If you’ve been following our Prevention series, you’re probably feeling energized and ready to launch or revamp Title IX prevention initiatives on your campus or in your district. However, the road to creating impactful programs can be daunting. Budget constraints, limited staff, and uncertainty about where to begin are all common challenges faced when rolling out prevention programs.

The key thing to remember? Starting is crucial — even if it’s small or imperfect. Every little step counts toward building a stronger, safer community. So, let’s talk about practical, low-cost prevention and awareness ideas that can be implemented with minimal manpower.

1. Embrace Grassroots EffortsOne of the most effective ways to begin is by embracing grassroots initiatives; specifically, involving student voices in the planning and execution of prevention programs. Students are more likely to respond to prevention efforts when they feel they’ve had a hand in shaping them.

   Identify students who have influence over key peer groups — these could be student leaders, athletes, or those with a broad social following. Ask for their feedback on how best to reach their peers with prevention messages. Their insights can make your efforts more effective and resonate with the wider student body.

2. Leverage Local “Star Power”Take a closer look at your campus or district community and see if there are faculty members who have a significant following or influence. Who are the professors that students admire? Is there an expert on the faculty with a strong reputation in an area relevant to prevention, such as healthy relationships, mental health, or bystander intervention?

   Enlist these individuals to headline panels, lunch & learns, or even record interviews that can be shared on social media. Their presence will lend credibility to your prevention efforts and attract attention from students who respect their expertise.

3. Host a Pop-upSometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective, like setting up a table in a high-traffic area or at a popular campus event. Students are more likely to stop by and engage if the materials are readily available and approachable.

   If the topic of prevention is new to your campus or there may be challenges to obtaining requisite approvals for a pop-up like this, consider ways to present material that feels relevant to a broader range of issues. Focus on the basics, like the signs of healthy relationships or the importance of kindness and mutual respect. Emphasize bystander intervention with a simple, “see something, say something” message, providing tools for students to take small actions that create a safer and healthier culture on campus.

4. Utilize Social MediaIf you’re not already using social media for prevention efforts, consider how you can create easily digestible content to reach your students where they most likely already are – on their phones. You can establish your own social media presence, or simply seek opportunities to publish content under an existing campus or district account. This is a great space to plug in a talented student who could assist with creating posts that are relevant and engaging.

   By taking a little time to carefully craft a few posts or series of posts, you’ll build a lasting library of prevention content to impact current and future students.

5. Support Always: A Core Element of PreventionRemember, a strong and caring response to each report is a form of prevention. Ensure every complainant is met with support, regardless of whether the conduct rises to the level of a Title IX violation. Providing thorough support ensures that issues are addressed early and reduces the risk of escalation into more severe forms of harassment.

   Even if the issue doesn’t immediately qualify as sexual harassment, it is essential to refer individuals to the appropriate campus processes. The act of following through with the right support systems demonstrates that the community takes these matters seriously.

The most important thing to remember is to just begin — no matter how small, with the resources you have. Starting small doesn’t mean starting ineffective; it means you’re making progress. As you continue to show up for this work, your prevention programs will grow and evolve.

As our own Betsy Smith says, “It’s okay to laugh at yourself!” Let it be imperfect, make mistakes and keep going. You’ve got this!

Blog post by ICS’ newest team member, Kelsey Baker. Kelsey has over a decade of experience working in education (both K12 and higher ed), serving most recently as the Title IX Coordinator for a private university.