Healthy Choices Bulletin

No Vape November is a great time share resources and information about the dangers of vaping and electronic cigarettes. Vaping is the number one substance related discipline violation in PPS, which is why we continue to focus on education and prevention. Please see the resources below - click on images for more information.

Multnomah, Clackamas and Washing County have teamed up to create the Don't Lean on Nicotine webpage that offers resources and materials in Spanish and English to supports students to grow up nicotine free. To request free posters for your school, simply complete this form Request posters and postcards.

The Truth Initiative is a national organization focused on achieving a future free from nicotine addiction. They support both individual behavior change and policy change that prevents addiction, supports quitting, expands cessation access, and addresses systemic inequities. Part of their resources include the EX PROGRAM: Quit support for individuals and organizations. Quitting nicotine isn't easy, but it can be done with the right support. EX® Program, was developed over 15 years ago by Truth Initiative in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic. It connects individuals to evidence-based quitting approaches and an established online quit community.

This website has tools, tips and strategies for parents to be able to talk with their children at different ages about vaping, associated dangers, the signs and symptoms.

Having a trusted adult at school can make a world of difference in a student’s life. Whether it’s a teacher, counselor, social worker, coach, or other staff member, supportive relationships help students feel seen, valued, and safe. This sense of connection is more than just comforting—it’s protective! Research shows that when young people feel connected to caring adults, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, including substance use.

Trusted adults provide stability, encouragement, and guidance that help students navigate challenges and build resilience. These relationships can also help young people manage stress, recover from setbacks, and make healthier choices for their future.

When students have trusted adults in their corner, they gain:

• Support and encouragement to stay motivated and confident.
  

• Guidance to make thoughtful decisions and set positive goals.
  

• Structure and expectations that foster responsibility and growth.
  

• A safe space to talk openly and seek help when facing challenges.
  
  

Building and maintaining these connections across the school community strengthens everyone. By showing care, consistency, and compassion, adults can help students feel that they truly belong—and that sense of belonging is one of the strongest protective factors against substance use.

Click here to read more about Protective Factors for Youth Involved in Systems of Care

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Staff Spotlight: Trusted Adults at PPS

Each month, we’ll feature a Portland Public Schools staff member who represents what it means to be a trusted adult. These are the teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff who take the time to connect with students, offer support, and help create a sense of belonging in our schools.

By sharing their stories, we hope to celebrate the caring adults who make PPS a place where every student feels seen, supported, and valued.

Know a staff member who goes above and beyond? Click here to nominate a trusted adult in your school to be featured in an upcoming Staff Spotlight!

A proud Jefferson High School alum and long-standing member of the Portland community, Erica Hammick serves as a Campus Safety Associate at Jefferson High School. Students and staff alike know her as a familiar, caring presence at school and school events; from athletic games to performances, she is always ready to offer support and guidance. Erica connects students with valuable community resources, listens with empathy, and fosters meaningful relationships that help students grow with confidence and responsibility.

In addition to her daily work, Erica has facilitated a girls’ group, providing a space for students to build leadership skills, strengthen their sense of belonging, and feel empowered to reach their potential. Her dedication and commitment to Jefferson students and the broader community make her a trusted adult who truly makes a difference every day.

ECHO is an interactive educational and community-building experience that allows healthcare professionals throughout the state of Oregon to create a case-based learning environment through the convenience of video connection.

What this upcoming ECHO will focus on;

This ECHO is focused on substance use prevention and early intervention systems in school contexts. Prevention work is complex, inter-professional, and requires strong partnerships. Sessions will exemplify successful models, empower teams to vision together, and assist champions to advance their own prevention efforts. This ECHO is funded by Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission.

Topics will include:

• Evidence-Based Early Intervention
• Universal and Culturally Specific Screening
• Family-Integrated Interventions
• Youth Diversion: Early Intervention and Juvenile Justice
• School-Community Organization Partnerships
• Collaboration and Leveraging Cross-Sector Funding
• Compliance with ODE Division 22

Audience:

School counselors, social workers, teachers, coaches, athletic directors, school-based health professionals, school administrators, youth services officers, youth behavioral health professionals, youth peer support, public health professionals, juvenile justice professionals

Schedule:

Alternating Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Pacific time, beginning 1/22/26 running through 6/25/26.

How to sign up:

Go to this webpage, scroll to the bottom, click the SIGN UP FOR ECHO button.

Portland Public Schools Department of Student Success & Health kicked off the 25-26 Log In and Learn Series on Thursday, Nov. 13th at 12:00 with Helping Students and Families with Screen Time Boundaries.

For our first Long In and Learn, we were so fortunate to be joined by Michael Dzwill, LCSW and Rachelann Bryant, MSW from Newport Healthcare. Michael gave an amazing presentation on what healthy boundaries with children, teens and screens looks like and how families and staff can support this. For a link to the recording click here and use Passcode: zkfeu9*Q. Link to the slides here.

⭐We also want to highlight this amazing resource created by PPS's own Ben Hildner, Scott Elementary School Counselor. Ben created a resource page with activities for Digital Citizenship Week and editable parent/child contracts in Spanish and in English https://mrhildner.weebly.com/parental-controls-for-devices.html⭐

Watch for more Log In and Learns - coming soon!

The Healthy, Substance Free Youth Coalition will be meeting Thursday, Dec. 4th from 10:00-11:30. If you didn't receive the invite, but would like to attend, please reach out to Brittany Warren to be added to the invite.

For this month's meeting, we will be talking about;

• Share the updated Vision and Mission Statements
• Start planning Family Information Events
• Plan for the Environmental Scan

Speaking of environmental scans.....We are hoping to conduct two environmental scans in the Roosevelt High School and Franklin High School catchment areas, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 11th. We are currently coordinating with both school communities to confirm the exact times.

An environmental scan is a structured process for gathering information about the local community—such as factors that influence youth behavior, available resources, and potential areas for intervention. This information helps us better understand the community environment and plan more effective strategies.

We need you to help us make this event a success 🤩 We are seeking several volunteers for each site. If you have more questions or are interested in participating, please reach out to Brittany Warren.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to PPS Students.

While 4D works to expand their youth treatment programming they will be temporarily closing the youth drop-in center at 1206 SE 11th.

During this transition:

• Our mentors who previously worked out of the community center will continue providing mentoring services to their existing clients, ensuring consistency and ongoing support.

• However, mentors will not be taking on new clients until the new campus opens.
• In the meantime, they will be actively engaging in outreach to adolescents in the community to build relationships and strengthen support networks.

For additional information, please click here and for general inquiries about the Recovery Community Center, please contact support@4drecovery.org.

For treatment and recovery service questions, please reach out to treatment@4drecovery.org.