Upcoming Youth Prevention Conference reflects Hazelden Betty Ford's growing focus on keeping healthy kids healthy

Center City, Minn. (September 17, 2021) – Fostering a culture of prevention in schools and communities requires developing and expanding systems that nurture youth health, strengthen families, and bolster school and community wellbeing—and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's Youth Prevention Conference on Sept. 21 during National Recovery Month will facilitate meaningful sharing of prevention science and practices.

Joseph Lee, MD, president and CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford—the nation's largest nonprofit provider of addiction treatment, co-occurring mental health care, recovery resources and related prevention and education services—and a triple-board certified physician, will deliver the keynote address.

At the virtual Youth Prevention Conference, participants will learn how to:

• develop a systems approach to comprehensive prevention planning, implementation and outcomes;
• define opportunities to keep healthy kids healthy;
• explore data-driven, effective methodologies for increased student wellness in school and community settings; and
• engage children, teens, and young adults in prevention strategies that work for them.

The conference launches Hazelden Betty Ford's integrated and expanded Prevention Solutions division, which unifies the organization's portfolio of prevention programs and resources to create the best solutions and customer experiences. The portfolio includes evidence-based curricula, school- and community-based substance use prevention programs, community engagement and parent education opportunities, surveys and assessments to identify student attitudes and behaviors, specialized programming for families and for children who grow up with addiction in the home, on-site staff trainings, workplace wellness initiatives and more.

"We understand that prevention must be at the forefront of our strategic aim if we are to help more people lead healthy and happy lives, free from addiction," said Dr. Lee. "By bringing together our many services, products and solutions into a single, prevention-based ecosystem, we can protect and uplift entire systems and societies."

The Youth Prevention Conference offers continuing education (CE) credits for live participants, and will be available for on-demand viewing.