MONTEREY COUNTY — Montage Health Foundation has been awarded a $1.56 million, three-year contract from the Monterey County Health Department to launch a new opioid and substance use prevention education initiative for Monterey County youth.
Approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors in April, the program will begin this fall and is designed to address rising concerns about opioids, such as fentanyl and other substances impacting young people today.
“When young people are empowered to lead, we create stronger, healthier communities for everyone,” said Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, the County’s director of health services. “Through our partnership with Montage Health, this initiative creates opportunities for youth to engage in open conversations, build meaningful connections and become champions for substance use prevention among their peers. Together, we’re investing in the well-being of our youth and helping ensure they have the support, knowledge and confidence to make healthy choices.”
Developed in partnership with the County Health Department, this initiative aligns with and is supported by the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) and the Safe and Healthy Schools coalition. The initiative will deliver peer-led, age-appropriate drug prevention education to eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students across the county.
The program will be offered in collaboration with Stanford’s REACH curriculum team and implemented following California and National Health Education Standards and AB 2429 opioid prevention education requirements.
“MCOE is proud to partner with Montage Health on this important work,” said Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss. “This initiative strengthens the safety and well-being of our school communities by giving students the knowledge and support they need to make healthy choices. It’s a powerful example of how collaboration can positively impact families across Monterey County.”
Montage Health brings deep experience to this effort through its longstanding drug and alcohol prevention programming in schools and its strong commitment to youth leadership in substance-use education. For years, Montage Health has partnered with educators to empower students as trusted peer leaders.
This expertise is strengthened by the clinical leadership of Ohana, Montage Health’s youth and family mental health program. Ohana’s clinicians work daily with young people and families navigating substance use, mental health challenges and the pressures facing today’s youth, making this initiative a natural extension of Montage Health’s commitment to prevention and early intervention.
“Our mission is to improve lives, and there is no better place to start than by educating and protecting our youth,” said Kevin Causey, president of Montage Health Foundation. “This initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating safer, healthier futures for young people across Monterey County. Montage Health is proud to partner with the county and local schools to bring evidence-based, youth-centered education directly into classrooms.”
Together, this foundation of school-based programming, youth-led drug prevention and clinical expertise positions Montage Health and its partners to deliver meaningful education that supports the health and well-being of students across Monterey County.
Program overview
Over the course of one academic year, trained student-peer educators will deliver workshops during regular instructional time, such as health classes, extended learning opportunity time or FLEX/advisory periods, at no cost to students at participating schools. The peer-to-peer model is designed to create a relatable, engaging environment that encourages open conversation and informed decision-making.
Through this program, students will learn about opioids, such as fentanyl, and substance use risk, build decision-making and refusal skills, and strengthen protective factors that support healthy choices.
“Our goal is to create a safe, informed environment where youth, parents and school personnel can talk openly about substances, mental health and healthy lifestyle choices,” said Yasmine Elsherbini, director of Montage Health’s Community Health and Wellness Department and leader of the new initiative.
The program will recruit and train student leaders to deliver drug prevention education in 20 schools, reaching more than 100 classrooms each year while also providing teacher-led curriculum, training, evaluation and technical support as the peer-led model is developed. Schools will have access to $1,500 in grants to support policy or environmental changes that reduce opioid misuse and overdose, and students interested in starting drug-prevention clubs will receive guidance and support.
In addition, the initiative will host countywide symposia for students, parents and school personnel to strengthen community awareness and engagement.
Montage Health invites schools to partner in bringing peer-led drug prevention education to their eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students. Schools interested in participating or learning more may contact Montage Health Community Health Liaison Rowena Killens at ro************@***********th.org or 831-644-7447.
