9 to 18 in Lake County. The project will be implemented county wide, with an estimated population of 504,612, with 70.8% of residents identifying as White, 24.6% as Black or African American, and 21.3% as Hispanic or Latino. This project will strengthen the county's prevention infrastructure by implementing evidence-based strategies, expanding access to services, and engaging key community partners to reduce substance misuse-related harm. A core component of the project is direct engagement with both youth and their parents/caregivers, ensuring a comprehensive approach that fosters resilience, promotes healthy decision-making, and equips families with the tools to prevent substance use. The Geminus PFS Project will employ the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to guide evidence-based interventions. These include Smart Talk: Cannabis Prevention & Awareness Curriculum, features five interactive lessons that include activities, quizzes and worksheets alongside presentations and resources; Class Catalyst, a CASEL-designated Tier 1 program enhancing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making; Be Strong Families - Parent Cafés, an evidence-based family engagement program that builds family protective factors, strengthens relationships, problem solving, and resiliency; SAMHSA's Talk. They Hear You. Campaign, a national prevention campaign that empowers parents and caregivers to initiate conversations with children about alcohol and other substances; and, the Did You Know Campaign, an environmental initiative raising awareness about opioid misuse and harm reduction strategies. The project aims to achieve several measurable objectives by 2031. To reduce alcohol misuse, the project seeks to lower the past 30-day alcohol use in 12th grade students by 25% (16.5% to 12.4%); decrease the number of 6th grade students using alcohol by 25% (4.2% to 3.2%); and, increase the perceived risk of daily alcohol consumption to a great/moderate risk in 8th grade students by 15% (57.0% to 72.0%). To reduce marijuana use, it aims to decrease the past 30-day marijuana use in 8th grade students by 25% (4.3% to 3.2%); decrease the percentage of 9th grade students experiencing mental distress and having used marijuana in the past 30 days by 50% (8.4% to 4.2%); and, increase the perceived risk of smoking marijuana weekly to a great/moderate risk in 6th grade students by 15% (59.7% to 74.7%). Additionally, these efforts will include reduction of nicotine use, including but not limited to vaping, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine devise. The project will seek to decrease the past 30-day electronic vaping sue among 12th grade students by 25% (10.9% to 8.2%) and decrease the percentage of 12th grade students experiencing mental distress and having used electronic vaping in the past 30 days by 25% (25.5% to 19.1%). Through these strategic efforts, the Geminus PFS Project will reach 375,000 youth and adults with each of the two environmental strategies, totaling 1,875,000 over the grant period. Additionally, the three evidence-based programs will each reach 7,500 youths and parents/caregivers, totaling over 37,500 throughout the project's duration. Through these efforts, the Geminus PFS Project aims to reduce youth substance use rates and build a healthier, more resilient generation in Lake County.
