Prevention Action Alliance

MEB: Ohio has a need to expand the utilization of MEB EBP Curriculums across the state. This project will allow the state to provide ongoing support to those teachers trained and implementing the PAX GBG and provide training resources for ancillary staff and community support workers. Prevention Action Alliance will strengthen Ohio's infrastructure by coordinating training activities for: 1. PAX Tools Community and Human Service Workers, 2. PAX Heroes and 3. DBT Skills Steps A Training. Any teacher who has previously been certified in the PAX Good Behavior Game will be targeted for participation in the PAX Heroes training, while other student serving personnel will be invited to participate in PAX Tools Community and Human Service Workers training series. The 80 pilot schools participating in the Ohio Student Wellness Initiative will be targeted for the DBT Skills- Steps A training. In FY23, the organization received an additional grant for MEB expansion/Statewide Marijuana Campaign for $2M from OhioMHAS grant number 2300686.

Problem gambling intervention: With the introduction of casino and other forms of gambling in the state of Ohio, efforts are being continued to keep problem gambling at bay. PAA will build upon the prevention work that has been established: ongoing state wide trainings that increase knowledge of the evolving gambling environments; empowerment of community coalitions to expand prevention efforts to include problem gambling and provision of evidence based tools to utilize; and resources and guidelines for community coalition use. Efforts will be made to continue the evaluation of "Smart Bet" as well as "Campus Cents" by working with stakeholders to gather additional data and position both programs as evidence based programs.

Problem gambling awareness: With the advent of casino and other forms of gambling in the state of Ohio, a great effort must continue to keep problem gambling at bay. PAA will build upon the award winning, prevention/awareness public health campaign in which it has been entrusted. This campaign provides positive messages to bring awareness and interactively engages the public to know the signs of problem gambling and the steps needed to reduce the risks.