July 2026 Prevention Network Newsletter

Coalition Infrastructure Toolkit 2026

This toolkit is designed to support coalitions at all stages of development in building strong, sustainable infrastructure. It provides practical tools and guidance to strengthen governance, clarify roles, and align coalition efforts around shared goals.

Coalitions may be in different phases of development—whether just forming, growing, or refining their work. This toolkit is intended to meet coalitions where they are and provide support along the way.

HOW TO ACCESS:

We’ve made it easy—no matter where you’re starting:

New to our network?
“Join our Network ” at *no-cost*, and in your welcome email you will see a link to “Download Your Toolkit Here”

You will receive exclusive access to the Resource Library Hub:

• Filled with handouts, toolkits, templates, videos, and more.
• A forum to network with other coalitions.
• Maps of other coalitions across the State.
  

Already a member?
Simply click the “Member Access” button below and login with your credentials to access and download the toolkit.

Looking for fresh ideas, practical solutions, and opportunities to connect with others working to strengthen their communities? Join us for the next C3 Networking and Technical Assistance Quarterly Meeting on September 9, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM.

This quarterly meeting is designed to bring partners together to share challenges, exchange ideas, and access technical assistance that can strengthen community prevention efforts. Whether you’re seeking guidance, new strategies, or simply the opportunity to connect with peers who understand the work, this is a valuable space to learn and collaborate.

Set aside the hour, bring your questions, and come ready to connect.

We encourage you to register and be part of the conversation.

3rd Annual SUD Prevention Coalition Conference!

Registration is now open through July 8!

Join us on Tuesday, July 14 from 9:00-4:00 at the Comfort Inn & Suites and Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant for the 2026 Michigan SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference, a dynamic one-day event designed to empower and enhance Michigan’s prevention coalitions. This year’s theme, Strengthening Prevention Coalitions for Lasting Impact, focuses on the importance of the following key topic areas for building effective and enduring coalitions: Capacity & Leadership, Data & Evaluation, and Strategic Planning & Sustainability. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

Registration Link!

• Registration is $100 and closes July 8 so register now

Looking for Technical Assistance Support?

Prevention Network offers technical assistance (TA) to help strengthen and support your prevention efforts. Whether you’re planning, implementing, or refining your work, we can connect you with additional resources, tools, and guidance tailored to your needs. Technical assistance may include consultation calls, webinars, trainings, or ongoing support over time to address specific goals or challenges.

Learn more or request support: https://www.preventionnetwork.org/ta/

Youth as Partners, Not Just Participants

Coalitions often focus on how to reach young people, but what if we shifted our thinking to how we can work alongside them?

A recent article from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) highlights the importance of treating youth as trusted partners in prevention efforts rather than simply recipients of programs and messages. Youth bring valuable perspectives, creativity, and lived experiences that can strengthen coalition strategies and make prevention efforts more relevant and effective.

Meaningful youth engagement goes beyond inviting young people to attend meetings. It means involving them in planning, decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. When youth feel known, needed, and able to see the impact of their contributions, they are more likely to remain engaged and become leaders within their communities.

The article also challenges coalitions to examine “adultism”—the assumption that adults always know best. Strong youth-adult partnerships are built on mutual respect, transparency, and shared responsibility. Coalitions don’t need to give youth control over every decision, but they should be honest about where youth voices influence outcomes and where decisions ultimately rest.

As your coalition plans future initiatives, consider ways to move youth from participants to partners. Their voices are not just important—they are essential to creating lasting community change.

Reflection Question: How is your coalition currently engaging youth, and what is one step you can take to strengthen youth-adult partnerships in the coming year?

Source: CADCA’s “How Coalitions Can Treat Youth as Partners,” May 2026.

Preparing Students for a Healthy Transition to College

The summer before college is more than a time for shopping and packing—it is an important opportunity for parents and caregivers to help young adults prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Research shows that the transition to college can increase exposure to alcohol, other substances, peer pressure, loneliness, and stress. While students may be legally adults, parts of the brain responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control continue developing well into their mid-20s. This can make young adults more vulnerable to risky behaviors, especially in new social environments.

The good news is that parents and caregivers continue to have a strong influence during this transition. Studies have found that when parents communicate clear expectations about alcohol and substance use, maintain open conversations, and stay connected, students are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Prevention starts before move-in day. Talking openly about stress, decision-making, relationships, mental health, and substance use can help young adults develop the skills they need to navigate college successfully. Experts encourage parents to balance support and independence by serving as a cheerleader, coach, and safety monitor throughout the college years.

As families across Michigan prepare for the fall semester, now is the perfect time to start these conversations. Strong connections, clear expectations, and ongoing support can help young adults make healthier choices and build a successful foundation for the future.

Source: The Conversation – “How Parents Can Help Prevent Risky Behaviors During Young Adults’ Summers” by Beverly Kingston, University of Colorado Boulder, and Clara Hill, Washington State University. Originally published June 2026 and republished under a Creative Commons license.

New Research Highlights Effective Training for Family-Based Substance Use Support

Families often play a critical role in helping loved ones seek treatment and maintain recovery from substance use disorders. A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence explored how counselors can be effectively trained to use Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), an evidence-based approach that helps family members encourage treatment engagement and support recovery.

Researchers compared three online training methods for counselors working with individuals affected by opioid use disorder. The study found that counselors who received a combination of online training, practical learning materials, and individualized coaching demonstrated the strongest skills and highest confidence in delivering CRAFT. Counselors who received online training and self-study materials also showed significant improvement, while online training alone was less effective.

The findings suggest that digital training programs can help expand access to evidence-based family support services, particularly in rural and underserved communities where professional training opportunities may be limited. Researchers concluded that practical tools, ongoing support, and coaching can improve the quality of services available to families navigating substance use challenges.

As communities continue to address substance use and recovery needs, strengthening the skills of prevention and treatment professionals remains an important strategy for supporting individuals and families affected by addiction.

Sources: Partnership to End Addiction (June 2026) and research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence by Macky et al. (2026).

MI ACE Data Dashboard now includes YRBS trend data from 2011-2023

The MI ACE Data Dashboard has been updated and now includes Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) trend data from 2011–2023. New graphs display changes over time, using arrows to indicate whether each indicator has increased, decreased, or remained stable. These trend data are available under the ‘2023 YRBS’ section and cover 19 indicators, including abuse and neglect, bullying, school safety, mental health, and health risk behaviors. Understanding these trends can help identify patterns over time and inform the development of tailored programs and interventions.

Additional updates include:

• 2023–2025 hospital emergency department syndromic surveillance data providing insights into suspected or confirmed child abuse and neglect, as well as youth mental health conditions, suspected suicide attempts, and substance use.
• Expanded 2022 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) data, now covering 47 counties, including six new counties.

Please see an example HERE of a graph that displays changes over time specific to MI high school students reporting ever being physically forced to have sexual intercourse. This trend graph is available for 19 indicators.

Michigan Resource for Schools

Michigan Releases Guidance on Safe Handling and Disposal of Confiscated Vape Devices in Schools

As vaping continues to impact youth across Michigan, schools are facing an additional challenge beyond prevention and enforcement: safely handling and disposing of confiscated vaping devices.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recently released guidance to help schools properly manage electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, vape pens, nicotine pods, and associated lithium-ion batteries. The guidance notes that these items contain hazardous materials, including liquid nicotine and lithium-ion batteries, which can pose health, environmental, and fire risks if improperly stored or discarded.

According to EGLE, nicotine is toxic even at low levels, while lithium-ion batteries can overheat, leak hazardous chemicals, or ignite if damaged. Because of these risks, schools are advised not to throw confiscated vaping devices into regular trash or recycling bins and should never pour nicotine liquids down sinks, toilets, or other drains.

The guidance provides schools with practical steps for safely storing confiscated devices, determining hazardous waste requirements, and identifying appropriate disposal options. It also highlights the importance of protecting staff, students, and the environment while complying with state and federal regulations.

As prevention professionals continue working to reduce youth nicotine use, this guidance serves as a reminder that vaping prevention extends beyond education and enforcement. Proper disposal practices can help schools reduce environmental risks and improve safety within their communities.

Source: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Nicotine Vapes: Safety and Disposal for Michigan Schools (May 2025).

• July 12-16, 2026 – CADCA”s Mid-Year Training Institute with DEA’s Fentanyl Free America Summit
• July 14 – Michigan Substance Use Disorder Prevention Coalition Conference
• July 29 – MIHEN 2026 Conference: Addressing Substance Misuse and Gambling in Higher Education
• July 26-29 – The Power of Prevention National Conference on Substance Misuse.
• July 30, Sept 24, & Nov 12 – Reducing Harm, Supporting Health: An Opioid Education Webinar Series
• August 18 – MIHEN Webinar-Health & Poison Related to Substance Use: “Need to Know” Program for Young Adults
• August 21 – Join us for the 30th Annual MCRUD Annual Meeting – MCRUD is now accepting nominations for the MCRUD Hero Award Nominations Open.
• MCRUD 2026 Photovoice Project – MCRUD is inviting youth in grades 6–12 to share their perspectives through photography as part of the 2026 Youth Photovoice Project.
• August 29-31- EMPOWER 2026: the NAADAC Annual Conference
• September 15 – PAM Webinar – Moving Upstream: An Earlier and Broader Approach to Prevention, a complimentary webinar
• September 29-30 – Virtual, 2026 National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference
• October 29-30 – Connections in Prevention Annual Conference
• November 9 – 34th Annual PAM Conference (in person)at the James B. Henry Center for Excellence. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Reserve your exhibitor space by October 9, 2026. Stay tuned for registration details and conference updates.

See the full calendar of events here.

Join Our Network

By joining our *no-cost* network, you will have exclusive access to:

• A resource library filled with handouts, toolkits, templates, videos, and more
• A forum to network with other coalitions
• A map of other coalitions across the State.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to https://www.preventionnetwork.org/resource-library/
2. Type a keyword into the search bar (try a topic, program area, or content type).
3. Open a resource to view, download, or save for later.
   

Whether you’re building a training, writing a grant, or looking for ready-to-use tools, the right resource is only a few clicks away.

Looking for Technical Assistance Support?

Prevention Network offers technical assistance (TA) to help strengthen and support your prevention efforts. Whether you’re planning, implementing, or refining your work, we can connect you with additional resources, tools, and guidance tailored to your needs. Technical assistance may include consultation calls, webinars, trainings, or ongoing support over time to address specific goals or challenges.

Learn more or request support: https://www.preventionnetwork.org/ta/

Upcoming PTTC Trainings for Prevention Professionals

Visit the PTTC Network’s training and events calendar to find upcoming prevention trainings and professional development opportunities available to the Great Lakes region. https://pttcnetwork.org/training-and-events-calendar/

The Prevention Network newsletter delivers timely and comprehensive state and national updates, covering the latest news, research findings, and best practices in the prevention field, ensuring you stay well-informed and equipped to address emerging challenges and opportunities in your prevention efforts. Check out some national and state updates below:

NATIONAL:

New Federal Investment Supports Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention, and Recovery

In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $700 million in new funding opportunities to address mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness across the country. The funding includes investments in community behavioral health clinics, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, prevention and recovery programs, and a new initiative designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness who are also living with mental health or substance use challenges.

For Michigan’s prevention community, this investment highlights the continued national focus on behavioral health and the importance of prevention as part of the solution. Strong prevention efforts help communities address risk factors before substance use and mental health challenges become crises. Increased federal funding can strengthen local partnerships, expand access to services, support recovery efforts, and create more opportunities for collaboration between prevention professionals, healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations.

As coalitions across Michigan continue their work to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellness, these federal investments reinforce the value of community-based prevention strategies that support healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.

While the announcement represents a significant investment in behavioral health, the long-term impact will depend on how effectively funds are distributed, implemented, and sustained. Prevention professionals can play an important role in ensuring that prevention strategies remain part of the conversation alongside treatment, recovery, and crisis response efforts.

For more information, visit the SAMHSA Newsroom

STATE

What Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Could Mean for Prevention in Michigan

The DEA will begin hearings on June 29 regarding a proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. For Michigan, where marijuana is already legal for adult use and available through the medical system, the biggest impact may not be legal access—it may be public perception. Rescheduling could improve research opportunities and strengthen the evidence base for prevention, but it may also lead more youth, parents, and communities to view marijuana as “safe” or low-risk.

For prevention professionals, this means messaging will need to stay clear, balanced, and youth-focused. Legal or medical status does not erase concerns about early use, high-potency THC products, impaired driving, dependence, or the effects of marijuana on the developing brain. It also does not erase mental health concerns. Research continues to show links between frequent youth cannabis use and increased risk for anxiety, depression, and psychosis in some young people—especially with early initiation and high-potency products. As this federal conversation continues, prevention efforts in Michigan will need to emphasize delayed initiation, informed decision-making, and the fact that “less restricted” does not mean “harmless.”

Sources: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, “Marijuana Rescheduling Regulatory Actions”; U.S. Department of Justice, “Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana in Schedule III”; University of Michigan Health Lab, “What does cannabis ‘rescheduling’ mean for science and society?”; Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University, “Federal Marijuana Rescheduling: Process and Impact.”