LaunchPad

About LaunchPad

The transition out of high school is a critical developmental window. During senior year and the months that follow graduation, young adults experience major life changes—starting college or a job, entering the military, moving away from home, and forming new peer groups. Research shows that substance use rates increase sharply during this period, yet most prevention programs are delivered earlier in high school or after students have already transitioned into college.

A brief, online substance use prevention program created to support high school seniors as they prepare for life after graduation. Evidence based and grounded in decades of prevention science, LaunchPad focuses on practical, real-world skills that help students manage stress, navigate peer influence, and make healthier decisions.

Reaching students before substance use peaks, LaunchPad helps shift trajectories at a natural turning point in their lives.

  • Practical stress-management and coping skills for life after high school
  • Stronger decision-making and refusal skills related to alcohol and other substances
  • Tools to use protective strategies and reduce risk in real-world situations
  • Upstander and peer-support strategies to help friends stay safe
  • Increased confidence navigating college, work, military service, or other post-graduation pathways

LaunchPad is currently being evaluated through a large-scale, NIH-funded research study with high schools across the country. Benefits for schools participating in the research study include:

  • Free access to a research-based, NIH-funded prevention program during the study period
  • Financial incentives for participation, including school and liaison stipends
  • Fully online delivery with streamlined implementation to minimize staff burden
  • No teacher training or lesson preparation required
  • A turnkey solution designed specifically for senior-year prevention

Engage, Educate, & Empower

We are here to help. Our clients depend on us to develop their athletes, community and businesses. Whether you are in the initial stages of identifying the health challenge you would like to target, or further along in your programming and ready to formally assess the impact of your efforts, the experienced researchers at Prevention Strategies can help. Let’s explore a partnership today.