Foundation Fighting Youth Substance Abuse Names Howell Super To Board

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township Schools Superintendent Joseph Isola has been appointed to the board of an organization working to help children and teens avoid the dangers of substance abuse.

The Tigger Stavola Foundation, based in Red Bank, which is "dedicated to fighting addiction, spreading awareness and saving lives through drug prevention education," said Isola was appointed to its volunteer advisory board earlier in March.

"We are thrilled to welcome Superintendent Isola to our Advisory Board," said Lisa Stavola, the foundation's executive director. "His insight as both an educator and an advocate for mental health aligns perfectly with our efforts to end the stigma surrounding talking about addiction. His understanding that this disease does not discriminate will help save our children’s lives."

Isola has worked in the Howell schools for 20 years. He was principal at Howell Middle School North for seven years beginning in 2004, and served as an assistant superintendent before being named superintendent in 2014.

Isola has been honored as Monmouth County Superintendent of the Year, in 2020, and the New Jersey Association for School Administrators Central Regional Superintendent of the Year, in 2021.

"He also envisioned and launched the Monmouth County Schools Partnership for Wellness, a collective of nearly 60 school districts focusing on social and emotional wellness and mental health for students, staff and communities," the foundation said in announcing his appointment.

"The Tigger Stavola Foundation is providing the resources educators need to engage with kids about the dangers of substance use," Isola said. "I’m very motivated to help further its mission and excited to introduce LED by Tigger to area schools."

LED (Leadership, Education, Drug Prevention) by Tigger is a mobile engagement tool that helps kids in eighth through 12th grade "make smarter, informed decisions in difficult situations," the foundation said.

The LED program is text message-based and provides facts about vaping, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Subscribers receive links to articles, videos, music, even meditations and gift cards to Dunkin’, Chipotle and Jersey Mike’s Subs for participation.

While kids don’t need parental consent to sign up, parents are notified when they subscribe. To sign up, text TIGGER to 43386.

The foundation is named for Tigger Stavola, who grew up at the Jersey Shore and died at age 25 due to an accidental overdose.

"(He was) known for his kind heart, loving soul and for always helping the underdog," the foundation said.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission it is to fight addiction, spread awareness and save lives through drug prevention and education. It says it has reached more than 70,000 local students with its education campaign on the dangers of substance use.

It also partners with Hackensack Meridien Carrier Clinic to provide 24/7 addiction navigation services. Visit www.tiggerstavolafoundation.org for more information.