Community

Too Smart To Start
Too Smart To Start is a public education initiative that provides research-based strategies and materials to professionals and volunteers at the community level to help them conduct an underage alcohol use prevention initiative. The materials are designed to educate 9- to 13-year-olds about the harms of alcohol use and to support parents and caregivers as they participate in their children’s activities.

Community Support
The Community Support Programs of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) work with States, communities, and mental health consumers and their families to provide people with mental illness with treatment and assistance in meeting basic needs such as housing, jobs, education, social services, transportation, and medical and nursing care. The Community Support Programs are designed to bridge the "knowledge" gap between identifying effective approaches to the delivery of mental health services and the "application" gap of putting those approaches into action in local communities.

CSAP Training Library
This Web page provides a list of links to CSAP substance abuse prevention training resources on topics including program planning, partnership development, conflict management, cultural diversity, economic development, and coalition building. You can view, download, and print trainer modules and participant materials for each training workshop listed.

Disaster Mental Health
The prevalence of natural disasters (such as tornadoes, fires, and earthquakes) as well as terrorist disasters may result in human trauma that requires specialized attention. In the wake of such disasters, the need for crisis counseling is just as important as cleaning up debris and reconstructing property. Through an interagency agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CMHS staff help to ensure that victims of disasters receive immediate, short-term crisis counseling as well as ongoing support for emotional recovery.

Grant Opportunities
This Web page provides links to current SAMHSA grant funding opportunities, past grant awardees, grant planning tools, help with grant applications, special notices, and other information.

Model Programs
This Web site is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in preventing substance abuse and creating sustained positive change in the Nation's communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) model programs featured on this site have been tested in communities and schools across America and proven to prevent or decrease substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors.

National CAPT
The National Centers for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPTs) program provides information, training, and technical assistance in the areas of youth illegal drug use; underage drinking; alcohol, drugs, and violence; and HIV/AIDS and drug use. The CAPTs Web site includes useful information about the CAPT program, including upcoming events, an online calendar, links to regional CAPT Web sites, news, publications and other resources, and an online virtual conference center

Prevention Platform
SAMHSA's Prevention Platform supports effective, science-based Substance Abuse Prevention programs. Prevention Platform provides interactive applications to state system service providers, practitioners, and other Preventionists. Visitors can access training and technical assistance that makes use of substance abuse prevention databases and provides tools for evaluation and management. Prevention Platform also offers practical support to state prevention service systems for strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on their programs.

Prevention Partners
The mission of Prevention Partners is to decrease substance use and abuse by bringing effective prevention to every community. The Prevention Partners' Web site is a virtual meeting place for all organizations that want to become involved in a substance abuse prevention effort or want to enhance or expand their current substance abuse prevention activities. This Web site provides organizations with networking opportunities, information, and resources to enable those already in the field to continue and enhance their work and to help newcomers become active in substance abuse prevention.

Prevention Pathways
Prevention Pathways is an online gateway to information on prevention programs, program implementation, evaluation technical assistance, online courses, and a wealth of other prevention resources. Included are links to SAMHSA's Model Programs, and other resources.

Public Libraries—Partners in Prevention
Libraries are one avenue to help bring substance abuse prevention to every community. SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information gives libraries an opportunity to become partners in this effort by providing substance abuse prevention and treatment materials as well as the resources and instructions on how to adapt the materials for use in your local area.

Recovery Month
The Recovery Month effort aims to promote the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible.

Your Time—Their Future
Your Time—Their Future Positive Activities Campaign is a national public education campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The campaign urged adults to become involved in volunteering, mentoring, and other efforts that help young people, ages 7 to 14, participate in positive activities that build skills, self-discipline, and competence. Although the campaign itself is no longer active, materials preventing use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs among youth are still available on the Web site. These materials include radio, video, and print, PSAs as well as downloadable items such as guides and posters.