• Make a Difference – Help people stay safe and healthy before problems happen.

• Work with Others – Connect with young people, families, schools, and local leaders.

• Support Mental Health – Teach healthy habits and help people understand mental health and substance use.

• Focus on Solutions – Prevention is about finding smart ways to stop problems before they begin.

• Be Creative – Plan fun and interesting lessons, events, and programs.

• Keep Learning – Take part in training and grow through real-life experience.

• Work in Different Places – Every day is different! You might work in schools, nonprofits, or public health offices.

• Grow Your Career – Earn certifications and move into leadership roles.

• Do Meaningful Work – Know that you are helping others live better lives.

Prevention is about stopping problems like drug use or mental health struggles before they start. If you enjoy helping people and want to support healthy lives, this could be the right job for you!

• Prevention Educator

• Prevention Specialist

• School-Based Prevention Staff

• Coalition Coordinator

• Prevention Consultant

• Youth Program Coordinator

• Community Outreach Worker

• Health Educator

• Public Health Advocate

• Trainer

• Program Manager

• Supervisor

Prevention professionals can hold many different jobs, but they all work toward the same goal—helping people make healthy choices and creating safer, stronger communities.

Prevention professionals work to keep people healthy and safe by stopping problems before they start. They create and lead programs that teach kids, families, and communities about things like substance use, mental health and suicide prevention, violence, gambling and other risky behaviors.

They often work in schools, community centers, and workplaces to help people build good life skills, make smart choices, and create safe, caring places to live and learn. 

Prevention professionals use facts, research, and teamwork to lower risks and build up strengths in people and communities. They are creative, caring, and passionate about helping others.

• Teach Others – Lead lessons and activities to help people learn about making safe, healthy choices.

• Plan Programs – Create events, classes, and campaigns that focus on stopping problems before they start.

• Work with the Community – Talk and work with schools, parents, leaders, and other groups to find the best ways to help.

• Share Information – Give people facts and tools they need to stay healthy and avoid risky behavior.

• Support Youth and Families – Help young people and their families build strong life skills and healthy habits.

• Promote Mental Health – Teach others how to take care of their mental and emotional well-being.

• Solve Problems Early – Look at what's going on in a community and find ways to fix issues before they get worse.

• Use Data – Study facts and information to understand what’s working and what needs to change.

• Organize Events – Plan things like health fairs, school programs, or community meetings.

• Facilitate Meetings – Lead group discussions to help people share ideas, make plans, and work together.

• Keep Learning – Attend trainings and workshops to improve their skills and stay up to date.

Prevention professionals do many important tasks, all focused on helping people stay healthy, avoid risky behaviors, and build stronger communities through education, support, and teamwork.

Prevention professionals support people of all ages and backgrounds by giving them the tools, knowledge, and support they need to stay safe, healthy, and strong.

• Children and teens

• Parents and families

• Teachers and school staff

• Community members

• People at risk for substance use or mental health issues

• Youth in after-school or mentoring programs

• Faith-based groups and leaders

• Health and social service providers

• Military Service Members

Did you know? One of the important ways prevention professionals do their work is by facilitating community "Coalitions." A prevention coalition is a group of people and organizations who work together to stop problems before they start. They might focus on things like preventing drug use, violence, or other issues that affect the health and safety of a community. By working as a team, they can share ideas, resources, and support to make a bigger impact.

• High School Diploma/GED: Your diploma will get you started

• Associate's Degree: Any Associate's degree will help you on this pathway. 

• Bachelor's Degree: Any Bachelor's degree will qualify you for advanced prevention work. 

Choose courses in human behavior and development, youth and family studies, public health strategies, health promotion, public policy and communication.

In addition to formal education, you'll need workshops in prevention like those offered by the OCAM Network or PTTC Network.

Learn more about education and experience options required for credentials at the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board website.