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 Spring is here, and so is National Foster Care Month, SAMHSA's National Prevention Week toolkit and "Communities Talk" stipends, prevention curriculum and a PSA from Emily's Hope, and details on an upcoming conference hosted by Johnny's Ambassadors. Jump to the article below!
National Foster Care Month
National Prevention Week 2025
Apply for a 'Communities Talk' Planning Stipend
Emily's Hope Curriculum Available
Emily's Hope PSA
Johnny's Ambassadors Full Conference Agenda
We're Growing!
National Foster Care Month
 Did you know that, in less than a couple of decades, the share of foster care entrances caused by drug addiction more than doubled?
This May — National Foster Care Month — learn about this troubling phenomenon, which has impacted more than a million children, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics.
Then, spread the word about Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers. Promoted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this program provides housing assistance to youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.
National Prevention Week 2025
May also marks National Prevention Week, taking place May 11-17, 2025.
National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and misuse — and promoting positive mental health.
Check out resources offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including a planning toolkit, prevention activities like bingo and ad libs, and the #MyPreventionStory social media challenge.
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Apply for a 'Communities Talk' Planning Stipend
SAMHSA invites community-based organizations and institutions of higher education to apply for a Communities Talk planning stipend to help plan local events that advance conversations and community convenings on substance use prevention.
Organizations are encouraged to:
- Feature youth-led activities;
- Customize the event to meet the needs of their community;
- Plan and promote the event using resources on the Communities Talk website; and
- Apply by emailing info@communities-talk.com.
Planning stipends are limited, so apply early. Communities Talk aims to prevent alcohol and other drug misuse among youth and young adults in communities nationwide.
Emily's Hope Curriculum Available
 Emily’s Hope believes that prevention starts with education. That’s why they have developed a comprehensive, age-appropriate K–12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum that empowers students to make healthy choices, understand the risks of substance use, and develop lifelong resilience. The curriculum, created by founder Angela Kennecke’s in memory of her daughter Emily—who died from fentanyl poisoning at age 21—goes beyond scare tactics. It uses real science, relatable characters, and engaging activities to teach students how substances affect the brain and body. The lessons also promote mental health, self-advocacy, and safe decision-making, all while aligning with national health and counseling education standards. Already in use in dozens of schools across several states, the Emily’s Hope curriculum is designed to be both evidence-informed and accessible. Emily’s Hope provides training and resources for educators, and thanks to generous supporters, offer scholarships to help schools implement the program at no cost. To bring Emily’s Hope to your school community, visit emilyshopeedu.org or email contact@emilyshope.charity to learn more.
Emily's Hope PSA
As part of its Emily's Hope Youth Prevention Coalition, Emily’s Hope is producing a series of PSAs targeted to youth and parents about the dangers of fentanyl. This is their latest PSA airing on TV and social media. Feel free to share with your audiences, as well.
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Johnny's Ambassadors Full Conference Agenda Now Online
Johnny's Ambassadors Preventing THC Use in Teens Conference: Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The 4th Annual Conference features two full days of youth THC education and prevention training with renowned experts. Speakers will discuss the latest on teen THC use, addiction, psychosis, suicidality, mental illness, intervention, treatment, community activism, and more! This hybrid conference will be held IN PERSON in Lone Tree, CO, and LIVE STREAMED to virtual attendees. All attendees, live and virtual, will receive access to the recordings for an unlimited time to watch on your own time. If you are unavailable on these dates, select the livestream option, and you will receive the recordings.
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We’re Growing!
The Together for Families network now includes hundreds of organizations and individuals from across the United States. Please encourage families and community members concerned about substance use to sign up for updates.
Also, if you work with an organization that has a free resource, information or event that you want families to know about, encourage them to join the Together for Families network by e-mailing togetherforfamilies@dea.gov.
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