Events

OPPA Youth Prevention Showcase

Youth prevention leaders, OPPA members, and other prevention advocates celebrated the terrific prevention work of Ohio's teens at the OPPA Youth Prevention Showcase on December 3, 2025.

The Showcase featured spotlights on three innovative youth-led prevention initiatives taking place in Ohio, through short videos created by local and state-level youth-led or youth-engaged prevention programs.

The three youth-led prevention interventions spotlighted at this year's Showcase:

• Mental Health Day – An annual event coordinated by the Wildcat Warriors, Delphos Jefferson High School Positive Peer Advocates, a program of PASS (Prevention Awareness Support Services) in Allen County.
• The PSA Project – An ongoing series of PSAs focused on positive mental health practices and support resources, created by B.A.T.S. (Bringing Awareness To Students) in Clark County in conjunction with WYSO, the region's public radio station.
• Bullying and Harassment Prevention Education – Programming delivered by the teens of SPIDEE, a program of NCCJ (Nurturing Community Cultivating Justice) in Montgomery County, to other teens and younger students to reduce bullying and harassment and encourage positive peer engagement.

We will also honor five young Ohioans with OPPA Youth Prevention Awards for their exemplary efforts in prevention. 

"The videos created by the three youth-led prevention groups showcased specific prevention interventions, exemplifying initiatives our state's young people are leading at the local and state levels," noted OPPA Treasurer and Resource Development Chair Kristina Latta-Landefeld. "Presentation of the OPPA Youth Prevention Awards, honoring some of Ohio's exceptional youth prevention leaders, lets us shine a spotlight on individual teens who are changing their schools and communities."

Showcase Host Committee

OPPA members and other prevention advocates demonstrate their support of the teens honored at the Showcase, as well as OPPA's advocacy initiatives by joining the Showcase Host Committee. Host Committee members have no responsibilities with the event; they simply make a donation at the Change Agent ($100) or Champion ($250) level.

If you would like to join the Host Committee, you can make your donation below. Please then email OPPA at mail@ohiopreventionprofessionals.org how you would like your name(s) listed (e.g., Christina Franken, Julie & Jeffrey Leist, The Walker Family).