Support, Treatment, Engagement, Education, and Resilience
(Project STEER)

Serving students from high-need neighborhoods, Project STEER focuses on equipping young people to avoid prescription drug misuse and other substance-use risks before they ever take hold.

Through weekly small-group sessions, youth build practical skills in communication, decision-making, refusal skills, and emotional regulation, using the evidence-based curriculum and a specialized prescription drug abuse prevention module. Sessions take place in schools and community settings, creating a familiar, supportive environment for learning and growth.

For youth who are already impacted by substance use in their families or communities, Project STEER offers monthly one-on-one virtual mentoring and connections to additional clinical support when needed. Caregivers are also engaged through Parent Circles, family dinners, and referrals to wraparound services through Gang Alternative’s UPLIFT Service Partnership.

By combining mentoring, skill-building, and family engagement, Project STEER helps young people build resilience, make safer choices, and move toward a healthier future.