Governor’s Prevention Partnership

Program Overview and Background

The goals and objectives of New Haven Mentoring with NIA project are designed to strengthen prevention efforts, including increasing perception of harm and involvement in pro–social activities, and serving students who need additional support services. With funding from OJJDP, The Partnership will implement the New Haven Mentoring with NIA project for youth impacted by opioids. We aim to bolster protective factors against opioid use, as well as increase the likelihood of youth developing healthy attitudes and behaviors as they grow.

Program Services

Youth from Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecticut will participate in one–on–one school–based mentoring relationships, peer–to–peer leadership opportunities, treatment, relapse and recovery referral and other support services.

New Haven Mentoring with NIA will employ a three–tiered prevention approach. The Tier I environmental strategy will use an emerging practice through The Partnership’s E3 (Encourage, Empower and Engage) substance abuse prevention program designed to raise awareness and increase the perception of harm of drugs and alcohol at both the school and community level. All students at Hillhouse High School will be exposed to school–wide prevention messages and campaigns facilitated by selected peer leaders. Tier II will focus on 9th grade students using an individual strategy through one–on–one mentoring which will connect with students who have been impacted by opioids, but not currently using opioids as identified by school staff. Tier II students will also participate in E3 groups through interactive prevention activities facilitated by eleventh grade peer leaders. Tier III students identified
as in treatment, relapse, or recovery will receive services from the treatment organization and participate in one–on–one mentoring.

This year, we had many delays due to start–up and the pandemic significantly impacted referrals to mentoring and in–school grant activities. The original provider closed its mentoring program and a new provider has assumed the role on the grant.

Target Population

The New Haven Mentoring with NIA proposal targets 200 youth ages 13 to 17 in New Haven, Connecticut over three years who are affected by opioids in their community and in their families.