Our Annual Community Awards

Annualy we recognize outstanding partners and youth working to expand substance use/misuse prevention and reduce the risk of behavioral health disorders. This year’s winners will be recognized at our Annual Awards Luncheon & Fundraiser on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Graduate Cincinnati.

Award Descriptions & Criteria

Rob Portman Leadership Award 

This award was created in honor former U.S. Senator Rob Portman's leadership as founder of PreventionFIRST! The individual or organization receiving this award must be from the tri-state region. They have exemplified the PF! mission by demonstrating at least two of the following criteria:

• Initiated or supported the advancement of effective, evidence-based prevention to reduce the risk or incidence of a substance use/misuse or behavioral health disorder at the system level
• Recognized the need for and championed prevention efforts in an underserved community, population, or sector
• Advocated and/or established a new policy, program, collaboration, or similar community change to improve/increase prevention work
• Provided leadership, expertise, and utilized professional/personal connections and networks to advance the PF! mission

Rachel Hutzel Prevention Partner Award 

This award was created in honor of former PF! board member, the Honorable Rachel Hutzel. The individual or organization receiving this award must be from the tri-state region. They have exemplified the PF! mission by demonstrating at least two of the following criteria:

• Initiated or notably advanced the development of community-based prevention effort
• Implemented a prevention strategy to reduce the risk or incidence of a substance use/misuse or behavioral health disorder
• Used data to identify a community need and demonstrate a positive community change
• Increased the engagement of one or more community sectors in prevention work

Carolyn Ford-Griffith Youth of the Year Award 

This award was created in honor of former PF! board member, Rev. Carolyn Ford-Griffith. The individual or organization receiving this award must be from the tri-state region. They have exemplified the PF! mission by demonstrating at least two of the following criteria:

• Initiated or supported the development of resiliency in their peer group
• Demonstrates an understanding of prevention science
• Implemented a prevention strategy to reduce the risk or incidence of a substance use/misuse or behavioral health disorder
• Advanced prevention efforts in a group, coalition, or community sector 

Mary F. Haag Coalition of the Year Award

This award was created in honor of former PF! President/CEO Mary F. Haag. The coalition receiving this award must be in PF!'s current membership roster. They have exemplified the PF! mission by demonstrating the following criteria: 

• Have made significant strides in building its coalition through the implementation of evidence-based practices, such as the Strategic Prevention Framework model and CADCA's Seven Strategies for Community Change
• Reflects substantial progress towards achieving long-term sustainability, minimizing substance use among youth, adults, and the broader community, and/or notably enhancing prevention capacity within its coalition