The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation launched Prevention Matters 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.

After the initiative ended, the Fairbanks Foundation created a document outlining important lessons for schools seeking to implement and sustain successful prevention programs.

The report contains five key lessons about effective prevention program implementation:

1. It is important to select programs that meet students’ specific needs and fit into the school’s daily schedule.
2. Program teams should include multiple people to mitigate disruption caused by routine staff turnover.
3. Schools should train new implementers and provide ongoing training and support to experienced implementers.
4. Program coordinators’ effective planning, monitoring, and feedback to implementers contribute to high-quality implementation.
5. It is critical to implement programs as designed, though minor modifications to increase student engagement can be effective.

The report also contains three key elements of sustainability for ensuring long-term program implementation:

1. External funding is especially key when starting programs.
2. To sustain a program, it is critical to integrate it into school culture and daily operations.
3. Grantees cultivated school and district buy-in, which increased the likelihood of sustainability