Curriculums & Trainings

Botvin LifeSkills Training is a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program that focuses on targeting the social and psychological factors that initiate risky behaviors rather than simply educating participants on the dangers of drug and alcohol use. There are curriculums for elementary through high school levels.

Catch My Breath is a youth e-cigarette and vape prevention program specific to grades 5-12. The evidence-based program substantially reduced students’ likelihood of vaping in the year following program implementation. It is free to U.S. schools. It can be implemented into the classroom at any time. CATCH My Breath also has mini-lessons surrounding substance misuse for K-8.

The curriculum features characters that help promote positive messages on health to pre-K through 2nd grade. The lessons specifically discuss the importance of your lung health and the dangers of smoking. Samantha Skunk is a student led presentation for younger children that was originally created by University of New Hampshire Professor William Scott. In 2014, the Dover Youth to Youth program purchased this program and created more materials.

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Skills development is at the core of Too Good for Drugs, a universal K-12 prevention education program designed to mitigate the risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use. The lessons introduce and develop skills for making healthy choices, building positive friendships, developing self-efficacy, communicating effectively, and resisting peer pressure and influence.

Too Good for Drugs teaches five essential character development skills to build self-efficacy, promote healthy development, and academic success:

• Setting Reachable Goals
• Making Responsible Decisions
• Bonding with Pro-Social Others
• Identifying and Managing Emotions
• Communicating Effectively

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A nationally-recognized, evidence-based program empowering teens with the tools and opportunities to build social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and avoid risky behaviors.

Using interactive lessons facilitated by trained, caring adults, TOP youth become prepared to navigate life’s challenges through their teenage years – and beyond – and to make a difference in their communities.

TOP is a 9-month program for 6th through 12th graders and can be customized to fit the needs of all teens.

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Wednesday May 14th 9:00am-5:00pm CST
Thursday May 15th 9:00am-5:00pm CST

Lutheran Social Services
705 E 41 St
Sioux Falls, SD

Wednesday May 28th 9:00am-5:00pm MST
Thursday May 29th 9:00am-5:00pm MST

Lutheran Social Services
2920 Sheridan Lake Rd. 
Rapid City, SD

Reimbursement for mileage and hotel are included!

Questions about WYMAN's Teen Outreach Program (TOP) or want to register? Please email Hilary Larson (hilary.larsen@state.sd.us)

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The You and Me, Together Vape-Free curriculum includes a middle and high school program that are 6 lessons, approximately 50 minutes each. It also includes a two-lesson elementary school version, approximately 50 minutes each. Every lesson provides activities, online quiz games, and worksheets in addition to presentations, resources, and other materials aimed at addressing key factors associated with youth e-cigarette use, including changing adolescents’ attitudes towards and misperceptions about e-cigarettes; increasing their refusal skills to pulls of flavors, marketing, and social media; reducing stress and depression which have been linked to e-cigarette initiation and use; improving coping; and decreasing intentions and actual use of all e-cigarette products.

These 6 in-class sessions are reinforced outside of the classroom with follow-up discussion guides that provide open-ended questions and activities for youth to discuss various e-cigarette-related topics with a trusted adult and/or peer in order to open dialogue between youth and adults. The curriculum is meant to reach all youth, including those at highest risk of tobacco use, racial/ethnic minorities, students in continuation and alternative schools, and those identifying as LGBTQ+.