Coordinated School Health - September Compass

🚫 Fall Reminder: Talk to Your Child/Your Students About Nicotine Use

As we settle into the school year, it’s important to stay aware of the growing trend of youth using nicotine products, especially items like pouches and vapes that can be easily hidden. Many young people try nicotine due to peer pressures, wanting to experiment, or by following the example of older siblings or family members.

What they may not realize is that nicotine can seriously harm a young, developing brain, irreversibly impacting memory, attention, emotional regulation and mental health. The earlier a child starts, the greater the risk of long-term addiction.

We encourage all families to have open conversations about the real risks of nicotine use and help kids feel confident saying “no thanks” to their peers.

Let’s work together to keep our children healthy, informed, and supported.

👉 Start the conversation today—ask your child/your students what they know about nicotine products and how to handle peer pressure.

Visit the linked resources below for tips on how to talk with your child about addiction and brain health.

Office of Public Instruction Resources

Montana Youth and E-cigarettes Know the Facts [storymaps.arcgis.com]

Parents Against Vaping [parentsagainstvaping.org]

CDC- What Parents Need to Know [parentsagainstvaping.org] and CDC Tips For Protecting Youth From the Harms of Vaping [cdc.gov]

FDA- Tobacco Education Resource Library [digitalmedia.hhs.gov]

 

OPI TUPE (Tobacco Use Prevention Education) wants to visit your school during the ‘25-’26 school year! Please contact us at: Vaping Prevention Presentation Inquiry '25-26 to schedule. We offer age-appropriate presentations for grades four through 12. Sessions typically run 45-55 minutes but can be tailored to your bell schedule. Fewer than 50 students per session allows for better engagement but we will accommodate your needs. We can provide several sessions per day. We also offer faculty/staff presentations. Teachers can earn one PDU for a one-hour session. 

 

AED Reimbursement Program

In 2025, the Montana Legislature passed HB 869, which appropriated a grant fund for school districts for reimbursement of the purchase and ongoing maintenance of automatic external defibrillators (AED).

The grant program shall provide a reimbursement of $1 for every $1 paid by a school district up to a maximum state contribution of $700 per AED. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis in two grant periods. The first grant application period closes October 15th, and each school district can reimburse up to $700 in the first grant application period for an AED or AED maintenance. Any remaining funds will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis in the second grant application period. The second application period opens January 15th and closes March 15th.

Reimbursement requests will be reviewed monthly after the 15th of each month, with reimbursement sent to districts by the 15th of the following month. School districts will be notified of eligible or non-eligible reimbursement submissions.

Application: https://montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tRlBi8bjsV3t7E

Questions? Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Chief Program Officer, christy.mock-stutz@mt.gov  Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Director, katie.bloodgood@mt.gov

	Open Date	Close date	Restrictions
Grant Window 1	July 18	October 15	Each school district can reimburse up to $700.
Grant Window 2	January 15	March 15	First come first until funds are exhausted. *up to $700 per AED