Play Hard Live Healthy Preston County

 The Blind Spot Backpack Presentation is an interactive educational program designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to increase awareness of youth substance use and other challenges facing today's adolescents. During the presentation, participants examine common items that may be found in a student's backpack that could indicate substance use, vaping, alcohol use, or other risky behaviors. The program explains what these items are, how they may be used, and the warning signs adults should recognize.

In addition to identifying potential indicators of substance use, the presentation discusses risk and protective factors, effective communication with youth, and available community resources. The goal is to equip trusted adults with the knowledge and confidence to recognize early warning signs, start supportive conversations, and connect young people with help before problems escalate.

The Mock Teen Bedroom Presentation is an interactive educational program that gives parents, caregivers, educators, and community members the opportunity to explore a realistic teen bedroom and identify hidden signs of substance use and other risky behaviors. Participants search the room for everyday objects that may conceal alcohol, vaping products, nicotine, marijuana, prescription medications, or other substances, while learning about common hiding places and current trends among youth.

Throughout the presentation, prevention professionals explain what the items are, why they may be concerning, and how to distinguish between typical teenage behavior and potential warning signs. The program also provides practical tips for starting open, supportive conversations with young people, recognizing early indicators of substance use, and connecting families with local prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. The goal is to empower adults to identify concerns early and foster safe, healthy, and substance-free environments for youth.

The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) is an immersive, hands-on experience that helps participants better understand the realities of living in poverty. During the simulation, individuals assume the roles of families facing financial hardship and must navigate everyday challenges such as securing housing, paying bills, obtaining transportation, accessing healthcare, finding childcare, and purchasing food—all while managing limited resources and unexpected crises.

Designed for community leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, first responders, businesses, faith communities, and the general public, the simulation builds empathy and increases awareness of the barriers many families face. Participants gain a deeper understanding of how poverty impacts health, education, employment, and overall well-being, while exploring how communities can work together to reduce barriers, improve access to services, and strengthen support systems for individuals and families.

Copyright 2022 Missouri Community Action Network

 Preston County is expanding local recovery support through SMART Recovery, a practical, evidence-informed program that helps individuals and families build skills for positive change. We are proud to have 10 trained SMART Recovery facilitators in Preston County and are working to establish additional SMART Recovery meetings throughout the community.

Currently, a SMART Recovery Family & Friends meeting is available every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Terra Alta Church of the Nazarene. Family & Friends provides support, education, and practical tools for people who are affected by a loved one’s addictive behaviors.

As our network continues to grow, we look forward to bringing more SMART Recovery opportunities to communities across Preston County and strengthening accessible, community-based recovery support for individuals and families.

 The Preston County Health Department offers evidence-based Self-Management Resource Center (SMRC) programs designed to help individuals build the skills and confidence needed to better manage ongoing health conditions and improve their quality of life.

Our classes include Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, and Chronic Pain Self-Management. These interactive workshops complement the care you receive from your healthcare provider and focus on practical skills you can use in everyday life.

Participants learn strategies for managing symptoms, communicating with healthcare providers, setting achievable goals, problem-solving, managing medications, improving nutrition and physical activity, reducing stress and fatigue, and developing action plans for healthier living.

Classes are supportive, interactive, and focused on helping participants learn from both trained facilitators and one another. Whether you are living with diabetes, chronic pain, or another long-term health condition, these programs can help you feel more confident and involved in managing your health.

Living with a chronic condition can be challenging—but you don't have to manage it alone.

 The Knight’s Quest Prevention Program is a community-focused initiative that empowers Preston County youth and families to become heroes in their own lives and communities. Using a fun, medieval-inspired “quest” approach, participants build the skills and protective factors that help prevent substance use and other risky behaviors. Through prevention education, healthy activities, positive decision-making, leadership opportunities, and connections with trusted adults and community resources, each “quest” encourages participants to strengthen their resilience and make healthy choices.

 Every hero has a quest and prevention helps provide the tools for the journey.

THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY 2027