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.
POV you see STEPS on the news 👀
Thank you to NBC Connecticut for bringing attention to the major issues of retail access to vapes. ... See MoreSee Less
Vape stores reminded to ID customers to avoid selling to underage teens
www.nbcconnecticut.com
Teen vaping is a continued concern in Connecticut with youth finding many ways to access nicotine, even though it is illegal to sell to those under 21. The state does compliance checks at stores all o...Comment on Facebook
Last week we carried out another round of compliance checks in collaboration with Southington Police Department and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Unit. 🚨Six out of 12 Southington stores sold vapes to minors without asking for ID. 🚨
During compliance checks, trained minors attempt to purchase vape products without an ID. In the US, you must be 21+ to buy vape/tobacco products and in CT, everyone under age 30 must be asked for identification.
Find out which stores sold here below and tune in to NBC Connecticut to see a familiar STEPS face explaining more about the process. ... See MoreSee Less
Six CT businesses allegedly violate vape, tobacco laws by selling to customers under 21
www.courant.com
Compliance checks found that half of the 12 businesses inspected were allegedly willing to sell to a customer under 21 without an identification.Comment on Facebook
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Comment on Facebook
I completed the survey. Didn’t take very long. 😊
We had a great time presenting all about the penjamins at Southington Public Convocation PD today! We shared data from our student survey and explained recent trends in vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and inhalants. ... See MoreSee Less
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Dangerous viral trend alert: Galaxy Gas
As seen on Tik Tok and Snapchat, inhalants are making a comeback. Galaxy Gas is a brand of flavored whipped cream chargers that can be inhaled for a quick high. In Connecticut you must be 18+ to purchase.
Talk to your kids about the dangers of misusing these products, such as emotional dysregulation, dizziness, passing out, headaches, and irregular heart rhythm. Learn how to have these tough conversations using our It's Not Cheesy quiz at southingtonSTEPS.org/family ... See MoreSee Less
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Another amazing day in the books, this time at the CT Youth Services Association (CYSA) Annual Conference! We are proud beyond words of our Youth Peer Advocates Margaret, Ava, and Katie for presenting about the It’s Not Cheesy campaign that @stepsyouthcouncil developed last year!
STEPS is fortunate to have many youth leaders, including six current and former Youth Peer Advocates - paid positions with the coalition to spearhead Youth Council and other efforts at SHS. Stay tuned for the special things Paige, Ava, and Katie will be leading this year! ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations and well done!
Great job!
Awesome!!!
Excellent!