The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Prevention Resources for Schools webpage provides educators, prevention professionals, and youth-serving organizations with evidence-based tools, guidance, and strategies to support substance use prevention in school settings.  

The resource highlights school-based prevention programs, social and emotional learning (SEL), data-informed planning, and collaborative approaches that strengthen protective factors and improve student well-being.  

This resource is especially valuable for professionals across education, behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, public health, and community-based systems because it: 

• Supports implementation of evidence-based and developmentally appropriate prevention programs in K–12 settings.  

• Encourages the use of data, including the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), to guide prevention planning and decision-making.  

• Promotes collaboration between schools, prevention providers, county agencies, and community coalitions. 

• Highlights strategies that strengthen protective factors, student engagement, and school connectedness.  

• Provides practical tools and guidance that help schools improve behavioral health, academic outcomes, and overall student well-being. 

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs