What is FUTURE all about?

Youth in Central Vermont have some of the highest substance use rates in the country. In efforts to create a better space for youth in Central VT to thrive and excel, CVPC has developed the F.U.T.U.R.E. VT project (Families Uniting to Understand & Resolve Substance Effects in Vermont). This initiative addresses and prevents youth substance use and related issues by expanding local prevention and mental health support services in Central Vermont.

This project serves rural youth ages 12-18 and their families. We’re currently working with Harwood High School and Twinfield High School. We’re looking forward to expanding our efforts in the next five years.

Who are we supporting?

Year One Progress & Impact

info sheet

FUTURE VT Youth Survey 2025 highlights

Reaching youth where they learn and grow
Delivered classroom-based prevention education and on-site, one-on-one student support at Twinfield School, reaching more than 60 youth.

Innovating recovery support models
Embedded recovery supports into DCF home visits (with consent), schools, worksites, and the public library, an innovative, community-based model now being considered for statewide replication.

Engaging caregivers at scale
The Talk. They Hear You. campaign reached an estimated 35,112 caregiver-age adults across the county through a multi-platform communications approach.

Shifting social norms through youth-informed campaigns
Twinfield School hosted the region’s first coordinated Social Norms Marketing Campaign, reaching all 6th - 8th graders. Campaign materials were shaped by student focus groups and youth input. A similar campaign will launch at Harwood in Year Two.

Centering youth voice and resilience
Supported youth creativity and expression through a Writers for Recovery workshop at Twinfield, while piloting the HOPE / Positive Childhood Experiences framework to strengthen protective factors.

How We Plan to Keep Helping Youth Thrive in Central VT

  • 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.”

28%

of Central Vermont high schoolers currently drink alcohol

22%

of Central Vermont high schoolers currently use cannabis

13%

of Central Vermont high schoolers currently binge drink

Data courtesy of The Vermont Department of Health Youth Survey

Key Partners & Support

Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) oversees and supports the Central Vermont Prevention Coalition (CVPC), together, a group of community partners working together to prevent substance misuse. We’re also excited to work with Twinfield Union School, Harwood Union Middle and High School, Turning Point Center of Central Vermont, Elevate Youth Services, Green Mountain United Way, and PIRE.

Our Logo

The Future initiative is all about helping the youth of Central Vermont thrive—so how do we make sure our work actually resonates with them? To help answer that, we teamed up with the Digital Media Art in Graphic Design class at the Central Vermont Career Center. Together, we co-created a logo that reflects their vision, ensuring this project is not only for Gen-Z, but shaped by their voice.

“As creative partners, students were challenged to design visual campaigns that effectively communicated the mission of the initiative to a peer audience. Drawing on a wide range of skills—from digital photography to advanced image editing software—students demonstrated both technical proficiency and conceptual depth. From a group of just 16 students, the class produced over 64 original designs and iterations, showcasing a remarkable level of creativity, innovation, and dedication. This collaboration not only enriched their design experience but also empowered students to use their talents in support of meaningful, community-driven work.”

- Jeremy Vahn MFA, Program Instructor at CVCC

Final logo design by River A., student.

Interested in getting involved?

If you’re curious and excited to create a space for local youth to thrive, reach out to our team.

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