FOCUS Monthly Newsletter
March 2025

The DEADLINE is coming soon - March 28!


2025 Difference Maker

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN for the 2025 "Difference Maker of the Year!" The Facilitator chosen as the "Difference Maker" will receive $1,000 cash to be used however they choose. The "Difference Maker" will be chosen based on their school's activities, their level of involvement with FOCUS, and the creation of successful prevention activities and events. All nominations must be received by 5:00pm on March 28, 2025.


Click the button below for more information or to nominate a Difference Maker!

Nominate a Difference Maker!

FOCUS Facilitator Portal Resources

We believe that the most effective prevention starts with students themselves. That's why we're offering free resources to support student-led initiatives that prevent adolescent risk behaviors. Our resources include:

  • Let's Talk About Fentanyl (Slides)
  • The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health (Slides)
  • HERO Leadership Training Videos
  • Vaping-Student Presentation and Adult Presentation
  • Focus Group Training Slides
  • Peer Mentor Training
  • HIV Teacher Training Slides
  • Character Traits and Quote
  • FOCUS Extracurricular Implementation Slides
  • ........AND MORE!


To access your free prevention resources:

  1. Go to www.thefocusprogram.com
  2. Click on FOCUS Facilitator Login
  3. Enter the Password you received in your registration confirmation email (Contact afreitag@thefocusprogram.com for assistance.)


Thank you for your commitment to student well-being. Together, we can make a difference!

Join us at Railroad Park on Tuesday, March 18, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for Resources at Railroad, a Community Mental Health and Wellness Fair! This event brings together school mental health coordinators and community partners to promote wellness and provide valuable resources to support mental health. Don’t miss out on this meaningful community gathering at Railroad Park - your well-being matters! FOCUS, in collaboration with the Hewitt Trussville High School FOCUS students, will be exhibiting at this event.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

March 17-23, 2025

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is a national, week-long health observance that focuses on the science of drug use and addiction while educating and empowering youth to make healthy, informed decisions. As you and your students plan for this important health observance, we encourage you to use the FOCUS Event Project Plan found in the facilitator portal.

 

The National Institute On Drug Abuse has excellent resources that include activities, videos and Kahoot quizzes on topics including overdose, stress, addiction, alcohol, tobacco and more. Teacher resources are provided at no cost. Visit https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week for more information about this annual event as well as how to plan, register and implement your event.

 

In addition to NIDA, the nonprofit organization, Foundation For A Drug-Free World, has free materials with factual information about drugs. Their goal is to empower youth to make the choice to live drug-free https://www.drugfreeworld.org/. If you visit their website, you will find videos and e-courses ready to use. The videos include people who have survived drug abuse, and they share their personal experiences. To get started, you can begin your lessons with one of their public service announcements or videos, discuss as a class, and then break into focus groups. Each focus group could complete the e-course together. This format would also work well when Peer Mentors/Helpers present to younger students.

 

As always, please send pictures and project descriptions to us so your group can be featured in our upcoming newsletter. We love sharing how you and your students Make A Difference on campus!

Have you ever watched a team rally together, turning a game around in the final seconds for the win?


Those moments aren’t just magic on the field - they’re a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we show up for one another.

As a sportscaster, I’ve seen incredible moments when athletes come together, lifting each other up to achieve something greater than themselves.


But it’s not just on the field where teams make a difference.

In our personal lives, our teams—our families, friends, and communities—play a pivotal role in how we navigate life’s challenges.


After losing my brother this fall, my personal team became my anchor. From friends who checked in just to say, “I’m thinking of you,” to colleagues who gave me space to process, each person reminded me of the strength found in community.


Here’s what I’ve learned about building and leaning on your team:


  1. It’s OK to ask for help. Whether it’s a teammate on the field or a friend in your corner, people want to support you. Let them. You may even become a blessing to them.
  2. Celebrate small victories. Every milestone, like getting through a tough day or completing a challenging project, deserves to be celebrated. These moments remind us of the progress we’ve made together.
  3. Be someone else’s MVP. Show up for the people around you. Sometimes, just listening can make all the difference.

No one gets through life alone, and the beauty of a strong team is that we can share the load, cheer each other on, and remind one another of the light ahead.


So today, take a moment to think about your team. Who are the people helping you through life’s game? And how can you show up for them in return? Consider reaching out to someone on your team—whether it’s to thank them, check in, or offer support. Those small moments of connection can mean the world.


With gratitude,

Lauren

Help Starts Here

211 Connects Alabama


Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a trained operator 24/7 that has access to a comprehensive database with a multitude of services in your community. 

Click Here to Learn More

Nominations are now open for FOCUS Student of the Month!

Students are Making A Difference each day in your schools, and we would love to feature one each month in our newsletter. If you wish to nominate a student, then please email amymccreless@thefocusprogram.com. We will need the following information to share:



  • Name of student, school and grade level
  • Picture of student 
  • Why they stand out as a FOCUS leader in your school
  • Hobbies or interests
  • Include a quote in which they explain what they love most about FOCUS, how it has made an impact in their life or their goal as a FOCUS member


Click Here to Learn More

Monthly Health Observances

We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. Each month has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.


March

  • 1-31: National Cheerleader Safety Month
  • 1-31: National Nutrition Month
  • 1-31: Save Your Vision Month
  • 4-8: National School Breakfast Week
  • 11-17: Brain Awareness Week
  • 11-17: National Sleep Awareness Week
  • 18-24: Poison Prevention Week


April

  • 1-30: Alcohol Awareness Month
  • 1-30: National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
  • 1-30: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
  • 1-30: STI Awareness Month
  • 1-7: National Public Health Week – Healthiest Nation 2030: Changing Our Future Together
  • 7: World Health Day
  • 8-12: National Youth Violence Prevention Week
  • 10: National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day


COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS


FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.

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