Montage Health Partners with County of Monterey to Launch Peer-led Opioid and Substance Use Prevention Education Initiative for Youth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTEREY, Calif — Montage Health Foundation has been awarded a $1,560,281 3-year contract from the County of Monterey Health Department to launch a new opioid and substance use prevention education initiative for Monterey County youth. Approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors in April, the program will begin in fall 2026 and is designed to address rising concerns about opioids such as fentanyl and other substances impacting young people today.
“When young people are empowered to lead, we create stronger, healthier communities for everyone,” says Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services for the County of Monterey Health Department. “Through our partnership with Montage Health, this initiative creates opportunities for youth to engage in open conversations, build meaningful connections, and become champions for substance use prevention among their peers. Together, we’re investing in the well-being of our youth and helping ensure they have the support, knowledge, and confidence to make healthy choices.”
Developed in partnership with the County of Monterey Health Department, this initiative aligns with and is supported by the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) and the Safe and Healthy Schools coalition. The initiative will deliver peer‑led, age‑appropriate drug prevention education to eighth-, ninth-, and 10th‑grade students across the county. The program will be offered in collaboration with Stanford’s REACH curriculum team and implemented following California and National Health Education Standards and AB 2429 opioid prevention education requirements.
“MCOE is proud to partner with Montage Health on this important work,” says Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. “This initiative strengthens the safety and well‑being of our school communities by giving students the knowledge and support they need to make healthy choices. It’s a powerful example of how collaboration can positively impact families across Monterey County.”
“Our mission is to improve lives, and there is no better place to start than by educating and protecting our youth,” says Kevin Causey, president of Montage Health Foundation. “This initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating safer, healthier futures for young people across Monterey County. Montage Health is proud to partner with the county and local schools to bring evidence‑based, youth‑centered education directly into classrooms.”
Montage Health brings deep experience to this effort through its longstanding drug and alcohol prevention programming in schools and its strong commitment to youth leadership in substance-use education. For years, Montage Health has partnered with educators to empower students as trusted peer leaders.
This expertise is strengthened by the clinical leadership of Ohana, Montage Health’s youth and family mental health program. Ohana’s clinicians work daily with young people and families navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and the pressures facing today’s youth, making this initiative a natural extension of Montage Health’s commitment to prevention and early intervention.
Together, this foundation of school-based programming, youth-led drug prevention, and clinical expertise positions Montage Health and its partners to deliver meaningful, education that supports the health and well‑being of students across Monterey County.
Program overview
Over the course of one academic year, trained student-peer educators will deliver workshops during regular instructional time, such as health classes, extended learning opportunity time, or FLEX/advisory periods, at no cost to students at participating schools. The peer‑to‑peer model is designed to create a relatable, engaging environment that encourages open conversation and informed decision‑making.
Through this program, students will learn about opioids such as fentanyl and substance use risk, build decision-making and refusal skills, and strengthen protective factors that support healthy choices.
“Our goal is to create a safe, informed environment where youth, parents, and school personnel can talk openly about substances, mental health, and healthy lifestyle choices,” says Yasmine Elsherbini, director of Montage Health’s Community Health and Wellness Department and leader of the new initiative.
The program will recruit and train student leaders to deliver drug prevention education in 20 schools, reaching more than 100 classrooms each year while also providing teacher‑led curriculum, training, evaluation, and technical support as the peer‑led model is developed. Schools will have access to $1,500 in grants to support policy or environmental changes that reduce opioid misuse and overdose, and students interested in starting drug‑prevention clubs will receive guidance and support. In addition, the initiative will host countywide symposia for students, parents, and school personnel to strengthen community awareness and engagement.
Montage Health invites schools to partner in bringing peer‑led drug prevention education to their eighth-, ninth-, and 10th grade students.
Schools interested in participating or learning more may contact:
Rowena Killens, Community Health Liaison
Montage Health
rowena.killens@montagehealth.org
(831) 644-7447
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ABOUT MONTAGE HEALTH
Montage Health is a nonprofit healthcare organization with deep roots in Monterey County dating back more than 92 years. Independent and locally owned, Montage Health was created by Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula to deliver exceptional care to more people. Centered at the hospital, Montage Health’s network includes MoGo Urgent Care, Montage Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, Montage Wellness Center, Montage Medical Group for primary and specialty care, Aspire Health Plan, and Ohana, a family-focused youth mental health program. Montage Health is continually investing in healthcare innovations to make the highest standard of care accessible to everyone in Monterey County.
ABOUT COUNTY OF MONTEREY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The County of Monterey Health Department (HD) exists to enhance, protect, and improve the health of the people in Monterey County. To accomplish this, HD provides a wide variety of health-related services in the areas of public health, environmental health, behavioral health, and clinic services. HD is an accredited health department and has undergone a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures. For more information on programs and initiatives visit www.mtyhd.org.
ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
The Monterey County Office of Education provides the leadership, support, and service excellence needed to prepare the diverse students of Monterey County for success in each step of their educational journey. MCOE provides vital resources to support the county's 24 school districts and eight charter schools. MCOE is a vital component of the K-12 education system, serving as a critical link between county schools and both state and federal governments. To learn more about MCOE, visit www.montereycoe.org.
