A.V.E.R.T. Harm™ (Awareness and Vigilance for Effective Response to Emerging Risks and Trends) is a comprehensive, evidence-based framework designed to prevent harm across the spectrum of human health and well-being. Built on the recognition that many crises develop gradually—through overlooked stress, distress, vulnerabilities, and risks—A.V.E.R.T. Harm trains individuals, clinicians, and public health leaders to recognize early warning signs, take timely action, and connect people with the right resources.The A.V.E.R.T. H.A.R.M.™ framework (Health-Associated Risks & Manifestations) helps communities.
Avert Harm™
Avert Harm™ is an educational service that develops and delivers training programs, curricula, certification pathways, and instructional materials in the fields of harm reduction, risk assessment, and prevention. The Avert Harm™ program serves individuals and organizations across community, clinical, educational, and public health settings, and is designed to enhance awareness, response, and leadership in addressing a wide range of preventable harms.
A.V.E.R.T. H.A.R.M.™ is a proprietary educational and training framework designed to identify, assess, and mitigate health-related risks and associated manifestations. The mark A.V.E.R.T. H.A.R.M.™ is a coined acronym, not a generic term, and is consistently used throughout program materials, manuals, and online content as the unique identifier for this program. Its acronym format, combined with the expanded meaning, distinguishes it from ordinary words or phrases in the public health and education fields.
Areas of focus within Avert Harm™ include behavioral and mental health, chronic and complex health conditions, reproductive and maternal health, population-specific vulnerabilities, healthcare and systems-based challenges, structural and social determinants, and emerging digital, environmental, or safety-related risks.
The Avert Harm™ model supports early detection, collaborative care, and integrated intervention strategies. The program is built around a structured, life-support-style framework for responding when harm is imminent or occurring. Avert Harm™ emphasizes containment, mitigation, and prevention of further damage through guided, evidence-informed action.
The program spans three tracks—Community & Frontline, Clinical, and Public Health & Systems Leadership—ensuring that each level of response is equipped with role-appropriate tools. Together, these tracks foster a culture of shared vigilance, responsibility, and proactive care.
At its core, A.V.E.R.T. Harm™ emphasizes that preventing harm is everyone’s responsibility: not waiting for the “bottle to fall off the shelf,” but stepping in before risks escalate into crises that impact individuals, families, and communities.
A.V.E.R.T. First – A Specialty Module within the AVERT Harm curriculum.
A.V.E.R.T. First™ serves as the program’s frontline module, much like basic life support does for advanced trauma or cardiac care. It equips everyday people and frontline responders with the foundational skills to notice risks early, respond with clarity, and connect those at risk to appropriate help.
While A.V.E.R.T. Harm™ provides the broad, structured framework, A.V.E.R.T. First™ ensures that the first set of eyes and hands—the neighbors, peers, coworkers, teachers, and frontline staff—are empowered to act quickly and confidently.
Together, A.V.E.R.T. Harm™ and A.V.E.R.T. First™ create a unified program that transforms awareness into action, hesitation into help, and risks into opportunities for prevention and healing.
A.V.E.R.T. Harm: Training, Development & Consultation
At A.V.E.R.T. Harm™, we empower individuals, teams, and organizations to recognize, prevent, and respond effectively to harm in all its forms. Our approach blends evidence-based frameworks with practical, real-world strategies, ensuring that every participant leaves equipped to make an immediate impact.
Avert First™
Avert First™ is an educational service that develops and delivers foundational training programs, curricula, and instructional materials focused on early prevention and recognition of risks associated with health, safety, and social well-being. The Avert First™ program serves individuals and organizations across community, clinical, educational, and public health settings, emphasizing identification of vulnerabilities, environmental and social risk factors, and promotion of proactive strategies to prevent harm.
A.V.E.R.T. F.I.R.S.T.™ is a specialized program framework that trains participants to recognize, evaluate, and respond proactively to factors influencing risks and emerging trends. The mark A.V.E.R.T. F.I.R.S.T.™ is a coined acronym, not a descriptive phrase, and is consistently used across materials, website content, and course manuals as a unique brand identifier for this program. The combination of letters and its specific acronym expansion creates a distinctive source identifier within the education and health-related services sector.”
Areas of focus within Avert First™ include emergency preparedness, environmental and social determinants of health, behavioral awareness, and population-specific vulnerabilities.
The Avert First™ framework provides introductory pathways to comprehensive harm reduction and risk management programs. It offers a proactive structure for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, risks, and barriers before they escalate into harm. Avert First™ is focused on early intervention, prevention, and readiness, equipping responders to act before a crisis begins.
Our Services Include:
1. Training Programs
Designed for Community, Clinical, and Public Health settings, our programs provide actionable skills for identifying emerging risks, mitigating harm, and fostering safer environments. Through interactive workshops, simulations, and scenario-based learning, participants gain confidence in applying life-saving strategies—from early recognition to coordinated response.
2. Professional Development
We offer tailored development sessions for teams and leaders, focusing on creating resilient systems, strengthening communication, and embedding harm reduction practices into daily workflows. Our development programs bridge theory and practice, supporting sustained behavioral and cultural change.
3. Consultation & Systems Guidance
Organizations benefit from our expert consultation services, including risk assessments, policy evaluation, and strategic planning. Whether designing new programs, enhancing existing protocols, or implementing evidence-informed interventions, A.V.E.R.T. Harm provides actionable insights that reduce harm and improve outcomes.
Why Choose A.V.E.R.T. Harm?
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Expertise Across Domains: Our multidisciplinary approach addresses mental health, chronic illness, social determinants, systemic risks, and emerging threats.
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Tailored & Practical: Every training and consultation is customized to your context, ensuring relevance and immediate applicability.
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Evidence-Based & Innovative: We combine the latest research with innovative frameworks, including the H.A.R.M.™ Typology, A.B.C.D.E.™ model, and S.C.A.N. assessment tools.
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Impact-Focused: Our goal is measurable improvement—safer communities, stronger teams, and systems that respond effectively to risk.
Get Involved
Learn how A.V.E.R.T. Harm can support your organization or community. Explore workshops, webinars, or individualized consultation services and join a growing network of professionals and leaders dedicated to proactive harm reduction.
