Youth & Families

Prevention & Early Intervention

Evidence-based substance misuse prevention, early intervention and adolescent treatment for Indian River County youth and families.

Questions About a Young Person?

Thrive IRC offers evidence-based substance misuse prevention, early intervention and adolescent treatment for youth and families in Indian River County, Florida. Our programs run in schools and community sites across the county, and our prevention programs are CARF-accredited. Call 772-770-4811 to learn more or make a referral.

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Our Universal Prevention programs serve youth across Indian River County in schools and at community partner sites. Using evidence-based curricula, prevention specialists build skills like emotional regulation, decision-making, stress management and healthy coping. We partner with more than 20 schools and nonprofits across the county.

PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Universal Prevention

Evidence-based programs delivered in schools and at community partner sites include:

  • Botvin LifeSkills Training
  • Prevention Plus Wellness (SPORT, Vaping and Marijuana)
  • Erika's Lighthouse
  • WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) for older adults, with community partners
Community Prevention

Prevention works best when the whole community is involved. The Thrive Coalition brings together law enforcement, educators, healthcare, faith leaders, youth-serving organizations and young people to reduce risk factors across Indian River County. Community campaigns include:

  • Talk. They Hear You. Helping parents start early conversations about alcohol and other substances
  • One Pill Can Kill: Raising awareness about counterfeit pills
  • Most Teens Don't: Promoting positive social norms about teen substance use
Thrive Youth Coalition

The Thrive Youth Coalition builds leadership among young people at Boys & Girls Clubs in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere, Indian River Charter High School and Storm Grove Middle School. See more on our mission page.

For youth who are engaging in risky behaviors, often referred by schools, law enforcement or the juvenile justice system, Thrive offers personalized early intervention. Each young person has an intake assessment, and a prevention specialist builds a plan that combines individual and group sessions using curricula such as LifeSkills Training, Prevention Plus Wellness, Teen Intervene and Decision Points.

WHAT WE OFFER

Early Intervention (Prevention Works)
  • Individual risk assessments and ongoing evaluation
  • Individual, group and family sessions with trained prevention specialists
  • Parenting groups to strengthen communication at home
  • Drug testing to monitor progress
What Families Can Expect

Our Prevention Works program is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Youth attend weekly group sessions, and parents or guardians play a key role, including transportation to appointments and, when requested, family sessions. Participants have rights under Florida Statutes 397.501, including confidential records and access to a grievance process.

Enrolled families can download the Thrive Prevention Handbook (PDF) for group rules, program agreements, client rights and privacy information.

Adolescent Treatment

Adolescent treatment provides clinical care for youth with substance use and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Services include individual, group and family counseling, substance use education, healthy coping skills, trauma resolution and motivational enhancement strategies.

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why families choose thrive.

  • Serving Indian River County since 1989 (formerly the Substance Abuse Council and the Substance Awareness Center)
  • CARF-accredited Day Treatment, Outpatient Treatment and Prevention programs
  • Licensed clinicians and certified peer recovery specialists
  • Evidence-based care guided by American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria
  • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit with offices in Vero Beach and Sebastian

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does a young person get into Thrive's early intervention program?
Youth are often referred by schools, law enforcement or the juvenile justice system. Families with questions can call 772-770-4811 to ask about a referral.
What happens in the Prevention Works program?
Each youth starts with an intake assessment. A prevention specialist then builds a plan combining individual, group and family sessions using evidence-based curricula, with drug testing to monitor progress. Youth attend weekly groups and parents are involved throughout.
Does Thrive offer prevention programs in schools?
Yes. Thrive delivers evidence-based prevention curricula such as Botvin LifeSkills Training and Prevention Plus Wellness in schools and at community partner sites across Indian River County.
Does Thrive treat teens with substance use problems?
Yes. Thrive provides adolescent treatment for youth with substance use and co-occurring psychiatric conditions, including individual, group and family counseling.
Where can I find the Thrive Prevention Handbook?
The Prevention Handbook for enrolled youth and families is available as a PDF download.
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mental health support team legal office

35

Years of Service

1500

Professionals Trained

50+

Community Partners