Upstream Prevention is a Johnson County-based nonprofit with the mission to "support systems-level changes to promote public health, specifically related to the prevention and reduction of youth substance use, improved mental health of the community, and creating an environment conducive to healthy behaviors for all citizens." We live our mission every day by implementing individual-level strategies to increase awareness and skills and change behaviors and misconceptions. As an organization, Upstream supports the systems-level changes that allow individuals to thrive in an environment that prevents individuals from slipping through the gaps between referral agencies, that encourages individuals to talk about and recognize mental health as vital to overall health and supports collaborations to intervene and support individuals along the continuum of care and at every level of the socioecological model of health. We offer free community trainings (QPR, LPN, Anti-Stigma), professional development trainings (CCAR Recovery Coach Academy, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Competency, etc.), harm reduction kits and Naloxone distribution, and offer volunteer opportunties to give back to the community.
