Investing in Knowledge, Strengthening Prevention

By Naomi DeSantis, CPS | Certified Prevention Specialist, Herren Project

Over the course of the past year, I was granted the opportunity to obtain my Certified Prevention Specialist credential, with funding made possible by Herren Project through the Incumbent Worker Training Grant from the State of Rhode Island’s Governor’s Workforce Board.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for Herren Project’s investment in my professional growth. Through a comprehensive course of study followed by the final exam, I was able to strengthen my knowledge and skills related to substance use prevention and gain a deeper understanding of what effective prevention work looks like in practice.

I look forward to using this experience to make an even greater impact through the work I do alongside my team at Herren Project.

Prevention Takes a Village

Throughout the course, I learned so much about the importance of community when it comes to creating and implementing effective substance use prevention strategies.

Prevention is not the responsibility of one individual, organization, school, or family. It truly takes a village. From connecting with community stakeholders to engaging youth and families, successful prevention efforts require collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to creating healthier communities.

One of my biggest takeaways from this experience was the importance of looking beyond individual choices and considering the many factors that influence the decisions young people make.

Schools, families, peers, community organizations, social environments, and access to resources can all play a role in supporting healthy development. Effective prevention means creating environments where young people feel connected, supported, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to make healthy choices.

This reinforced for me how important it is to include youth voices in prevention efforts rather than simply creating programs for them. When young people have opportunities to participate, lead, share their perspectives, and advocate for their communities, prevention becomes more meaningful and relevant.

Empowering Youth to Be the Change

This connects closely with the work we are already doing through Herren Project Clubs. Our clubs provide students with opportunities to build connections, develop leadership skills, promote healthy choices, and create positive change within their schools and communities.

Moving forward, I plan to use what I learned throughout the certification process to continue strengthening our club programming and expanding opportunities for students to take an active role in prevention. I want students to recognize that their voices matter and that they can positively influence their peers, schools, families, and communities.

Prevention education should not simply provide young people with information. It should help them build practical skills, confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections with others.

Through our programming, we can continue creating opportunities for students to practice healthy decision-making, learn strategies for managing stress, prioritize self-care, develop confidence in themselves, and encourage their peers to make healthy choices.

Strengthening Our Prevention Efforts

My goal is to build upon the positive impact Herren Project has already made by strengthening our Pathways to Prevention initiatives, deepening our community partnerships, and continuing to oversee and expand Herren Project Clubs.

I also hope to identify additional opportunities to connect our prevention programming with schools, families, community organizations, and other stakeholders who share our commitment to helping young people thrive.

I plan to share this newfound knowledge not only with my team but also with the Herren Project community at large. I hope to visit our local clubs, attend events with community partners, and meet with stakeholders to continue spreading awareness about the importance of prevention.

These opportunities will allow me to listen to the needs of individual communities, learn from the people doing this work every day, and identify ways Herren Project can continue to be a meaningful partner and resource.

As Herren Project continues to grow its prevention efforts, I also hope to strengthen the ways we evaluate and communicate the impact of our work. Understanding what is working, listening to feedback from students and communities, and identifying areas where we can improve will help ensure that our programs continue to meet the changing needs of young people.

Prevention is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and our work must continue to evolve alongside the communities we serve.

Looking Ahead

Receiving my Certified Prevention Specialist credential represents more than a professional accomplishment for me. It represents another step forward in my commitment to prevention and to the mission of Herren Project.

I am excited to bring what I have learned back to my team and into the communities we serve. Through education, collaboration, community connections, shared resources, and outreach, I hope to continue building upon the important work already underway and contribute to lasting, positive change.

Let’s Connect

Are you a school educator, Herren Project Club advisor, or community partner interested in learning more about our prevention initiatives? I would welcome the opportunity to connect, share resources, and explore ways we can work together to support young people.

Schedule a time to connect with Naomi:

https://herrenproject.zohobookings.com/#/4048597000004348010