PHILADELPHIA, PA — Prevention Ed has been awarded a four-year, $1.2 million contract funded through JUUL settlement dollars to provide youth nicotine prevention and leadership programming in partnership with Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the organization announced.
The funding will support prevention education, youth leadership development and harm reduction initiatives related to nicotine use, including the Montgomery County Teen Senate.
According to the announcement, the Teen Senate will allow students to lead prevention initiatives, engage in civic activities and provide peer education focused on youth health.
Over the four-year contract, Prevention Ed said it will deliver structured learning programs, peer leadership opportunities and school-based prevention efforts throughout Montgomery County. The organization said data collection and evaluation will be used to track outcomes.
“Substance use prevention is most effective when young people are treated as equal partners and given clear, research-informed information that reflects their real-world experiences,” said Katie Greeley, founder of Prevention Ed. She said the organization plans to use the settlement funds to support youth leadership and education around vaping and nicotine.
JUUL settlement funds are being distributed nationwide following litigation over the company’s marketing practices targeting youth. Prevention Ed said the award supports its work in prevention programming and harm reduction education in schools and communities.
The initiative will also be supported in part by Prevention Ed’s Global Prevention Fellowship, a nine-month training program for emerging prevention leaders.
Programming funded through the contract will be delivered across Montgomery County in collaboration with schools, community organizations and the Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol, according to the announcement.
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