This track introduces the science behind school-based prevention interventions and policies, and the methods used to improve school climate, strengthen policies, and intervene directly with classroom prevention interventions. It provides one track for administrators on effective planning and strategies for addressing school policy and climate; and a second track for teachers primarily on classroom interventions. The eight courses in the track are as follows:
UPC 21: Role of Schools in Prevention
This course provides the background information and skills about evidence-based substance use prevention in the school setting. It also builds a knowledge and skill base for school staff to implement and sustain substance use prevention programming in schools.
UPC 22: Building Teams for Comprehensive School- Based Prevention
This course describes how to develop and contribute to the Prevention Leadership Action Team (PLAT) that will be responsible for implementing Evidence-based Prevention Interventions (EBIs) in the school. The PLAT is the infrastructure that will support the selection, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive substance use prevention initiatives.
UPC 23: Creating Substance Use Prevention Policies in Schools
This course focuses on the process for examining school policy and how to include stakeholders in the policy development and implementation process.
UPC 24: Creating A School Prevention Climate
This course explores the concept of a school prevention climate and how that positively affects learning and helps prevent problem behaviour, including substance use.
UPC 25: Selecting Evidence-Based School Prevention Curricula
This course describes how to match the needs and climate of the school and classroom to the specific focus of these evidence-based interventions.
UPC 26: Action Planning to Create a Comprehensive Substance Use Prevention Initiative
This course outlines the cyclical implementation process that the Prevention Leadership Action Team can use to successfully implement programmes, as well as policies and practices to help children and youth make positive decisions about substances.
UPC 27: Positive Classroom Climate
This course describes how to create a positive engaging, protective environment in the classroom regardless of what prevention programme is selected. Such an environment facilitates learning and helps students connect to the goals of the school. It also provides an opportunity to work in teams and practice skills during this course.
UPC 28: Interactive Teaching Skills
This course focuses on interactive teaching skills, including modelling and practicing these skills during the training sessions.