Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Education

Information for Superintendents

Best practice recommends that Supervisory Unions provide ATOD Education to their staff to ensure that they are prepared to address the ATOD-related issues that impact learning in school settings.

The Center for Health and Learning (CHL) makes the following recommendations and suggestions:

• Develop a plan to offer training on an annual basis.
• Communicate to staff the importance of this training. (You may request sample language for this communication at: info@healthandlearning.org.)
• Plan ahead for budget costs for an annual local training. Budget for: space, food, materials, trainer fees (or substitutes for local trainers), guest speakers, etc. Options for covering costs include:
  • Federal Consolidated Programs (SDFSC or Innovative)
  • Local Monies
  • Charging a professional development fee to teachers
• Training models may include:
  • A one or two-day event during the school year or in the summer. A two-day event with the required 12-15 hours of contact time may carry a graduate one-credit option.
  • Weekly sessions each fall or spring from 3:30-6:30 pm. This venue is desirable because it provides implementation time between sessions.
  • Time scheduled on local in-service days
• Provide information to staff about regional trainings offered through the Center for Health and Learning. Teachers and staff generally use professional development funds to attend this training. An online course option is also available.
• Send a local member of your staff who meets ATOD Education Local Trainer competencies to the Training of Trainers workshop offered by the Center for Health and Learning. This workshop will prepare your staff member to offer the ATOD training within your Supervisory Union. To view Trainer Continuum and Trainer Competencies, follow their links on tthe lefthand navigation bar.
• Advocate for ATOD Education to become part of licensure requirements.