Founded in 1974

34 West Main Street, Suite 307
Somerville, NJ 08876

Phone: (908) 722-4900
FAX: (908) 526-7564
E-mail: info@empowersomerset.com
Website: www.empowersomerset.com

Executive Director: Sharon Lutz, LSW, CPS

EmPoWER Somerset promotes protective factors and reduce risk factors in individuals, families, schools and communities by providing life skills education using evidence-based tools and practices nationally recognized by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Our services reach individuals throughout the lifespan, from preschool to retirement. We customize our programs to fit the unique needs of each population and community, with sensitivity to special needs groups such as those with disabilities or in recovery.

Our professional staff delivers high quality educational programs in various settings throughout the community and provides technical assistance to educators, therapists, faith based leaders, and other community partners to help these groups enhance their own prevention education efforts. Our extensive prevention resource center is open to the public, providing free access to hundreds of pamphlets, books, DVDs and more on alcohol tobacco and other drugs as well as a wide range of related social and mental health issues.

EmPoWER Somerset brings the following NJPN programs to Somerset County:  

• Somerset County Prevention Resource Center
• Childhood Drinking (CD) Coalition
• Disabilities and Addiction Project
• Faith-based Initiative
• Jason’s Message: Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Prevention
• Supporting New Jersey’s Military Families
• Take Control of Your Health
• Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)

We also bring the following programs to Somerset County:

Bridge to Success Program
Supported by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Addiction Services, this program utilizes the Coping with Work and Family Stress curriculum to offer an overview of daily and life stressors including suggestions for using time effectively, maintaining good health habits, changing personal habits and relaxation techniques.

Custom Prevention and Education Programs
At low or no cost, staff at EmPoWER Somerset can customize any of our programs to better suit your needs.

Communication and Conflict Resolution
This program covers how to effectively communicate with others, with emphasis on how to express feelings in a
non-threatening way, how to say what you feel and how to voice your opinions. 

Community Education and Speakers
Staff from EmPoWER Somerset present programs to schools and community groups interested in learning about various topics including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Programs are tailored to each groups’ needs.

Coordinated School Health
EmPoWER Somerset coordinates this pilot project for the central region of New Jersey, which engages participating schools in creating a school health plan to enhance and improve various aspects of student health ranging from nutrition and exercise to improving academic performance and reducing disciplinary infractions. Schools are supported in identifying priorities and setting goals that meet their unique needs and build upon their existing strengths. This project is funded by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services Child and Adolescent Health Program.

Dare to Be You
This program focuses on decision making, problem solving, assertive communication, social skills, self-esteem and empathy development for children from pre-school to third grade. This program is funded by the Division of Addiction Services.

Employee Assistance Program
We offer a comprehensive, confidential Employee Assistance Program that provides businesses with the resources they need to deal with personal or work-related problems. Businesses contracting for this employee
healthcare benefit help their employees identify and resolve substance abuse and other problems affecting their personal lives or job performance.

Faith-based Initiative
Presentations, trainings, resources and technical assistance are offered to faith-based communities at low or no cost.

Keys to Innervisions (KIV)
KIV is an 8- to 16-unit prevention education program for children and adolescents to assist them in making personal life changes. It especially targets high-risk children and teenagers and their parents/caregivers.

Somerset’s Initiative for Partying Safely (SIPS)
This project engages a diverse network of community partners in environmental strategies designed to prevent the negative consequences of alcohol abuse among young adults, especially those age 18 to 25. Specific activities are developed through the Strategic Prevention Framework five-step cycle of Assessment, Capacity, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. 

Speakers Against Tobacco Presentation
This presentation is given by cancer survivors who have had their larynx removed. These laryngectomees educate students about the dangers of tobacco through their personal stories about their battles with cancer. Information regarding the risks of tobacco use and benefits of quitting, including referrals to quitting services, is also provided.

Special Populations and Persons with Disabilities
We provide programs for people with disabilities, older adults, high-risk youth and their families. Our office is handicap accessible, and all off-site functions we sponsor are held in handicap-accessible locations.  EmPoWER Somerset helped to establish the Somerset County Childhood Disability Coalition, which created the Somerset County Childhood Disability Resource Guide and continues to provide advocacy and awareness to communities and families.

Strengthening Families Program
This program is a 14-session, science-based parenting skills, children’s life-skills, and family life-skills training program. It is specifically designed for high-risk families with children between the ages of 13 and 17. Parents and children participant in the program both separately and together. This program is funded by the Division of Addiction Services.

Substance Abuse Screenings
Our staff includes licensed professionals who offer individual substance abuse evaluations for both adolescents and adults to provide insight concerning alcohol and other drug-related problems. Appropriate referral resources are provided for needed follow-up services.

Technical Assistance
Prevention specialists are available to provide consultation, training and program development to educators, service providers and community volunteers working on prevention projects. Prevention specialists can assist with locating
scientifically-based curricula, providing supporting resource materials and much more.