About Prevention Academy

Housed within Saint Joseph’s University's School of Education and Human Development, Prevention Academy is rooted in the idea of cura personalis, inspiring healthy individuals and communities through the promotion of health and wellness, good decision-making, climate and culture building, and prosocial identity development.

Our Approach to Prevention

Prevention Academy advances the health and well-being of young people through comprehensive, evidence-informed prevention education. Working across three counties, we serve students in grades 4–12 and equip the adults who shape their lives, including parents, guardians, caregivers, educators, school administrators, and community members, with the knowledge and skills to support healthy development. Through education, professional training, and community partnerships, we strengthen protective factors, build essential life skills, and foster a culture of prevention across schools, families, and communities.

Education and Programming

We deliver developmentally appropriate education and practical learning opportunities that promote health, wellness, and informed decision-making.

• Intensive Student Education (ISEs): Build essential life skills, strengthen protective factors, and support healthy decision-making among students in grades 4–12.
• School and Family Engagement: Facilitate faculty and parent/caregiver meetings that provide education, resources, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between schools and families in support of young people's health and well-being.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with community stakeholders to strengthen prevention efforts and create supportive environments for young people.

Research and Program Evaluation

We use student feedback and community input to inform our programming and support continuous improvement.

• Community-Informed Practice: Engage community stakeholders to understand local needs and priorities and inform prevention programming.
• Student Feedback and Program Evaluation: Use our Student Comments survey to gather student responses to educational content and skills on a Likert scale, alongside open-ended feedback that captures students’ perspectives and experiences.
• Strengths-Based Prevention: Focus on the skills, relationships, and protective factors that support young people's resilience, healthy development, and well-being.

Professional Training and Capacity Building

We strengthen the prevention workforce and prepare current and future professionals to integrate health, wellness, and prevention into their work.

• Professional Development: Offer biannual Basic and Advanced Professional Trainings for prevention specialists, alongside ongoing professional development throughout the academic year.
• Preparing Future Professionals: Partner with Saint Joseph’s University to engage undergraduate and graduate students in the Schools of Education and Nursing and Allied Health, preparing future educators and healthcare providers to integrate prevention into their professional practice.
• Workforce Development: Provide training opportunities for community members pursuing prevention specialist certification and prepare graduate students in the helping professions to understand prevention alongside intervention and recovery.
• Train-the-Trainer: Equip trusted adults with the knowledge and practical skills to engage young people in conversations about healthy behaviors, informed decision-making, and prevention.

Our prevention specialists undergo rigorous training and are required to pass state and federal background checks before joining our team. The latter is in compliance with Saint Joseph's University policies for teacher education; for more information, visit the background clearances webpage.

Prevention Specialists will also engage in ongoing professional development opportunities throughout the year. These experiences are designed to support continued professional growth and ensure staff remain informed about the latest data, best practices, and emerging trends in the field of Prevention Education.

Don DiJulia '67
Vice President for Athletics/Athletic Director, SJU Athletics

Rev. Daniel R.J. Joyce, SJ, BA '88
Vice President, Mission and Ministry

Stephen Forzato, MS
Director, Center for Addiction and Recovery Education

Kevin O’Kane
Executive Vice President of Business Development, O’Kane Enterprises

Joan Dawson McConnon
Project HOME co-founder

Jennifer K. Niles, PhD, NCC, NCSC, ACS
Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Christine Rizzo, MA, CFRS
Executive Director, Shevlin Family Foundation

Tim Ryan, MEd
Co-Founder and Senior Prevention Specialist, Pathways for Prevention

Eduardo Torres
Co-Founder and Senior Prevention Specialist, Pathways for Prevention