Southington Youth Group Honored For Substance Use Prevention Work

STEPS

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A prominent substance abuse prevention agency in Southington earned a major award at the state level earlier this month.

The STEPS Youth Council has been recognized with the prestigious "Prevention Impact Award" at the second annual Connecticut Prevention Summit on Sept. 9.

Presented by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Deputy Commissioner Colleen Harrington and Prevention and Health Promotion Division Director Sarju Shah, the award honors
organizations that have expanded the reach and effectiveness of prevention efforts in Connecticut.

The STEPS Youth Council earned this distinction for its "innovative and impactful prevention work,"
including:

• “It’s Not Cheesy to Talk to Your Kids” campaign, which encouraged open family conversations
about substance use.

• Legislative advocacy to limit youth access to kratom, a dangerous and unregulated substance.

• Leadership in youth prevention, serving as role models and collaborators with young leaders
across Connecticut.

The award was accepted on behalf of the council by Katherine Cavanaugh, Ava LeBlanc, and Jacqueline Liebler, all seniors at Southington High School and Youth Peer Advocates with STEPS.

These student leadership positions are funded through the DMHAS Prevention in Connecticut Communities grant and include participation in the statewide Youth Advisory Board through the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.

“This award reflects the passion, creativity, and determination of our young leaders,” said Kristin Sandler, STEPS Outreach Coordinator and advisor to Youth Council. “They are showing that prevention isn’t just something adults do for youth—it’s something youth are leading themselves.”

The STEPS Youth Council is a youth-led group dedicated to preventing substance use, promoting mental health, and creating a healthier community in Southington.

For more information about STEPS Youth Council, visit southingtonSTEPS.org.