Tools & Resources · Kindergarten–Grade 12
Prevention Curriculum
A free, fully digital curriculum building positive lifestyle behaviors in students and families — substance use prevention, social & emotional learning, and personal health, wellness and nutrition, aligned to Connecticut’s Healthy & Balanced Living framework.
4
Grade bands, K–12
16
Ready-to-teach lessons
15–45
Minutes per session
100%
Printable — no materials to ship
What’s inside
Three content areas, taught the same way at every age
Every grade band follows an identical structure. A teacher moving from second grade to fifth, or a volunteer covering an after-school session, finds the same three strands and the same lesson shape.
Prevention
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs
Age-appropriate introductions to substances, how to talk about them, and how and why to go to a trusted adult.
- Age-appropriate substance introduction
- Conversation skills and trusted adults
- Sentence frames sent home for caregivers
SEL
Social & Emotional Learning
RULER-based lessons that work in the classroom and at home, using common language across both environments.
- Charter and Blueprint
- Meta-Moment
- Shared emotion vocabulary
Health & Nutrition
Personal Health, Wellness & Nutrition
MyPlate, hygiene and daily movement, with take-home materials showing healthy choices and alternatives.
- MyPlate and food groups
- Hygiene — brushing, bathing
- 30 minutes of movement a day
How it works
Built to be picked up and taught
1
Fully digital
Everything distributes from a shared folder. All printables or PDFs, so access doesn’t depend on the site, the teacher, or the volunteer.
2
One structure, K–12
The same shape at every age band increases fidelity of implementation and removes user error.
3
15 to 45 minutes
Room for teachable moments, with calm-down routines and movement breaks embedded to support participation.
4
Family involvement
Parent posts and take-home work let caregivers use the same verbiage students hear in class.
5
Informal assessment
Worksheets, draw-about-its and easy/hard quizzes double as a check on understanding and growth.
The lessons
Choose a grade band
Each lesson ships as a slide deck with an educator guide, a student worksheet, a parent post to send home, and supporting printables.
Kindergarten – Grade 2
Medicine safety, classroom charters, kindness, and the food groups.
Prevention
Medicine
ANOD 1.2.2 ANOD 1.3.2 ANOD 1.4.2
Standards
- ANOD 1.2.2 — Explain that medicines are drugs that are helpful when needed and used correctly.
- ANOD 1.3.2 — Identify family and school rules about medicine use.
- ANOD 1.4.2 — Identify that using medicines requires adult supervision, and identify those adults.
SEL
Standards
- HR 1.2.2 — Identify the benefits of healthy family and peer relationships.
- HR 1.3.2 — Identify qualities that make a good friend.
- HR 1.4.2 — Demonstrate ways to treat all people with dignity and respect.
Standards
- HR 1.3.2 — Identify qualities that make a good friend.
- HR 1.4.2 — Demonstrate ways to treat all people with dignity and respect.
Health & Nutrition
MyPlate
HEPA 1.1.2 HEPA 1.2.2 HEPA 1.3.2 HEPA 1.5.2
Standards
- HEPA 1.1.2 — Explain the importance of trying new foods.
- HEPA 1.2.2 — Explain the importance of choosing healthy foods and beverages and daily physical activity.
- HEPA 1.3.2 — Identify a variety of healthy snacks.
- HEPA 1.5.2 — Identify healthy eating patterns that provide energy and help the body grow and develop.
Grades 3 – 5
Smoking and nicotine, charters and self-reflection, and a full nutrition unit.
Prevention
Smoking
ANOD 1.3.5 ANOD 1.4.5 ANOD 1.5.5
Standards
- ANOD 1.3.5 — Identify short- and long-term effects of alcohol and nicotine use, including secondhand effects.
- ANOD 1.4.5 — Explain the dangers of experimenting with nicotine and alcohol.
- ANOD 1.5.5 — Describe family rules about avoiding nicotine and alcohol use.
SEL
Standards
- HR 1.1.5 — List healthy ways to express affection, love, and friendship.
- HR 1.2.5 — Identify characteristics and benefits of healthy family and peer relationships.
Standards
- HR 1.1.5 — List healthy ways to express affection, love, and friendship.
- HR 1.2.5 — Identify characteristics and benefits of healthy family and peer relationships.
- HR 1.3.5 — Describe the value of others’ talents and strengths.
Health & Nutrition
Nutrition
HEPA 1.1.5 HEPA 1.2.5 HEPA 1.3.5 HEPA 1.6.5
Standards
- HEPA 1.1.5 — Name the food groups and variety of nutritious food choices for each food group.
- HEPA 1.2.5 — Explain the importance of eating a variety of foods from all the food groups.
- HEPA 1.3.5 — Describe the physical, mental, social, and academic benefits of healthful eating habits and physical activity.
- HEPA 1.6.5 — Describe the benefits of limiting the consumption of solid fat, added sugar, and sodium.
Grades 6 – 8
Alcohol and substance abuse prevention, bullying, and healthy eating.
Prevention
Alcohol Prevention
ANOD 1.1.8 1.3.8 1.4.8 1.5.8 1.6.8 1.7.8 1.8.8 1.9.8
Standards
- ANOD 1.1.8 — Identify healthy coping mechanisms and alternatives to substance use.
- ANOD 1.3.8 — Summarize the negative consequences of using alcohol and other drugs.
- ANOD 1.4.8 — Describe situations that could lead to the first time use of alcohol and other drugs.
- ANOD 1.5.8 — Explain why using alcohol or other drugs is an unhealthy way to manage stress.
- ANOD 1.6.8 — Explain school policies and community laws about alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.
- ANOD 1.7.8 — Determine the benefits of being alcohol, nicotine and other drug-free.
- ANOD 1.8.8 — Explain the risks associated with riding in a motor vehicle with someone under the influence, and explore safe options.
- ANOD 1.9.8 — Describe short- and long-term physical, social and emotional effects of ANOD use.
Substance Abuse Prevention
ANOD 1.1.8 1.2.8 1.3.8 1.4.8 1.5.8 1.6.8 1.7.8 1.8.8 1.9.8
Standards
- ANOD 1.1.8 — Identify healthy coping mechanisms and alternatives to substance use.
- ANOD 1.2.8 — Distinguish between proper use and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
- ANOD 1.3.8 – 1.9.8 — Consequences, first-use situations, stress management, school and community policy, benefits of being drug-free, vehicle risk, and short- and long-term effects.
SEL
SEL Bullying
HR 1.3.8 1.4.8 1.5.8 1.6.8 1.12.8
Standards
- HR 1.3.8 — Describe characteristics of healthy relationships (communication, respect, trust, boundaries).
- HR 1.4.8 — Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- HR 1.5.8 — Explain why it is wrong to tease others based on personal characteristics.
- HR 1.6.8 — Explore strategies to address unhealthy relationships.
- HR 1.12.8 — Explain how the use of social media can positively and negatively impact relationships.
Health & Nutrition
Eating Disorders
HEPA 1.1.8 1.2.8 1.3.8 1.4.8 1.5.8 1.6.8 1.7.8 1.8.8 1.9.8 1.10.8
Standards
- HEPA 1.1.8 — Identify the importance of each macronutrient and eating a variety of foods from each category.
- HEPA 1.2.8 — Summarize the physical, mental, social, and academic benefits of healthful eating habits and physical activity.
- HEPA 1.3.8 — Describe how to make healthy food choices when given options.
- HEPA 1.4.8 — Summarize the benefits of consuming adequate amounts of water.
- HEPA 1.5.8 — Describe the relationship and impact of what we eat and our physical activity levels to maintaining a healthy weight.
- HEPA 1.6.8 — Explain the importance of a healthy relationship with food.
- HEPA 1.7.8 — Differentiate between healthy eating and disordered eating.
- HEPA 1.8.8 — Recognize the importance of respecting food allergy needs in self and others.
- HEPA 1.9.8 — Understand how to read food labels.
- HEPA 1.10.8 — Explain the relationship between access to healthy foods and personal food choices.
Grades 9 – 12
Prescription stimulants and ripple effects, healthy relationships, and weight and nutrition.
Prevention
Prescription Stimulants
ANOD 1.1.12 1.2.12 1.4.12 1.5.12 1.7.12 1.8.12
Standards
- ANOD 1.1.12 — Differentiate between proper use and abuse of OTC and prescription medicines.
- ANOD 1.2.12 — Examine situations that could lead to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
- ANOD 1.4.12 — Summarize family rules, school rules, and laws about alcohol, nicotine, and other drug use.
- ANOD 1.5.12 — Compare the relationship between ANOD use and other risks.
- ANOD 1.7.12 — Identify treatments for addiction to ANOD.
- ANOD 1.8.12 — Examine the ripple effects of ANOD use to the individual and society.
SEL
Healthy Relationships
HR 1.1.12 1.2.12 1.3.12 1.5.12 1.6.12 1.9.12
Standards
- HR 1.1.12 — Describe personal characteristics that make people unique and the benefits of living in a diverse society.
- HR 1.2.12 — Identify characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- HR 1.3.12 — Identify how power and control differences in relationships can contribute to aggression and violence.
- HR 1.5.12 — Demonstrate an understanding of how affirmative consent mitigates the impact and consequences of sexual pressure.
- HR 1.6.12 — Evaluate effective strategies for handling challenges in relationships.
- HR 1.9.12 — Describe the consequences of prejudice, discrimination, racism and sexism on healthy relationships.
Health & Nutrition
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
HEPA 1.2.12 1.4.12 1.5.12 1.6.12 1.7.12 1.8.12 1.9.12 1.10.12 1.11.12 1.12.12 1.13.12 1.14.12
Standards
- HEPA 1.2.12 — Describe the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and overall health.
- HEPA 1.4.12 — Describe the effects of hydration and dehydration on physical performance and health.
- HEPA 1.5.12 — Define and describe the benefits of a holistic diet.
- HEPA 1.6.12 — Distinguish food sources that provide key nutrients.
- HEPA 1.7.12 — Describe the importance of eating a variety of appropriate foods to meet nutrient requirements.
- HEPA 1.8.12 – 1.10.12 — Healthy eating and activity, their benefits, and making healthy selections.
- HEPA 1.11.12 — Describe the benefits of limiting high-sugar drinks.
- HEPA 1.12.12 — Explore factors that influence food choices.
- HEPA 1.13.12 — Describe the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship with food.
- HEPA 1.14.12 — Identify healthy and risky approaches to eating and exercise.
Optional add-on lessons — 911 and first responders, fire safety and drills, police officers, and EMTs and paramedics — can be delivered with community members at any grade band.
For educators and coordinators
Program Documents
Overview
Curriculum Outline
Focus, structure, design goals and the full scope of the three content areas.
Alignment
Standards Crosswalk
Every lesson mapped to CT Healthy & Balanced Living standards — all grades, or one band at a time.
Lessons are aligned to the Connecticut State Department of Education Healthy & Balanced Living Curriculum Framework (May 2022). Supporting readings are drawn from Nemours KidsHealth, BrainPOP and the USDA Dig In! curriculum.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals behind our mission, each bringing unique skills and experiences to drive impactful change.
David Reyes
Associate Consultant
David Reyes
Associate Consultant
David holds a B.A. in Anthropology and a Master’s in Social Work with expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, website development, and data management, he excels in survey development, administration, analysis, and communication. Before joining the team, David served as a Youth Peer Advocate with a local substance abuse prevention council. His experience enriches his role in providing technical assistance, developing training programs, and delivering research-informed policy and program recommendations.
Jennifer Jacobsen
Associate Consultant
Jennifer Jacobsen
Associate Consultant
Jennifer Jacobsen brings 8 years of experience in the field to her role as an Associate Consultant. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Counselor Education. Additionally, she is a Certified Prevention Specialist.
Jennifer’s professional background includes 4 years at Cross Sector Consulting, where she has made significant contributions. Before joining Cross Sector Consulting, she served as the CSC Grant Coordinator for the Fairfield CARES Coalition for 3 years, and she was a volunteer member of the coalition prior to that. Outside of her professional work, Jennifer is actively involved in her community as a member and Chair of the Fairfield Board of Education.
Ken Plourd
Associate Consultant
Ken Plourd
Associate Consultant
Ken Plourd is an Associate Consultant with a strong background in prevention and community support. He holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnographic Research Methods. With experience as a prevention coalition coordinator, Ken’s expertise encompasses product development, training, and technical assistance. His deep understanding of community dynamics and prevention strategies allows him to effectively contribute to our team’s mission by offering valuable insights and support.
Lisa Mason
Associate Consultant
Lisa Mason
Associate Consultant
Lisa Mason is an Associate Consultant with a Masters in Counseling and certification as a Prevention Specialist. Her expertise is centered on providing development training and support to prevention workforce and communities implementing various prevention programs. Lisa specializes in coordinating group and individual technical assistance for community coalitions utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). She is dedicated to continuously assessing coalition needs and crafting tailored training and support to effectively meet those needs.