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.org

Executive Director: Sharon Lutz, LSW, CPS

EmPoWER Somerset has been proudly serving individuals, families and communities of Somerset County for over 35 years. Established in 1974 as the Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency, our focus has expanded over time to include a comprehensive approach to reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors to prevent the incidence of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse and dependency in addition to providing information and assistance to those in need of help.

Our professional staff delivers high quality educational programs in various settings throughout the community and also 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
• Compass Gang Prevention Program
• Disabilities and Addiction Project
• Faith-based Initiative
• Jason’s Message: Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Prevention
• Supporting New Jersey’s Military Families
• 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 offers 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.

Community Partnerships for a Tobacco-free NJ
Funded by the N.J. Dept. of Health and Senior Services Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program, this program provides health education programs, raises awareness about New Jersey’s Smoke-free Air Act and works to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke among all New Jersey residents. EmPoWER Somerset is also a member of the Somerset County Cancer Coalition.

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.

Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies (REBEL)
A youth-driven tobacco control movement designed to prevent and reduce the spread of tobacco use among adolescents and other community members.

Speakers Against Tobacco Presentation
This presentation is given by cancer survivors who have had their larynx removed. These aryngectomees educate students about the dangers of tobacco through their personal stories about their battle with cancer.

Special Populations and Persons with Disabilities
We provide programs for people with disabilities, senior citizens, high-risk youth and their families. Our office is  handicap accessible, and all off-site functions we sponsor are held in handicap-accessible locations.

Strengthening Families
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 professionals who offer individual substance abuse evaluations for both adolescents and adults to provide insight concerning alcohol and other drug-related problems. Our professional staff will provide the most appropriate referral resources for any follow-up services that are needed.

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.