Here is a four-phase step-by-step guide to scheduling and implementing a one-session evidence-based Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) program throughout the fall school semester.
Phase 1: Pre-Semester Planning (July – August)
The key to a smooth fall rollout is getting the logistics out of the way before the students arrive.
- Select the Specific Program: Decide which PPW program fits your: 1) Demographic (e.g., SPORT PPW for high school, middle school or elementary school, InShape PPW for young adults), 2) Targeted substance use behavior (e.g., SPORT PPW alcohol/drugs, SPORT PPW alcohol & cannabis, Vaping PPW, Marijuana PPW, Opioid PPW), and 3) Length of intervention (most PPW programs are one-session but we do have a 3-session SPORT 3 PPW and a 6-session SPORT Health Behaviors program) as well as Self-Guided Online Programs, Youth Leadership Training, Parent Training and Media Campaigns.
- Order Manuals: Ensure you have enough digital (licensed) or physical manuals with downloadable materials for all program implementers and/or keys for seats to take the Self-Guided Online PPW program.
- Complete Training: Ensure all facilitators (teachers, counselors, coaches, nurses or community health workers) complete the self-paced online or in-person PPW program implementer training.
- Secure Buy-in and Location: Meet with the school principal and department heads. Decide where the program will be taught. Physical Education, Health classes, Homeroom/Advisory periods, science classes or sports teams are usually the best fits, but so are many community settings.
Phase 2: Early Semester Setup (Late August – September)
During the first few weeks of school, teachers are establishing routines. Use this time to prep the students and parents.
- Determine Exact Dates: Work with the host teachers to pick specific dates for implementation. Aim for late September or October, avoiding standardized testing weeks or the days immediately preceding holidays (like Thanksgiving break).
- Parental Consent: Send home parental notification or active consent forms is required, depending on your school district's policies regarding substance use prevention education.
- Prepare the Tech: Test the links to the digital slides and online pre/post-tests, or Self-Guided Programs if you use them, to ensure they work the school's network and are not blocked by the school's firewall.
- Copy Materials: Make copies of screening surveys, goal plans and calendar logs for all students throughout theh semester from your digital downloads.
Phase 3: Implementation (September – November)
This is the core execution phase. October is an especially ideal time because it aligns perfectly with National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week.
- Administer the Pre-Test: Have students complete the customized online pre-program survey. This can be done at the beginning of the class period right before the lesson, or if need be the day before.
- Deliver the Lesson: Present the PPW lesson. It usually involves a three-step process:
- Screening students for their current health habits.
- Providing feedback while showing program slides that links healthy behaviors (sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress control) with avoiding substance use.
- Walking students through a multiple-behavior goal-setting process.
- Goal Setting: Give students their goal-setting contracts. Encourage teachers to leave a few minutes at the end of the period for students to fill these out. Have students take their goal plan and calendar logs home to track goal success each day during the week.
- Administer the post-test: Have students complete the online post-test survey before leaving the classroom.
Phase 4: Final Evaluation & Follow-Up (December)
Wrap up the program before the students leave for winter break.
- Administer the Final End-of-Semester Post-Test: Go back into the classrooms to administer the brief online final post-test to measure pre-test to post-test changes on substance use and healthy behaviors after your program was implemented.
- Follow-Up Reinforcement: If you purchased a multi-session PPW program you’ll be implementing additional weekly sessions. You can also use the BetterChoice Digital Wellness Goal Tracker tool or the Healthy Behavior Goal Tracking Chart to reinforce and support continued weekly goal setting. In addition, you can use Healthy Lifestyles Workbooks to implement additional interactive classroom exercises to increase physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, stress management and avoiding substance use. Teachers can also be encouraged to schedule a 10-minute check-in during a subsequent class period to review the students' goal-setting progress. Lastly, re-administer your PPW program every year or even every semester to students to reinforce and strengthen knowledge, beliefs and skills.
- Data Analysis: Email PPW (info@preventionpluswellness.com) to send links to the pre-test, immediate post-test and follow-up post-test data and request individual data to conduct your own survey analyses. You can also order a program evaluation report. Write your summary reports for school administration or grant funders by the end of December.
Best Practices for School Scheduling:
- Avoid "Prime" Testing Times: Do not schedule the lesson during midterm exam weeks or the week before winter break when student attendance and attention spans drop.
- Use Red Ribbon Week: Schools are always looking for programming during Red Ribbon Week (typically the last week of October). Pitching your PPW implementation for this week often guarantees administrative approval.
- Be Flexible: School schedules change constantly due to pep rallies, fire drills, or teacher absences. Have a backup week in mind just in case your scheduled implementation day falls through.
NOTE: Don’t forget to request customized links to the NEW 6.0 pretest and posttest surveys to evaluate your PPW program this fall, 2026.
Email us your request today: info@preventionpluswellness.com