Young girl excited, looking at laptop screen RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS

Alternatives to Suspension

Intervention strategies like individual or group counseling, intensive educational programs, and peer-to-peer programs can help move students toward ​quit attempts and cessation.

  • Healthy Futures
    The Healthy Futures alternative to suspension curriculum is a newer component of the To​bacco Prevention Toolkit from Stanford University. It adapts some materials from the prevention modules of the Toolkit while incorporating aspects of motivational interviewing.
    • Sequence: 1, 2, and 4-hour curricula​ available
    • Grades: Middle (7/8) and high school (9-12​) students​
  • Youth Vaping Alternative Program Education (YVAPE)
    The Youth Vaping Alternative Program Education (YVAPE) is an alternative to suspension program for students facing disciplinary action for vaping in California public schools. It utilizes phone counseling sessions and educational materials to establish a relationship with students, help them learn about their vaping behavior, and promote a dialogue between students and parents.
    • Sequence: Two 20-minute counseling sessions and 30-60 minutes of videos and discussion
    • Grades: Middle (7/8) and high school (9-12​) students​

    Enrollment

    All YVAPE services are provided at no cost by the California Smokers' Helpline at UC San Diego.​ Visit the website or contact yvape-support@health.ucsd.edu​ to enroll your school in YVAPE.​

  • Brief Intervention Strategy
    A counseling intervention for adolescents who use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Developed by Dr. Ken Winters, it uses motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the stages of change model to meet the needs of students. It is designed for use by paraprofessionals in school and community settings.
  • INDEPTH
    Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is a new, convenient alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way.

    Developed by the American Lung Association in partnership with the Prevention Research Center of West Virginia University, this new free education program is available for any school or community to establish to help our teens make healthier choices.
    • Sequence: 4 sessions; each 50 minutes
    • Grades: Middle (7/8) and high school (9-12) students