Opioid Prevention and Awareness Initiative

STATEWIDE IMPACT. COMMUNITY FOCUSED. PREVENTION DRIVEN.

YSS has been awarded the statewide contract to lead opioid prevention and awareness efforts across Iowa using opioid settlement dollars. This investment allows YSS to expand evidence-informed education, strengthen local partnerships, and provide families and communities with tools to prevent substance misuse before it begins.

Our goal is simple and ambitious: to create a lasting, measurable impact that improves health, safety, and outcomes for Iowans in every region of the state.

How We Will Do This: Our Four Pillars of Impact

1. Early Intervention Virtual Programming

YSS will deliver accessible, virtual evidence-informed education and intervention classes designed to meet people where they are.

• 5 to 6 week virtual class series
• Focus on early intervention, awareness, and skill building
• Designed for adults, caregivers, and community members

These programs increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and equip participants with practical tools to recognize risk and support prevention.

2. Community Coalitions and Regional Collaboration

Strong prevention requires strong local partnerships. YSS will work alongside existing coalitions and regional systems to amplify impact.

• Partnership with AC4C and all seven Iowa mental health districts
• Support coordinated prevention strategies across regions
• Align messaging, resources, and education efforts statewide

By strengthening community coalitions, YSS helps ensure prevention efforts are locally informed while benefiting from statewide coordination.

3. Hidden in Plain Sight Initiative

The Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer is an interactive, mobile prevention tool designed to spark meaningful conversations about substance use.

• Realistic, walk-through exhibit highlighting common signs of substance misuse
• Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members
• Available for events, fairs, schools, and community gatherings across Iowa
• Goal is year-round engagement in communities statewide

This initiative helps adults better recognize risk factors and opens the door to prevention-focused conversations before a crisis occurs.

4. Family and Adult Education and Support

YSS will invest directly in families through intensive education and prevention programming.

• Four Strengthening Families weekends
• Serving up to 12 families per weekend
• Focus on communication, connection, and resilience

These experiences strengthen family systems, reduce risk factors, and build protective factors that support long-term prevention and stability.

Supporting the Full Continuum of Care

This statewide prevention initiative strengthens YSS’s ability to provide a full continuum of care, from prevention and early education to intervention, treatment, and long-term recovery supports. By investing upstream in awareness, education, and family strengthening, YSS helps reduce risk before crisis occurs while also ensuring individuals and families have access to support at every stage of need.

Together, these efforts reflect YSS’s holistic approach to care and its commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities across Iowa.