Mendez Foundation

Effective prevention education does more than teach students what to avoid. It equips them with the skills they need to succeed. By building confidence through the development of decision-making, communication, and refusal skills, prevention education prepares adolescents to make healthy choices and resist risky behaviors like substance use as they plan for their bright futures.

TGFD - Maximizing Life Grade 7 has been updated to meet today’s adolescents where they are and the real-world situations they face every day. This edition includes refreshed scenarios and situations featuring more technology related interactions, environments, and applications more relevant and engaging for middle school learners.

The Effects of Ni****ne Use on the Brain and Body lesson has been expanded to address current trends, including an enhanced look at va**ng and ni****ne pouches, helping students better understand the risk associated with current and trending ni****ne use. Activity refinements provide a smoother classroom experience with simpler game play while maintaining meaningful opportunities for student learning and discussion.

Join us in Chicago, Illinois, June 16-18 for the next Open Enrollment Curriculum Training. Sessions cover Maximizing Life, A Peaceable Place, and Seeds of Nutrition for K-12. The Too Good training workshops provide hands-on, interactive learning in a collaborative setting where participants gain knowledge in prevention education, critical curriculum insights, and effective development strategies through real-world application to help you maximize student outcomes and process outcomes in your prevention program.

We look forward to connecting with educators, prevention specialists, counselors, and community leaders as we work together to strengthen prevention efforts and support positive outcomes for the youth in your communities. Space is limited. Register today to reserve your spot!

As another school year comes to a close, we want to recognize your impact in forging a bright path for your students through your commitment to prevention education. Because of your work, your students have the knowledge, confidence, and skills they will need to make healthy choices. They’re heading into summer better prepared to avoid substance use, navigate challenges, resolve conflict peacefully, and pursue their goals with purpose. Your dedication to prevention is shaping stronger, healthier futures for the youth you serve.

Names may change, but the promise remains the same. Maximizing Life brings the evidence-based lessons, structure, and outcomes you have trusted from the Mendez Foundation since 1978. As we gear up for the next series of updates, you will find the same programs simply under a refreshed name. The core curriculum content, theoretical framework, delivery model, and instructional design continue with freshened scenarios activities, and other enhancements.

TGFD - Maximizing Life is the new name for Too Good for Drugs. The change reflects the program’s broader impact and long-term vision for your children, their families, and your communities and what we see as the bigger picture, focusing not just on what students avoid but what they gain. Look for the change in the latest program updates in middle school and high school.

Summer programs are right around the corner. Now’s the time to play with purpose!
Too Good OST gives you the tools to bring prevention into your summer program with activities that are interactive, age-appropriate, and easy to implement. From building communication and decision-making skills to promoting healthy choices, every lesson is designed to keep young minds engaged and supported.
Keep your kids active, learning, and growing all summer long with programming that makes a lasting impact.

Prevention starts with awareness and grows with action. From building life skills to strengthening families and communities, small steps today can reduce risks tomorrow. This week, take a moment to learn, share, and support prevention efforts in your community.

May 10-16 is National Prevention Week. Strong prevention builds strong communities. Substance use prevention education gives young people the tools they need to make healthy choices, make positive peer connections, build resilience, and reject unhealthy risks. Prevention establishes clear substance free norms and expectations from an early age that will guide their healthy living for a lifetime.

Prepare now for your summer program with Too Good OST!
Built for out-of-school, Too Good OST brings engaging, movement based activities to build confidence, strengthen decision-making skills, and stay on a healthy path, all with a good helping of fun. Whether you’re running a summer camp or an enrichment program, keep your students learning, growing, and thriving all summer long and have a lot of fun doing it.