School year 2020-2021 was extraordinarily challenging for schools, educators, parents, and students. Youth were separated from friends, extracurricular activities, and classrooms. Additionally, students were distanced from essential school staff members who are sources of support, compassion, and encouragement. During this time, students have reported increased levels of stress and anxiety, interruptions in sleep and eating…
After a year of hard work, our Leaders of Future Generations students joined together for an exciting week full of opportunities to grow, build, strengthen friendships, and enjoy nature at Kids Kamp! During the week of June 21st through 25th, twenty-four students kicked off the summer at Innabah Camp & Retreat Center. Kids Kamp is…
Compass Mark’s Josh Mountz has been selected to present at the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance’s statewide annual conference. During this year’s conference, Josh will be leading a workshop focused on problem gambling within our aging populations. Josh has worked as a Prevention Specialist for Compass Mark since 2014 and is also a member of our Student…
Leaders of Future Generations at Taylor Campus Middle School in Columbia Borough School District. Our Leaders of Future Generations program is now up and running in Columbia! Twelve 5th- and 6th-grade students participated and were incredibly enthusiastic to join in the fun! During the first session of 2021, the students collaborated to create their own…
Prevention of substance use and gambling disorders is NOT simply about telling kids not to do these things. Effective prevention starts with identifying what children and youth in the community need, and then meeting that need with research-backed strategies. Risk & Protective Factors: The Foundation for Effective Prevention Risk factors are those things that increase…
It may be a hard sell–in the middle of a public health pandemic, with an addiction crisis still looming–to get excited about prevention science. But we are always passionate about preventing substance misuse and problem gambling, and love to share that excitement with you. While coronavirus takes center stage, public health is always in the…
Last month Compass Mark, in partnership with the Lancaster Lebanon IU13, held the annual Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) Summit. This event was designed to teach schools and administrators on how to integrate the PAYS substance use data in local planning. Summit attendees learned how to read and interpret the data, recognize, and address risk factors,…
Kids Kamp Continues! Leaders of Future Generations Embrace Change and Practice Resiliency This year has been filled with unprecedented challenges. At Compass Mark, we value resilience and weave this principle into each of our programs. This summer our Leaders of Future Generation program participants fully lived this value during their week at camp. In lieu…
An old-fashioned balance scale serves as a good metaphor for how we do addiction prevention. When our prevention specialists are out in the community, we’re asked some predictable questions about our work. Q: Are most kids using opioids? A: Definitely not. In both Lebanon & Lancaster Counties, less than 1% of kids have ever tried…