Project Grant H79SP085344

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded The Pennsylvania State University $250,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.492).

Penn State will deliver prevention training and technical assistance to at least 1,000 adults—including school administrators, teachers, counselors, student support personnel, prevention professionals, community partners, and parents—in the Wyoming Valley West School District, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The project will implement the evidence-based Too Good for Drugs curriculum universally across seventh-grade students (approximately 1,300 students) and will provide individualized mentoring through the evidence-based Check & Connect program to approximately 80 students experiencing chronic absenteeism or school disengagement.

The project strategy comprises three components: revitalization of the PROSPER community partnership to guide prevention planning, implementation, and sustainability; technical assistance and professional development for youth-serving adults through the Social Development Strategy and Prevention Learning Portal; and implementation of the Too Good for Drugs and Check & Connect programs with high fidelity. Process and outcome evaluation will track implementation progress toward measurable objectives focused on strengthening school connectedness, reducing chronic absenteeism, improving behavioral health outcomes, and reducing substance misuse risk.

Performance of work occurs in State College, Pennsylvania. The period of performance runs through September 29, 2031.