Reach Out Now National Teach-In

Since 2001, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), has collaborated with Scholastic Inc. to prevent underage alcohol use. The Reach Out Now (RON) initiative provides fifth- and sixth-grade teachers with an attractively designed package of materials aligned with national education standards.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have supported the RON initiative by conducting Reach Out Now Teach-Ins in fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms throughout the country. Teach-Ins are an excellent way for CBOs to deliver messages that build resistance skills among students and increase protective factors that help prevent underage alcohol use. CBOs can build on the momentum of other community prevention activities.

Frequently asked questions about Reach Out Now and Reach Out Now Teach-Ins

Community Organization Signup Form for 2009 Teach-In

Teach-In Locations

Currently available materials include:

• How To Conduct a Reach Out Now Teach-In video
• Lesson Plan and Other Activities
• Media Package
• Resources

To view 2009 materials:

	Reach Out Now: Poster (View HTML or PDF 15 MB)
	Reach Out Now: Poster/Teaching Guide (View HTML or PDF 7 MB)
	Reach Out Now: Bonus Worksheets (View HTML or PDF 7 MB)
	Reach Out Now: Family Pages (View HTML or PDF 5 MB)

To access 2007 Reach Out Now materials.

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How do Teach-Ins support RON?
Experience has shown that Teach-Ins led by prominent community leaders encourage broader use of the RON materials by youth, teachers, and parents. Community leaders also help to garner media attention about the underage drinking issue.

Together, the two school-based initiatives help to:

• Open a dialog in school and at home between fifth and sixth graders and adults about the harms of underage alcohol use.
• Build specific skills and resources within the community that help children make positive decisions leading to healthy lifestyles.
• Change social norms among youth about alcohol.
• Offer information and resources on topics of interest to parents, teachers, caregivers, and youth.

What do CBOs do?
CBOs coordinate with schools to conduct the Teach-Ins. Each CBO is charged with finding a prominent community leader to deliver its Teach-In. Mayors, Governors’ spouses, and local celebrities are often among those who make classroom presentations. They use a specially designed lesson plan that is interactive and engaging.

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Describe some of the effects of alcohol on the brain and body.
• Identify effective alternatives to using alcohol.
• Work in groups to develop an effective alcohol prevention message.

What does SAMHSA provide?
A kit to support media outreach efforts is provided to CBOs as part of the SAMHSA/CSAP technical assistance (TA) package. By bringing media attention to the Teach-Ins, CBOs can help carry the RON message to the entire community.

The TA package for CBOs also includes the lesson plan, talking points, family pages to stimulate at-home discussions, and additional classroom activities such as puzzles.

When are events held?
Both schools and CBOs are encouraged to conduct Teach-Ins during Alcohol Awareness Month in April. Having thousands of Teach-Ins across the Nation during the same timeframe helps focus media attention on the important public health issue of underage alcohol use.

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