LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan 180 will be holding two trainings in the CATCH My Breath Youth Vaping Prevention Program. The training will take place on two Fridays, February 16 and March 15, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the CVI Building. 

Sullivan 180 is seeking school staff, youth workers and community volunteers involved with community health who would be willing to lead the program with young people in school and after-school settings. Community youth organizations are another location possibility.

According to the Mid-Hudson Regional Community Health Needs Assessment, Sullivan County suffers from the highest rates of smoking in the Hudson Valley.

The CATCH My Breath pilot study found that if implemented as intended, roughly 45 percent of students would not try an e-cigarette in a given year. The overall goal of CATCH My Breath is to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette use among students and is designed to help students identify reasons why young people might start using e-cigarettes; recognize the subtle—and not-so-subtle—messages in e-cigarette advertising; practice skills for resisting peer pressure and advertising pressure to use e-cigarettes and more. Adults trained will gain free access to the complete curriculum. 

Partnering organizations including Catholic Charities and Tobacco Free Action Communities Reality Check Program will also be on hand to provide schools with support and additional resources.

Registration is required. Call Nicole Blais, Sullivan 180 prevention coordinator, at 845/295-2684 or nicole@sullivan180.org.