The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation launched La prevención es importante in 2018 to help Marion County schools identify, implement, and sustain proven substance use prevention programs. Programs used as part of the initiative were chosen for their demonstrated ability to equip students with skills that not only help them avoid drugs and alcohol, but also help improve their academic achievement, attendance, classroom behavior, and social and emotional well-being. Further, these programs have been shown to reduce bullying and violence.

Through La prevención es importante, the Foundation committed more than $13.5 million over four years to implement evidence-based prevention programs in Marion County public (traditional, charter, and innovation network) and accredited private K-12 schools.

The initiative served 159 Marion County public and private schools, reaching over 83,400 students annually. Grantees received technical assistance from third-party experts throughout the initiative and participated in an external evaluation through RTI International.

Although grant funding has concluded, most grantees continue to implement their programs with a long-term commitment to improving student outcomes. When the program ended, 96% of grantees reported positive program impacts. An outside evaluation demonstrated that participants developed skills and competencies shown to help students resist substance use in the future.