Prevention Services
816.361.5900
24/7 Crisis Call Line
Prevention Matters
Nearly 90% of substance use disorders start during the teenage years.
First Call knows that educating and equipping the next generation is key to ending the addiction crisis.
Addiction is complex, which is why First Call takes a multi-faceted approach to prevention.
The Regional Expert In Prevention
First Call is the regional expert in prevention, providing technical support to coalitions in the four-county region — Cass, Jackson, Johnson, and Lafayette Counties in Missouri & Kansas. As the Prevention Resource Center, we deliver evidence-based prevention programming in schools in both Kansas and Missouri.
First Call’s Prevention Specialists work in the community to educate and prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among youth.
Community Coalitions
Missouri
CASS COUNTY
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Belton CARES
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Belton Communities that Care
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Ray-Pec CARES
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Cass County Coalition
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​JACKSON COUNTY
- Lee’s Summit CARES
- Kansas City Core CTC
- South KC Strivin’
- Center CTC
- Independence Mental Health Task Force
- Kansas City Harm Reduction Advisory Council
- Eastern Jackson County Prevention
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JOHNSON COUNTY (MO)
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UCM PIP
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Johnson County Prevention
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LAFAYETTE COUNTY
- Brighter Futures Lafayette County Team Coalition
- HCC
School Based Prevention
First Call delivers evidence-based prevention programs in school settings; including Life Skills Training, Too Good for Drugs and Relapse Prevention.
​First Call works with over 50 schools to implement strategies that reduce youth risk factors and build resilience.
Our Story:
- In 2022, First Call developed new school partnerships on both sides of the state line as well as in urban, suburban, and rural communities, serving over 1,700 students through prevention programs. In the spring of 2023, First Call provided substance use prevention education services to over 50 schools and 1,356 students in the metro area.
- The 8-week program touched on multiple, age-appropriate topics for the 3rd through 12th grade students, including: communication skills, how to deal with stress and anger management.​
- Through pre and post tests given to the students, data showed a 15% growth, 8% higher than the target goal, in knowledge throughout the eight week course. One hundred percent of the participating schools have agreed to an ongoing partnership for the upcoming school year.
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First Call’s Safe and Healthy Schools program offers a menu of evidence-based and educational prevention programs at public, charter, private and parochial schools throughout the Kansas City metro area.
 The following program components are provided to area school districts free of charge thanks to the support of agency partners like Johnson County Alcohol Tax Fund, Jackson County COMBAT, private foundations, and individual donors:
Caring for Kids (K-12)
A seven-session course for youth impacted by a loved one’s substance misuse or other mental health challenges. This program helps participants regain a healthy, productive lifestyle by focusing on education, resilience, and safety.
Too Good Programs (K-12)
 A comprehensive family of evidence-based substance use, and violence prevention interventions designed to mitigate the risk factors linked to problem behaviors and build protection to resist those behaviors. Schools interested in this program can choose to implement Too Good for Drugs, Too Good for Violence, or both programs consecutively.
Life Skills Training (3-12)
(Botvin 1995) A scientific approach for addressing the critical factors found to promote substance abuse through provider-led activities and coaching with peer interaction. This highly interactive program strengthens students’ abilities in personal self-management skills, general social skills, and drug resistance skills.
Teen Mental Health First Aid (10-12)
Teaches teens how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers and friends. Upon completion of all training sessions, participants will become certified in Teen Mental Health First Aid for three years.
Adolescent Relapse Prevention Program (6-12)
First Call Prevention Specialists provide education on how to handle stresses such as peer pressure, legal problems, and family dynamics without drugs and alcohol. Participants are given the opportunity to share their experiences with their peers and learn different coping mechanisms from each other through conversations guided by the facilitator. This program is for students that have had personal experience with substance use.
Our Schools
and more!
Prevention Programs
The Prevention Department welcomes the opportunity to work with schools, businesses and organizations throughout Greater Kansas City. We offer community presentations, educational programs and recovery panels. We work with each school or agency to meet specific needs.
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Mental Health First Aid
First Call offers Mental Health First Aid training. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in the community.​
Youth Mental Health First Aid
First Call offers Youth Mental Health First Aid. This training introduces participants to the risk factors and warning signs of mental health issues in adolescents; the importance of early intervention; and teaches individuals how to help youth in crisis or who are experiencing a mental health challenge.
To schedule a training, or for more information about Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid, contact Margaux Guignon, CRPS, MRSS, Director of Prevention Services, 816-361-8058.
Tobacco Merchant Education
First Call would like to thank the merchants who do not sell tobacco products to underage youth. For more information on tobacco retailer training, click HERE.
For more information, please contact Michelle Irwin, Community Prevention Specialist, 816-800-8046.