About the DPS Substance Use Prevention Program
Our Mission
The DPS Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Program was created to support schools with prevention and early intervention supports for youth substance use; included is a focus on reducing racial disparities in discipline by promoting the use of alternatives to suspension for substance related offenses.
The SUP Program directly supports the district's commitment to the Whole Child through its use of evidence-based, social emotional programming.
Program Goals
Decrease past 30 day use for students who are using substances.
Increase the perception that there is moderate or great risk for youth using substances.
Delay use for non-using students.
Decrease negative behaviors and emotions.
Our Team
Leah Raffa (she/hers)
Prevention Specialist & Grant Coordinator
Leah has worked as a prevention specialist for Denver Public Schools since August 2016. Prior to joining the DPS team, Leah worked for the Denver Office of Drug Strategy, where she worked to connect youth in Denver with resources needed to make safe and healthy decisions regarding drugs and alcohol. Leah earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University in May of 2014. She is inspired daily by the youth in DPS who are working hard to make the world a better place.
Haley Figueroa (she/hers)
Prevention Specialist - Trainer
Haley has spent the past 20 years as a DPS school social worker promoting resilience and growth with youth. Her current role focuses on substance abuse prevention and intervention training school teams with evidence-based programs. Haley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver and is currently adjunct faculty at DU’s Graduate School of Social Work. Haley is deeply invested in high-quality, whole-child education for all youth and believes school is a critical place for upstream prevention, social-emotional learning and timely intervention for behavioral and substance abuse issues.