Volunteers of America outlines Quad County SAVE prevention program to Bladen school board

Sabrina Leon, a Volunteers of America presenter, told the Bladen County Board of Education on Aug. 11 that the organization has launched the Quad County SAVE program in Bladen, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties to prevent substance misuse among youth and families. Leon said the program is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is offering evidence-based curricula and family resources at no cost to schools.

Leon described two primary programs the initiative will offer: Catch My Breath, a vaping-prevention curriculum for students in grades 5–12, and Talk. They Hear You., a resource series for parents and caregivers addressing alcohol and other substances. She said the program includes refusal skills, coping and anti-bullying education, trauma-informed care for partners, and clinically licensed staff to support services.

Leon said Volunteers of America will hold a monthly coalition meeting on the fourth Thursday at noon via Zoom and invited board members and school staff to participate and receive program brochures and contact information. She offered to share materials with district staff and follow up with Superintendent Dr. Atkinson so the board could consider school-based participation.

The presentation occurred during the meeting's citizen-participation period and prompted board members to ask whether Catch My Breath is already in other local schools; Leon said program coordination with the county health department had been disrupted by staff turnover but that Volunteers of America is operating in North Carolina and could provide additional details to the district. Leon concluded by offering printed brochures and contact details for program director Tracy Underhills.