School year 2020-2021 was extraordinarily challenging for schools, educators, parents, and students. Youth were separated from friends, extracurricular activities, and classrooms. Additionally, students were distanced from essential school staff members who are sources of support, compassion, and encouragement. During this time, students have reported increased levels of stress and anxiety, interruptions in sleep and eating…
After a year of hard work, our Leaders of Future Generations students joined together for an exciting week full of opportunities to grow, build, strengthen friendships, and enjoy nature at Kids Kamp! During the week of June 21st through 25th, twenty-four students kicked off the summer at Innabah Camp & Retreat Center. Kids Kamp is…
Compass Mark has received a grant to offer free medication disposal bags to residents of Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester ounties, PA. Keeping unused or expired medications in your medicine cabinet can lead to misuse or accidental ingestion. The newest option for the disposal of unused and expired medications are medication disposal bags. We are now…
Compass Mark’s Josh Mountz has been selected to present at the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance’s statewide annual conference. During this year’s conference, Josh will be leading a workshop focused on problem gambling within our aging populations. Josh has worked as a Prevention Specialist for Compass Mark since 2014 and is also a member of our Student…
The Lancaster and Lebanon County Commissioners have proclaimed the week of May 9th through 15th, 2021 as “National Prevention Week” National Prevention Week (NPW) is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. NPW is a public education platform that promotes prevention year-round through providing ideas, capacity building,…
Through funding from the Lancaster Drug and Alcohol Commission, Compass Mark began a new program initiative designed to provide resources and technical assistance to grassroots organizations and coalitions throughout Lancaster County. The goal of this program is to actively facilitate the growth and expansion of community-based drug prevention activities at the local level. In addition,…
Leaders of Future Generations at Taylor Campus Middle School in Columbia Borough School District. Our Leaders of Future Generations program is now up and running in Columbia! Twelve 5th- and 6th-grade students participated and were incredibly enthusiastic to join in the fun! During the first session of 2021, the students collaborated to create their own…
Prevention of substance use and gambling disorders is NOT simply about telling kids not to do these things. Effective prevention starts with identifying what children and youth in the community need, and then meeting that need with research-backed strategies. Risk & Protective Factors: The Foundation for Effective Prevention Risk factors are those things that increase…
It may be a hard sell–in the middle of a public health pandemic, with an addiction crisis still looming–to get excited about prevention science. But we are always passionate about preventing substance misuse and problem gambling, and love to share that excitement with you. While coronavirus takes center stage, public health is always in the…