Introducing the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Board

Summer is one of the highest-risk seasons for underage drinking. Research shows the rate of youth trying alcohol for the first time more than doubles in June and July compared to the rest of the year. Unstructured free time, increased social gatherings, and graduation/summer parties all create conditions where alcohol is more accessible, and peer pressure intensifies.

Understanding the scope of this issue is the first step toward prevention. Get the full picture on underage drinking by visiting the NIAAA's resource page.

The new fiscal year has arrived, and professional development budgets are fresh! That means now is the perfect time to secure your spot at this year's Connections in Prevention conference, October 29-30 in Springfield, IL.

If you need backup, our CIP2026 Attendee Justification Toolkit has everything you need to get your attendance approved: a supervisor letter template, cost worksheet, talking points, and detailed conference agenda. We've done the legwork so you can make the ask with confidence!

Throughout July, Prevention First will be elevating NHTSA's Speeding Catches Up With You campaign, which reminds us that speed is one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make; the faster you go, the less time you have to react, and the worse a crash becomes. Impaired driving amplifies these dangers, slowing reaction time and creating false confidence behind the wheel.

When it comes to roadway safety, our speed, focus, and lights all matter. A growing threat called ghosting — speeding at night with headlights off — makes vehicles virtually invisible to other drivers. Learn more about what Illinois is doing to prevent it.

July Focus: Community, Connection, & Youth Empowerment

July offers an opportunity to celebrate community, independence, and the collective responsibility we share in creating safe and supportive environments for young people. As we recognize Independence Day, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Summer Learning Week, we are reminded that strong communities are built through connection, opportunity, and youth investment.

Summer and out-of-school time programs give young people safe spaces to learn, connect, and thrive, while giving families peace of mind. As youth development professionals dedicate their time to supporting young people throughout the summer, we encourage you to take advantage of our flexible online training opportunities whenever your schedule allows. 

RYD provides training and technical assistance funded by the IDHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. For more information, contact us at rydteam@prevention.org. 

What Doesn't Work in Prevention

Effective prevention isn't just about doing more. It's about doing what works. Some well-intentioned strategies can fall short or even create unintended consequences that set communities back. Understanding the difference is essential to building prevention efforts that actually move the needle, so your community can invest its time and resources where they'll have the greatest impact.

In this recorded webinar, Kris Reed, Co-Director of the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center, breaks down effective and ineffective prevention efforts.

APRC Planning Guides

Have you seen the two updated APRC planning guides? The Policy Adoption Advocacy Plan and the Policy Implementation & Enforcement Plan guides can help communities and coalitions plan solutions to prevent youth alcohol use. These planning guides are available as fillable downloads or hard copies.

To request your copies, please contact the APRC at aprc@prevention.org. 

Cannabis Rescheduling Fact Sheet

The recent rescheduling of medical cannabis has sparked questions among those who work throughout the prevention continuum. The Cannabis Regulators Association developed an excellent resource that offers background information, explains who may be affected, provides potential next steps, and answers several FAQs.

To stay up to date on cannabis rescheduling updates, join the CPRC's email list.

Harm Reduction ECHO – Sustainability: Building Capacity & Resilience

Live Webinar | July 14, 2026

Sustainability is key to ensuring that harm reduction and opioid overdoses and prevention strategies continue to provide hope and healing in communities and populations of need, regardless of funding insecurity, challenging political climates, and societal norms. Those who seek to find and sustain funding sources will greatly benefit from the session.

OLRC Success Labs – Session 5:

Building Stronger Teams Through Inclusive Practices

Live Webinar | July 22, 2026

In this webinar, participants will explore practical strategies for building inclusive, high-performing teams, from recognizing everyday bias to strengthening cultural awareness and communication across diverse workplaces.