Our Mission
STEPS makes prevention a priority in our community through education, limiting access, and advocacy for policy change.
Our prevention work focuses on underage drinking, tobacco/vaping, cannabis/marijuana use, prescription drug misuse, and more. We believe that positive youth development is an essential building block to create generations of youth that are caring, competent, successful, and substance free.
Our Focus on Youth
STEPS was founded in 2007 with a mission to help our youth grow up to be caring, competent and successful. We develop programs and opportunities for young people to step up and showcase their best selves.
STEPS partners with Southington Public Schools to follow an Asset Building Classrooms (ABC) model. We also have STEPS Youth Council leadership opportunities, a youth community service initiative, and a classroom-based curriculum to improve student health and safety.
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Stay informed about our latest prevention efforts, news, and events.
Our Prevention Efforts
Our work in Southington to keep young people healthy and safe is a top priority. Data shows that substance use at a young age can lead to:
All these reasons are why substance use prevention among young people is so important. Take a moment to learn more about our work in Southington right now.
Calling all high school artists! Southington Youth Services is looking for artists of all skill levels to join their Mural Arts Program.
The program gives young artists a chance to showcase their skills in collaboration with other talented students. Local professional artists will offer mentorship and resources to support the creation of a mural that reflects the spirit of our town.
Sign up here for more info: www.signupforms.com/registrations/41151 ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re beyond proud to stand alongside such a dedicated group of prevention professionals! Each one is a champion of their community, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives that inspire and strengthen our work.
Thanks to our PCC grant, STEPS has launched initiatives like the “It’s Not Cheesy” campaign and Prom Perfectly, while building stronger partnerships within our community. We set a goal to reduce underage alcohol use by 5%, and thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, we've exceeded it with a 6.4% decrease! From 14% in 2020 to 13.1% in 2024, we're making real progress. By 2026, we aim to reach just 12.5%.
Together, we are "growing great kids" and building a healthier future!⭐️DMHAS funded Prevention in CT Communities (PCC) and Partnerships for Success (PFS) Prevention Program Coordinators and Evaluators gathered last week with 20 community partners to reconnect, strategize, set goals and share innovative strategies to reduce underage drinking prevention among youth and young adults in the community! The energy, collaboration, and passion at this meeting reflects a shared commitment to creating a safer, healthier CT!💪⭐️
Towns Represented: Ansonia, Bolton, Burlington, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, East Windsor, Ellington, Groton, Haddam, Harwinton, Killingworth, Middletown, New Haven, Southbury, Southington, Stamford, Thomaston, Windham.
#PreventionHappensHereCT #LetsMentionPrevention ... See MoreSee Less
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Wonderful work!!! Thank you!!! ❤️
Such wonderful work!!!
Love this!
Go team!
Southington Youth Services introduces the next in a series of parent education workshops: Deep Listening for Peaceful Parenting!
This two part series will be held via Zoom on March 5 + 19. Sign up online at www.signupforms.com/registrations/40888 to receive the link.
Learn more about Southington Youth Services at southington.org. ... See MoreSee Less
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Sure to be a fun day of family fun! ... See MoreSee Less
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Grateful doesn't even begin to cover how we feel about the generous support STEPS received from the the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation for our expanded Asset Building Classrooms program! We would not have been able to secure this funding without our valuable partnership from the Southington Education Foundation, Inc. SEF also supported this project through a generous donation of Mood Meter and Class Charter posters for every classroom at all eight Southington elementary schools.
Our expanded ABC program bring lessons about developmental assets, emotional regulation, kindness, role models, and more into every classroom. We kicked off this year with weekly lessons in grades K - 5 at every elementary school, and next year we'll see monthly topics at the middle and high schools! ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations on a well deserved achievement
You deserve it with all the hard work you've committed to your community. Congratulations on a job well done!!! 🎶🥳
Wow! Great stuff! Incredibly generous! Outstanding partnership. Inspiring leaders in this picture! Well done Southington STEPS Coalition
🙌🏼
Awesome!
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Over the last few weeks, our STEPS Youth Council members have been hard at work advocating for age restrictions on the sale of kratom. Kratom is a substance that comes from the leaves of a plant that grows in southeast Asia. In some forms, kratom can be addictive and have effects similar to opiates (e.g. morphine, heroin). This earned kratom the nickname "gas station heroin". In CT it can be found at vape shops, corner stores, and gas stations; sold without minimum age requirements.
Youth Council members wrote a letter to our Southington legislative delegation, and in response State Representative Chris Poulos proposed a bill to limit sales of kratom to those age 21 and older. State Representative Rebecca Martinez is a co-sponsor of the bill. Last night Rep. Poulos joined us at a Youth Council meeting to learn more about kratom and answer our questions about the legislative process.
The support of adults like Rep. Poulos is a major protective factor for our youth! It starts a chain reaction of positive decisions and empowers them to change their community. Thank you State Representative Chris Poulos for being part of Southington's safety net for youth! ... See MoreSee Less
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I’ve been studying the science behind kratom for 11 years and just participated in the University of Florida Research Center’s Kratom Science Symposium (Feb 4-7). The entire focus was on the latest research and regulatory recommendations, and **not one expert** there supported a ban. The consensus? Kratom should be regulated as a supplement, with age restrictions and standard testing for adulteration—**not prohibited.** I encourage you to consider the science and input from researchers who have dedicated their careers to studying kratom. To get an idea of what the actual experts are saying, here’s the link to what we discussed And I have a lot of the science on my page. pharmacy.ufl.edu/international-kratom-symposium/