Ocean County Prevention Hub
For youth and families to thrive in a safe and healthy environment, communities
must address the numerous risk factors that lead to the early use of alcohol
and other drugs, often the first step on a path to addiction.
The statewide system of Prevention Hubs provides evidence-based prevention education, interventions, strategies, and programs to support all sectors of our community, including youth, parents, schools, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, etc.
The Prevention Hub of Ocean County is hosted by RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery and connects residents and professionals with prevention resources and services, building resilience in our local communities.
Prevention Warmline
The Ocean County Prevention Warm Line is a clear connection point to access
both evidence-based prevention programs for youth and families, as well
as information and referral for those in need of assistance with navigating
local and state family support services being offered by the Prevention
Hub and beyond.
Trained staff are available on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to connect callers to local and state-level resources and other supportive services.
Individual and Family Programs
PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses personality-targeted
interventions to promote mental health and skill development and delay
youth substance use. PreVenture is designed to help at-risk youth ages
12-17 learn useful coping skills, set long-term goals, and channel their
personality towards achieving them. Prevention Hub staff is trained in
delivery of PreVenture and partners with Ocean County community-based
organizations to train staff and implement the PreVenture program in schools
and youth settings across the county.
LGBTQ+ Efforts - The PROUD Youth Prevention Network provides trainings and technical assistance focused on LGBTQ+ youth to improve prevention strategies and linkages to programs within the clinical, community, and school settings. This program also aims to increase the capacity of and collaboration between community and clinical agencies, programs, and services that serve LGBTQ+ youth and their families. We work to strengthen the network of services, resources, and partners that promote positive health outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people in Ocean County, as well as for our neighbors in the southern region of New Jersey.
Marijuana/Cannabis Education - Prevention Hub staff have extensive experience working with youth and
families on providing education on a range of topics related to substance
use, risk and protective factors, and community-based resources. Staff
are able to provide educational opportunities in a variety of settings
on marijuana/cannabis and the impact legalization will have on our youth
and communities.
Over-the-Counter Medications - Prevention Hub staff are trained to deliver a nationally recognized curriculum
developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and
Johnson & Johnson on the dangers of OTC medication use and how to
safely use and store these medications. Prevention Hub staff also provide
Medication Management presentations to older adult communities in Ocean
County. These presentations are available to youth, parents, older adults,
and the community at large.
Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an evidence-based family life skills program for high-risk families
that focuses on strengthening parenting skills and children’s social
skills. SFP helps parents build on their strengths in bonding and showing
love, giving positive attention, setting limits, and practicing mindfulness.
SFP helps youth develop skills for building positive future relationships,
resilience, problem solving, feeling identification, and peer resistance.
Prevention Hub staff is trained in facilitating the Strengthening Families Program.
Changing Systems to Promote Youth Wellness
School and Municipal Toolkits: Marijuana/Cannabis Policy Guidance - Reviewing policies and procedures regarding cannabis use has become
a critically important exercise for schools, law enforcement, and businesses.
The Prevention Hub assists these groups and community members in navigating
New Jersey’s new cannabis laws and their impact on youth, families,
and commerce. Prevention Hub staff can also provide technical assistance
to municipalities through the use of the Municipal Level Toolkit.
Promoting Screening - The Prevention Hub and its staff advocate for the use of state-of-the-art
screening tools to determine levels of risk in children and adolescents.
Staff can provide technical assistance and training opportunities on a
range of screening tools for schools, community-based organizations, and
community members.
For more information about the Ocean County Prevention Hub, please contact dart@rwjbh.org.
This project was supported by SABG Covid Supplement Grant TI083538 and the American Rescue Plan Act from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).