Create an account with The Pennsylvania State University Prevention Learning Portal and earn completion certificates for several prevention topics. The purpose of this course is to introduce risk and protective factors, the science behind them, and how they can be used in prevention planning in your community.
Source: Prevention Learning Portal
Upstream Prevention – How to Prevent Problems Before They Begin
Create an account with The Pennsylvania State University Prevention Learning Portal and earn completion certificates for several prevention topics. The purpose of this course is to explore the idea of upstream prevention and why it’s important to prevent youth problems and promote healthy youth development.
Using Logic Models to Strengthen Programs from Start to Finish
Create an account with The Pennsylvania State University Prevention Learning Portal and earn completion certificates for several prevention topics. This resource explains how a logic model helps clarify a program’s goals, articulates how and why it works, and identifies why desired outcomes may or may not be occurring at different stages of planning, implementation, or reflection. It describes the logic model as a guiding framework that visually links program activities to intended goals and outcomes, serving as a practical roadmap for program success.
What is Prevention Science?
This document introduces prevention science as a multidisciplinary field that uses research to guide effective prevention strategies, particularly for substance use.
What is the Community Tool Box?
The Community Tool Box is a long-standing, mission-driven resource created to promote community health and development by connecting people, ideas, and practical tools. Launched in 1994, it was designed to provide accessible, real-world guidance on core community-building competencies—such as leadership, program evaluation, and grant writing—that can be used by both professionals and community members across diverse issue areas. Over time, it has grown into an extensive, multilingual resource with more than 340 sections and thousands of pages of content, serving community leaders and practitioners, organizations that support community change, and funders seeking to strengthen and sustain effective community improvement efforts. In addition to its extensive content, the Community Tool Box is designed for ease of navigation and practical use. Each section follows a clear, practical structure explaining what a skill is, why and when it matters, and how to apply it, supported by curated resources, real-world examples, tools and checklists, and ready-to-use PowerPoint slides that facilitate training, technical assistance, and real-world application.
Writing S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Objectives
Create an account with The Pennsylvania State University Prevention Learning Portal and earn completion certificates for several prevention topics. The purpose of this course is to introduce S.M.A.R.T. goals and objectives and explain how they translate ideas into action by clearly defining what needs to be done, by whom, and by what target date. The course also demonstrates how S.M.A.R.T. components support measurable accountability and timelines for assessing whether project activities are producing the intended results.
Project Management: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) Diagram
Any small and large project involves multiple individuals and stakeholders. It is extremely important in managing tasks across the project life cycle to define which individuals/stakeholders are Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed (RACI). A RACI Diagram or RACI Matrix can assist program managers in identifying who needs to be involved and how they are involved. You can view this video for an overview of RACI Diagrams.
Project Management: The Process for Leading Successful Projects
Create an account with The Pennsylvania State University Prevention Learning Portal and earn completion certificates for several prevention topics. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basics of project management. It covers core project management processes and how they strategically organize and execute tasks needed to achieve a project goal, with skills, techniques, and tools that support efficient and successful project completion.
Protective and Risk Factors Explained
The New Brunswick Health Council’s article, Protective and Risk Factors Explained, outlines how certain conditions can either support or hinder health and well-being. Protective factors like strong relationships and adequate sleep can buffer against challenges, while risk factors such as social isolation or poverty increase vulnerability to issues like substance use and poor mental health. The piece emphasizes that these factors can be individual, familial, or community-based, and some are modifiable over time. For prevention professionals, this information is crucial for designing strategies that strengthen protective factors and reduce risks, ultimately improving resilience and long-term outcomes.
Sustainability Planning Checklist
This checklist is designed to assist program implementers during planning for sustainability. It includes categories such as: budget planning, cost efficiency, revenue streams, data, stakeholder engagement, staff retention, and program participation. This tool can help providers and coalitions think through the various facets of sustainability and develop a plan with practical action steps for tackling sustainability barriers.