Franklin Prevention Connection - Empower Somerset proposes to implement the Franklin Prevention Connection throughout Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, serving a community of approximately 69,862 residents. The project will strengthen local capacity to prevent youth substance use through implementation of SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) by addressing documented gaps in prevention infrastructure, including limited evidence-based prevention programming, the absence of universal substance use screening, insufficient mentoring opportunities for youth at higher risk for substance use disorder, limited parent education, and the need for stronger coordination. Capacity-building efforts will establish sustainable systems for prevention planning, data collection, collaboration, mentoring, and referral pathways that support long-term prevention efforts. The population of focus includes youth ages 12-18 enrolled in the Franklin Township Public School District, with particular attention to students experiencing elevated risk factors for substance use disorders, behavioral health concerns, chronic absenteeism, academic challenges, family substance use, and involvement with alternative education settings. Families, educators, school counselors, and local partners will also benefit through enhanced prevention training, education, and technical assistance. Project strategies include implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework; evidence-based prevention education; school-based screening and early intervention; mentoring; parent engagement initiatives; professional development for school personnel; environmental prevention strategies, including retail compliance and environmental scans; public awareness campaigns; coalition development; youth engagement through a Youth Advisory Board; and ongoing evaluation and continuous quality improvement. The project goals are to: (1) increase youth and parent knowledge and skills to prevent alcohol, cannabis, and vaping use; (2) strengthen early identification and intervention for youth at higher risk of substance use disorder; and (3) reduce youth access to substances while promoting local norms that discourage underage substance use. Key measurable objectives include providing evidence-based prevention education to at least 500 youth; implementing annual life skills programming in elementary schools; providing mentoring services to a minimum of 25 students annually; screening 200 students using validated behavioral health and substance use assessment tools; training school counselors and educators annually in evidence-based prevention and early intervention practices; conducting annual environmental scans of alcohol, cannabis, and vaping retailers; implementing annual parent education and public awareness campaigns; establishing formal referral partnerships with five local treatment providers; and achieving a 3% reduction in 30-day youth alcohol, marijuana, and vaping use and a 2% increase in youth perception of harm by the conclusion of the project. These objectives directly support SAMHSA's strategic priorities by strengthening prevention infrastructure, expanding early identification and intervention, increasing capacity, and reducing substance misuse among youth.
