Strategically Sustaining Teen Tobacco Prevention Programs in Communities and Schools

Audience:

Professionals working in youth tobacco prevention and cessation in communities and schools

Key Points:

As allocation from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funds for teen tobacco use prevention and cessation (TTUPC) programs are threatened across the country, it is essential for historically funded organizations to develop strategic sustainability plans.  FirstHealth of the Carolinas, a private, non-profit healthcare system providing TTUPC programs in a four-county North Carolina region since 2001, developed a strategic planning process to engage community and school partners, inspire collaboration and maintain momentum of the NC Tobacco.Reality.Unfiltered. (TRU) campaign. Training youth to serve as peer educators, identifying key adult leaders, offering tool kits for schools, promoting cessation resources,  advocating for tobacco-free environments and continuing to educate lawmakers on the value of TTUPC programs are focus areas for sustainability. 

Educational Experience:

By attending the presentation, audience members will be able to identify TTUPC activities that can be replicated in community and school settings, as well as tips for engaging partners in developing a sustainability plan to continue their priority programmatic and policy efforts.

Benefits:

The audience can apply the lessons learned by FirstHealth to the continuation and sustainability of prevention and cessation services at their own community or school.