Youth Vaping Prevention Program Launches in Sullivan County

Sullivan 180 recently held a training for educators, school nurses, school resource officers, and community members to become facilitators of the evidence-based CATCH My Breath Vaping Prevention Program. These facilitators are now able to access the complete curriculum and guide young people, grades 5 – 12, through a program that is known to reduce the chances of youth starting a lifelong addiction to nicotine.

The presentation also partnering organizations from Garnet Health, the Center for a Tobacco Free Hudson Valley – American Lung Association, Tobacco Free Action Communities Reality Check Youth Engagement Program, and Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster. Facilitators gained a toolkit of resources to implement in their schools and communities. Educators will receive CTLE’s for completing this training thanks to an agreement with Sullivan BOCES.

CATCH My Breath is currently being implemented at Sullivan BOCES in their alternative education program. For the past 6 weeks, BOCES students have been learning the curriculum and have shown interests in understanding the marketing tactics of the vaping industry, the dangers of vapes and e-cigarettes, and stress relief resources to handle their busy lives as students. Last Friday, November 17th, the students participated in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout where they joined thousands across the county in taking an important step toward a smoke-free life. Students assembled “quit kits”, filled with anxiety and stress relief items, mints and candies, and quitting resources, to distribute to their peers and family members.

The CATCH My Breath program can be presented to school, organization, or youth groups. For additional information and scheduling, contact Nicole Blais, Sullivan 180 Prevention Coordinator at nicole@sullivan180.org or 845-295-2684.