Backed by STEPP: Supporting a Tobacco-Free Colorado
Second Chance is made possible through funding from Colorado’s State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP), a statewide initiative investing in prevention, education, and quit-support programs across Colorado. As part of this work, STEPP has set bold goals and strategies to guide progress statewide, including efforts to bring best practices into schools.
STEPP Goal 1: Keep Youth and Young Adults Tobacco-Free
Reduce tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, among youth and young adults under age 24 to below 15% by 2030. Achieving this goal requires early, consistent prevention efforts, particularly in schools, where young people spend much of their time and where evidence-based, supportive interventions can have the greatest impact. This statewide commitment prioritizes scalable, sustainable solutions that can be implemented consistently across schools, districts, and with community partners.
STEPP Strategy 1.2: Bring Best Practices into Schools
To achieve this goal, STEPP prioritizes integrating tobacco prevention and cessation best practices into the school environment.
Second Chance contributes by equipping schools with an alternative-to-suspension program that reinforces prevention, introduces quit support, and keeps students connected to their education.
Thanks to funding from Amendment 35 and Prop EE, Second Chance is free for all Colorado schools and youth-serving organizations.
Learn more about STEPP’s work and vision for a tobacco-free Colorado
Program Overview
The Second Chance program began in 2007 as a paper-and-pencil resource developed by RMC Health with funding from CDPHE’s State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP). Designed as a free alternative-to-suspension tool, Second Chance supported Tobacco-Free Schools policies and quickly became a trusted resource for schools and youth-serving organizations across Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Second Chance Program is dedicated to empowering middle and high school students by providing them with the tools to make informed decisions regarding tobacco and nicotine use. Below you will find essential information to help you understand how the program operates and the support available to ensure a successful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Second Chance is a program for middle and high school youth (Grades 6–12) who have a tobacco policy infraction at school or in the community. Youth can be referred by staff in schools, youth-serving organizations, or juvenile justice systems. The program can also be used preventatively with youth who are experimenting with tobacco or other nicotine products but have not yet faced disciplinary action.
Yes. Second Chance is available in English and Spanish, including a fully translated Spanish-language program and website. Spanish translation was completed by a certified professional translator to support linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance.
- Second Chance is provided free of cost in the state of Colorado.
- Schools and organizations outside of Colorado can view pricing options here.
Second Chance is a self-paced, web-based course that replaces punishment with learning and reflection. This approach keeps students connected to their education and helps promote positive health behaviors in schools and communities.
The program is highly interactive and uses activities, videos, self-reflection, and knowledge checks to help youth better understand and evaluate their relationship with tobacco and other nicotine products. The program consists of six sections: pre-survey, Tobacco and Nicotine 101, Influences, Policies and Laws, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and post-survey. Students who complete all sections receive a certificate.
Second Chance is 100% web-based and works on:
- Computers and Chromebook
- Tablets and smartphones
- Any device with an internet connection
No downloads or special software required.
Schools or organizations designate an approved Second Chance administrator to enroll students, monitor progress, and issue certificates. To become an administrator: Register Here
Yes. Students complete a short survey before and after the course. These anonymous surveys help us measure changes in:
- Knowledge of tobacco policies and health risks
- Understanding of the benefits of not using nicotine products
- Awareness of marketing and social influences
- Skills and strategies for resisting health risks
- Confidence in refusal skills
Administrators can also view student progress in real time. Program-wide data is reviewed annually and available upon request.
Yes. Second Chance uses industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect user information.
This includes measures such as:
- Encryption in transit (HTTPS) to protect data while it’s being transmitted
- Encryption at rest for sensitive student data
- Role-based access controls, so users can only access information appropriate to their role
- Secure password storage using modern encryption standards
- Audit logging and secure cloud hosting infrastructure
For more information, please review our Privacy Policy. Our Security Plan can also be provided upon request.
Second Chance is operated in accordance with applicable federal and Colorado privacy laws, as well as Action for Healthy Kids’ Privacy Policy.
Access to student progress information is limited to authorized administrators designated by the school or organization.
Second Chance survey data is reported in aggregate and anonymized formats.
Yes. Second Chance is designed to support a wide range of learners and usability needs.
The program and website are developed to align with applicable digital accessibility standards, including:
- Screen reader compatibility
- Appropriate color contrast
- Captioned multimedia content
- Audio-supported learning options
- Mobile-responsive design
Second Chance is designed to align with the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), CRS 24-34-801, and recognized accessibility guidelines such as WCAG 2.1 AA.
Second Chance content is written at approximately a 6th-grade reading level to promote clarity, comprehension, and accessibility for middle and high school students.
Preview the Student Experience
Interested in seeing how Second Chance works? Request a student demo account to explore the program content, activities, and user experience.
Second Chance Annual Subscription
The Second Chance Program provides engaging, research-backed education and practical alternatives, empowering students to make healthier choices and succeed.
Features |  |  |
|---|---|---|
FREE Access: Colorado Schools & Organizations are provided unlimited free access to Second Chance. | ||
Multiple Program Administrators: Includes registration for three administrators per school or organization (one primary administrator and two secondary administrators). | ||
Unlimited Students: Enroll as many students as needed—there are no caps or extra charges. | ||
Administrator Onboarding Training: All Second Chance administrators have access to a 45-minute on-demand training that covers how to effectively implement the program, outlines administrator roles and responsibilities, and highlights how Second Chance supports a non-punitive, supportive approach to school discipline. | ||
Technical Support: Responsive support for technical issues. | ||
Additional Support: Includes Tobacco-Free Schools (TFS) policy review, integration of Second Chance into TFS policy, development of a tiered discipline framework, and access to program data summaries. |
Out-of-State Annual Subscriptions
| Number of Schools / Organization Sites | Discount | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 School / Site | — | $1,500 |
| 2 - 5 Schools / Sites | 10% Discount | $1,350 each |
| 6 - 10 Schools / Sites | 15% Discount | $1,275 each |
| 11+ Schools / Sites | 20% Discount | $1,200 each |
Get Started Now
Nearly half of youth who vape say they want to stop, and they need support to do it.
Colorado Schools and Organizations
Thanks to funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Second Chance is free for all schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations in Colorado.
Out-of-State Schools and Organizations
Schools and organizations outside of Colorado can purchase an annual subscription. Discounts are available for multiple sites, and all subscriptions include unlimited student access.