Why This Matters 

Central Vermont has high rates of adult substance use, and many children live with someone struggling with addiction.

Supporting interventions:

1. Peer Recovery Coaching is a supportive, non-clinical service where trained individuals with lived experience in recovery help others navigate their own recovery journey. Peer recovery coaches provide guidance, encouragement, and connections to resources to support long-term wellness for families.

   • Support parents and caregivers in understanding substance use and recovery.

   • Help rebuild trust and improve family communication.

   • Provide emotional support and practical strategies for supporting a loved one.

   • Connect families to community resources, support groups, and education.

2. “Talk. They Hear You.” is a national public education campaign from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that helps parents and caregivers talk with children early and often about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.

3. Training in the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) Framework.

4. Building relationships with key stakeholder groups.

5. Working Bridges supports caregivers and families in the workplace by creating job stability and retention.

Why This Matters

Youth in Central Vermont use substances at some of the highest rates in the country. FUTURE VT helps schools and community programs prepare and implement proven prevention programs.

Supporting interventions:

1. YSBIRT which stands for Youth, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, is an evidence-based public health approach designed to prevent and address substance use among young people.

2. Social Norms Marketing Campaign is a public health strategy that uses positive messaging to correct misconceptions about common behaviors and encourage healthier choices. It works by highlighting the actual norms within a community rather than perceived ones.

3. Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education in Schools is a structured approach to teaching students about the risks and consequences of substance use while promoting healthy decision-making.

4. Peer Recovery Coaching is a supportive, non-clinical service where trained individuals with lived experience in recovery help others navigate their own recovery journey. Peer recovery coaches provide guidance, encouragement, and connections to resources to support long-term wellness for youth.

   • Provide mentorship and support from someone with shared experiences.

   • Help build coping skills and resilience in recovery.

   • Offer guidance on navigating school, friendships, and family relationships.

   • Connect youth to community resources and recovery-friendly activities.

5. The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) is a research-based initiative that helps families support the well-being of LGB+ youth. It provides education, guidance, and resources to help families reduce rejection and increase acceptance, which is shown to improve mental health, reduce substance use, and lower the risk of suicide.

6. Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are nurturing experiences that help build resilience and support healthy development in children, even in the face of adversity. Research shows that PCEs can buffer against the effects of trauma and improve lifelong mental and physical health.

7. “Talk. They Hear You.”

Why This Matters

Youth in Central Vermont have some of the highest substance use rates in the country. FUTURE VT helps schools and community programs get the tools and support they need to use proven prevention programs.

Supporting interventions:

1. YSBIRT

2. Social Norms Marketing Campaign

3. Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education in Schools

4. Peer Recovery Coaching

5. Family Acceptance Project (FAP)

6. Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

7. “Talk. They Hear You.”