Lambi Learns About Addiction: A Book About Prevention Project
Elevate Kansas is excited to feature the success stories from our Mini Grant recipients. The 2026 Community Impact Mini Grants supported short-term, community-led projects focused on coalition capacity building, youth engagement, youth mental health and well-being, and tobacco prevention and cessation.
One impactful project was led by the Sedgwick County Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, which focused on expanding supportive resources for children and families impacted by substance use throughout Sedgwick County.
Through support from the Elevate Kansas Community Impact Mini Grant, the organization expanded distribution of Lambi Learns kits to professionals and organizations serving youth affected by substance use. The project was developed in partnership with author Trish Luna, creator of Lambi Learns About Addiction: A Book About Prevention. Luna developed the book after her own family experienced the effects of substance use and she recognized a lack of age-appropriate tools available to help children process those experiences.
The book uses developmentally appropriate language to help children better understand addiction while also providing validation, emotional support, and coping strategies. It creates a safe and supportive space for children to navigate complex emotions such as confusion, fear, and guilt—feelings that are common for youth impacted by substance use but are often difficult to discuss openly.
The kits were intentionally distributed to professionals who work directly with affected youth, allowing the resources to reach children in supportive environments where trusted adults could guide conversations and provide additional care. Organizations receiving the kits shared overwhelmingly positive feedback and expressed appreciation for having tools specifically designed to support children experiencing these challenges.
Many organizations also noted plans to incorporate the book into individual sessions, group settings, and ongoing youth support services, expanding the long-term impact of the project beyond the initial distribution efforts.
In addition to providing direct resources, the initiative also created new opportunities for community collaboration. The project sparked a partnership to participate in an upcoming community event, helping expand awareness, strengthen connections between organizations, and increase visibility of available support services for drug endangered children and families.
Through collaboration, prevention-focused outreach, and compassionate support, the Sedgwick County Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children continues working to ensure youth and families impacted by substance use have access to meaningful resources, trusted support systems, and opportunities for healing and connection.
To learn more about Lambi Learnis, check out the Website to keep up with updates.
Administered by Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Health Promotion, this program provided flexible funding to support prevention and health promotion efforts across Kansas. Twenty organizations were selected to receive $1,000 mini-grants to fund locally led activities aligned with these goals. These mini grants also support the broader purpose of Elevate Kansas: strengthening community health coalitions across the state by connecting leaders, sharing resources, and supporting locally driven solutions that improve the health of Kansans.