The Palm Beach County Health Department received a Community-Based Tobacco Prevention Interventions Grant to provide tobacco prevention and cessation services.  Included in the grant is funding for the School District of Palm Beach County for tobacco prevention services.

The contract will provide funding for implementation of FACE ITSM (Families Acting Collaboratively to Educate and Involve TeensSM)   at two sites. FACE ITSM is an award winning educational, substance abuse prevention and early intervention program for youth ages 12 to 18 and their parents or caregivers. Its mission is to empower families to support their at-risk youth in making healthy choices regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), thereby improving their academic achievement. Students who are suspended for the possession or use of ATOD on school campuses or at school-sponsored events have the option of reducing out of school days by completing FACE ITSM.  Students may also self refer, be referred by their families, or be referred from Youth Court.

The impact of this project will be measured in: reduced recidivism for tobacco incidents; increased number of out of school suspension days saved; and increased availability of Alternative to Suspension programs for ATOD incidents.
Although the contract is backdated to October 18, 2010, this does not prejudice the School Board. It was not received from the Department of Health until October 13, 2010.