Substance Use Prevention Is A Priority In Southington
Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) is our community’s substance use prevention coalition.
Our Mission
STEPS makes prevention a priority in our community through education, work to limit 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 cultivate youth that are caring, competent, successful, and substance free.
We believe it takes a village to ensure the success of youth in our community. In Southington, our village is a collaboration between students, parents, educators, media, clergy, law enforcement, businesses, and other community stakeholders.
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 a STEPS Youth Council and a classroom-based curriculum to improve student health and safety.
Our Story
STEPS programs have a track record of success for 15+ years. We are proud of the clear impact on the Southington community.
A Visual History of STEPS
Take a look at some of the milestone moments that helped define our vision over the past 15 years.
Search for a Solution
A series of youth suicides in Southington push a small group of concerned citizens to engage a community-wide coalition of all sectors of the town to research a solution.
STEPS “Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success” is born
Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) is born. Kelly (Berkmoes) Leppard is hired as its first Youth Prevention Coordinator.
Four key areas of focus were identified for STEPS to focus on: tobacco and cigarettes (vaping products added later); alcohol; marijuana; and prescription medications (including opioids).
STEPS launches biennial surveys of 7, 9, and 11 graders who attend Southington Public Schools to discover use rates, attitudes, and perceptions of substances.
ABC Initiative is Introduced
The first Asset Building Classroom (ABC) program is introduced in Southington Public Schools.
The STEPS Youth Council launches.
Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant
STEPS secures a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant for five years at $125,000 per year.
Prescription Medication Drop Box
STEPS installs a permanent Prescription Medication Drop Box at the Southington Police Department.
STEPS “84 Campaign”
STEPS advocates for two new local ordinances that pass:
- Tobacco delivery products must be placed behind the counters in all convenience stores
- Local establishments that advertise alcohol sales must include the statement “We ID and require proof of age 21 and over.”
STEPS secures a second Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant for an additional five years at $125,000 per year.
STEPS Purchases Breathalyzers
STEPS purchases breathalyzers for Southington High School to deter student drinking at school dances, proms and other social gatherings.
A BIG Win for STEPS
STEPS wins Coalition of the Year from the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals.
STEPS launches a PSA on vaping ingredients and their harmful effects.
Taking Action Against Vaping and Alcohol
STEPS is one of the first coalitions in the state to start tracking vaping incidents within high schools and middle schools and implement school policy changes for anyone caught in violation of the school tolerance policies.
STEPS launches its own vaping intervention groups and presents to statewide groups about this initiative.
STEPS creates and launches its own STEPS Liquor Stickers® and begins a trademark process with the UCONN School of Law.
Multiple Milestones in 2019
In October, STEPS leads an effort that results in Southington becoming the fourth municipality in Connecticut to pass Tobacco 21, which makes it law that you must be 21 to purchase tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vaping products in Connecticut.
STEPS launches its Don’t Trash Your Stash campaign with a local refuse company.
STEPS launches a PSA on prescription medications.
The town of Southington fully funds and sustains a full-time Youth Prevention Coordinator position, which shows the impact that STEPS has on the community.
STEPS Liquor Stickers® and more!
STEPS secures the trademark for its STEPS Liquor Stickers®.
STEPS launches a partnership with Southington Police Department to present classroom-based lessons on the risks of vaping.
STEPS creates an idea to develop its own customized curriculum on youth prevention and safety.
Funding and a New Team Member
STEPS receives funding from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction services (DMHAS) through its Prevention in Connecticut Communities (PCC) grant.
STEPS hires Kristin Sandler as its new Outreach Coordinator.
Search for a Solution
A series of youth suicides in Southington push a small group of concerned citizens to engage a community-wide coalition of all sectors of the town to research a solution.
STEPS “Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success” is born
Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) is born. Kelly (Berkmoes) Leppard is hired as its first Youth Prevention Coordinator.
Four key areas of focus were identified for STEPS to focus on: tobacco and cigarettes (vaping products added later); alcohol; marijuana; and prescription medications (including opioids).
STEPS launches biennial surveys of 7, 9, and 11 graders who attend Southington Public Schools to discover use rates, attitudes, and perceptions of substances.
ABC Initiative is Introduced
The first Asset Building Classroom (ABC) program is introduced in Southington Public Schools.
The STEPS Youth Council launches.
Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant
STEPS secures a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant for five years at $125,000 per year.
Prescription Medication Drop Box
STEPS installs a permanent Prescription Medication Drop Box at the Southington Police Department.
STEPS “84 Campaign”
STEPS advocates for two new local ordinances that pass:
- Tobacco delivery products must be placed behind the counters in all convenience stores
- Local establishments that advertise alcohol sales must include the statement “We ID and require proof of age 21 and over.”
STEPS secures a second Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant for an additional five years at $125,000 per year.STEPS Purchases Breathalyzers
STEPS purchases breathalyzers for Southington High School to deter student drinking at school dances, proms and other social gatherings.
A BIG Win for STEPS
STEPS wins Coalition of the Year from the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals.
STEPS launches a PSA on vaping ingredients and their harmful effects.
Taking Action Against Vaping and Alcohol
STEPS is one of the first coalitions in the state to start tracking vaping incidents within high schools and middle schools and implement school policy changes for anyone caught in violation of the school tolerance policies.
STEPS launches its own vaping intervention groups and presents to statewide groups about this initiative.
STEPS creates and launches its own STEPS Liquor Stickers® and begins a trademark process with the UCONN School of Law.
Multiple Milestones in 2019
In October, STEPS leads an effort that results in Southington becoming the fourth municipality in Connecticut to pass Tobacco 21, which makes it law that you must be 21 to purchase tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or vaping products in Connecticut.
STEPS launches its Don’t Trash Your Stash campaign with a local refuse company.
STEPS launches a PSA on prescription medications.
The town of Southington fully funds and sustains a full-time Youth Prevention Coordinator position, which shows the impact that STEPS has on the community.
STEPS Liquor Stickers® and more!
STEPS secures the trademark for its STEPS Liquor Stickers®.
STEPS launches a partnership with Southington Police Department to present classroom-based lessons on the risks of vaping.
STEPS creates an idea to develop its own customized curriculum on youth prevention and safety.
Funding and a New Team Member
STEPS receives funding from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction services (DMHAS) through its Prevention in Connecticut Communities (PCC) grant.
STEPS hires Kristin Sandler as its new Outreach Coordinator.
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Get updates from STEPS
Stay informed about our latest prevention efforts, news, and events.
STEPS Youth Council
The STEPS Youth Council is a group of Southington students that ranges from grades 7 through 12. They work together on projects in substance use prevention in our schools and the wider community.
The Youth Council application period is May-June.
