Plan with purpose. Talk with families. Build connection.
A good prevention event isn’t just about getting people in the room. It’s about creating opportunities for parents, caregivers and community members to learn, connect and leave with something they can actually use.
Before you plan
Start with the goal
Before choosing a speaker, activity or theme, ask:
- What do we want people to learn?
- What do we want them to feel?
- What do we want them to do differently afterward?
- What resources or support can we connect them with?
Keep it simple: One clear goal is better than trying to cover everything.
Know your audience
Think about who you want to reach and what might make it easier — or harder — for them to participate.
Consider:
- Time and location
- Child care
- Transportation
- Language and accessibility needs
- Cultural considerations
- Whether the event feels welcoming and relevant
What works
Lead with connection
Prevention is about more than information. Create opportunities for people to talk, ask questions and connect with others.
Try:
- Conversation starters
- Small-group discussions
- Real-life examples
- Stories that focus on hope and connection
- Opportunities to connect with local resources
Make it practical
Give parents and caregivers something they can use when they leave.
Try:
- “What would you do?” scenarios
- Conversation tips
- Simple activities to use at home
- Take-home resources
- Local resources and places to get help
Focus on strengths
Families are more likely to engage when prevention feels supportive rather than judgmental.
Talk about:
- What families are already doing well
- Skills that can be strengthened
- Protective factors
- Connection and belonging
- Small steps that can make a difference
Make the message hopeful
Prevention conversations don't have to focus on everything that can go wrong. Show people what they can do and where they can turn for support.
What doesn't work
❌ Fear-based messaging
Scaring people into action can create anxiety, shame or disengagement.
Instead: Focus on what families can do to build safety, connection and resilience.
❌ Talking at people
A long presentation filled with statistics may not create meaningful engagement.
Instead: Build in conversation, interaction and opportunities to ask questions.
❌ Making parents feel blamed
Prevention isn't about pointing fingers at families.
Instead: Use language that recognizes challenges and emphasizes support.
❌ Trying to cover everything
Too much information can leave people overwhelmed — and remembering nothing.
Instead: Pick one or two key messages and reinforce them throughout the event.
❌ Ending without a next step
People may leave inspired but unsure what to do next.
Instead: Give them one simple action, resource or conversation to take home.
Talk about prevention in a way that connects
A helpful rule of thumb:
Less:
“Here's what's wrong and what could happen.”
More:
“Here's what you can do, who can help and where to turn.”
You can also use a Connect → Learn → Act approach:
Connect
Create a welcoming space where people feel comfortable participating.
Learn
Share information that is relevant, practical and easy to understand.
Act
Give people a simple next step they can take at home, at school or in their community.
Plan your next event
Use these questions to guide your planning:
1. What is our one main message?
Keep it clear and easy to remember.
2. Who are we trying to reach?
Think about what they need from the event.
3. How will we create connection?
Build in opportunities to talk, listen and participate.
4. What will people take away?
Give them something practical they can use.
5. What's the next step?
Make it easy to know where to go or what to do next.
Prevention happens in everyday moments.
A conversation. A connection. A trusted adult. A family knowing where to turn. Your next event can help make those moments happen.