The Governor’s Prevention Partnership: Mission, Programs, and Impact

A complete guide to Connecticut's evidence-based youth prevention model

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Table of Contents#

1. What Is the Governor’s Prevention Partnership? Core Mission & Origins
2. Key Signature Programs Driving Prevention Work
3. Measurable Real-World Community Impact
4. How You Can Support the GPP’s Work
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. References

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What Is the Governor’s Prevention Partnership? Core Mission & Origins#

The first GPP launched in Connecticut in 1983 in partnership with the National Governor's Association (NGA), as a response to the surging youth alcohol and cocaine crisis of the 1980s. This model has shown strong results in reducing youth harm and serves as a reference point for prevention work nationally.

As a non-partisan public-private partnership, the GPP is not a government agency: it is funded by a mix of state grants, private donations, corporate sponsorships, and federal public health funds, which allows it to operate independently across gubernatorial administrations.

The GPP's four core mission pillars are:

1. Reduce youth access to harmful substances (including alcohol, tobacco, vapes, opioids, and illicit drugs)
2. Promote positive youth development and accessible mental wellness support for K-12 and college students
3. Build cross-sector collaboration between government agencies, school districts, law enforcement, nonprofits, local businesses, and family groups
4. Advocate for evidence-based prevention policies at the state and local levels

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Key Signature Programs Driving Prevention Work#

The GPP designs programs to meet local needs, and four core signature programs are central to its work:

1. Youth Leadership Initiatives#

The GPP’s youth-led programming trains middle and high school students to lead prevention work in their own schools and communities. Offerings include:

• Youth Advisory Councils, where teens receive 20+ hours of evidence-based training on peer education, public speaking, and campaign design
• Student-led prevention campaigns targeting youth vaping, bullying, underage drinking, and mental health stigma
• Paid summer fellowship opportunities for students to work on GPP policy and outreach teams On average, the GPP serves 2,100+ youth participants annually.

2. Family & Caregiver Resource Hubs#

The GPP provides free, multilingual resources for parents and caregivers to support their children’s wellness, including:

• In-person and virtual workshops on talking to kids about substance use, recognizing mental health red flags, and digital safety
• Free online toolkits for caregivers of neurodivergent youth, immigrant families, and families affected by the opioid crisis
• 24/7 hotline access to certified prevention specialists for families with urgent questions or concerns

3. School & Public Safety Training#

The GPP delivers certified professional development for frontline community workers, including:

• Trauma-informed care and de-escalation training for K-12 teachers, school counselors, and school resource officers
• Training for local law enforcement on building trust relationships with youth and diverting at-risk teens from the juvenile justice system to support programs
• Technical assistance for school districts to design and implement their own local prevention plans

4. Public Awareness & Policy Advocacy#

The GPP leads state-wide public education campaigns and advocates for evidence-based policy changes, including:

• State-wide campaigns to raise awareness of youth vaping risks, underage drinking penalties, and free mental health resources for teens
• Advocacy for policies including flavored vape bans, raised tobacco sales ages, and increased funding for school mental health staff
• Annual state prevention summits that bring together local leaders to share best practices and align on policy priorities

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Measurable Real-World Community Impact#

Decades of independent evaluation show that the GPP model delivers consistent, cost-effective positive outcomes for communities:

Substance Use Reduction Outcomes#

• A 2023 evaluation of Connecticut’s GPP found a 32% drop in youth vaping rates between 2019 and 2023 in districts that adopted GPP programs, compared to a 12% drop in non-participating districts
• Connecticut counties with active GPP coalitions report a 28% average reduction in underage drinking arrests
• 72% of youth who participate in GPP leadership programs report they would intervene if they saw a peer using harmful substances, compared to 38% of non-participating youth

Mental Health & Safety Outcomes#

• A 2022 survey of GPP partner school students found 61% felt more comfortable asking for mental health support after their school adopted GPP programming
• Participating middle schools report a 40% average reduction in reported bullying incidents within 2 years of launching GPP programs
• 90% of law enforcement agencies that partner with the GPP report stronger trust relationships with youth in their jurisdictions, per 2023 SAMHSA data

Cost Savings#

The CDC estimates that every $1 invested in GPP-aligned prevention programs returns$18 in long-term savings from reduced healthcare costs, juvenile justice expenses, and lost productivity.

Community Spotlight: A 16-year-old in Connecticut’s GPP Youth Advisory Council led a 2022 campaign that successfully pushed her city council to ban flavored vape sales within 1,000 feet of K-12 schools, and launched a peer support group for students with anxiety that now serves 80+ students at her high school.

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How You Can Support the GPP’s Work#

There are opportunities to contribute to the GPP’s mission no matter your background:

• For parents/caregivers: Attend a free local GPP workshop, sign up for their newsletter for free wellness resources, or volunteer at local prevention events
• For students: Apply for your state GPP’s Youth Advisory Council, start a peer education club at your school, or share GPP social media campaigns with your peers
• For business owners: Sponsor a GPP youth leadership program, promote GPP family resources to your employees, or donate goods for GPP community events
• For policymakers: Support annual state funding allocations for GPP programs, and co-sponsor evidence-based prevention legislation endorsed by your state GPP

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Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: Is the Governor’s Prevention Partnership a government agency?#

A: No, it is an independent non-profit public-private partnership, funded by a mix of public and private funds, which allows it to remain non-partisan across gubernatorial administrations.

Q: Do all U.S. states have a GPP?#

A: The Governor’s Prevention Partnership is based in Connecticut. While its model has influenced prevention work nationally, only Connecticut has the official GPP organization.

Q: Are GPP resources free to access?#

A: Yes, all student, family, and school resources are available for free on your state GPP’s official website.

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References#

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Prevention Return on Investment: State and Local Prevention Programs.
2. National Governor’s Association (NGA). (2022). Best Practices for State Prevention Partnerships.
3. Connecticut Governor’s Prevention Partnership. (2023). 2023 Annual Community Impact Report.
4. Connecticut Governor’s Prevention Partnership. (2022). Youth Leadership Program Outcomes Summary.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2023). Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for Youth.