Governor Awards Nearly Half-Million Dollars to 15 Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions
For Immediate Release: November 26, 2003
Contact: Jason Gibbs
(802) 828-3333
BURLINGTON—Today Governor Jim Douglas announced that 15 local substance abuse prevention coalitions have received Vermont Department of Health New Directions Grant Program awards for 2004.
“One of the top priorities of my administration is expanding the use of successful strategies to prevent substance abuse,” said Governor Douglas. “The New Directions Program grants enable Vermonters to address substance abuse among youth in their own communities.”
New Directions grants fund community prevention projects including mentoring and family education programs, drug-free social and recreational activities, and local information campaigns to discourage alcohol and drug use. Schools in New Directions communities often use grant funds to implement school curricula that has been proven successful in helping youth make healthier choices.
“Every child in Vermont deserves our support to have the best possible future. New Directions grants bring youth and adults together to design prevention strategies that work for their communities,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Paul Jarris. “The Health Department provides funding for these coalitions and also supports each community’s efforts with training and technical assistance to help them be more successful.”
The Department of Health measures the overall success of the New Directions coalitions with measures of student substance abuse and the level of active community involvement in local prevention initiatives.
New Directions communities have achieved reductions in rates of student substance use. In the past two years (2001-2003), New Directions communities saw a 15% drop in tobacco use and an 8% drop in recent alcohol use.
The 2004 New Directions grants total $457,740 and are awarded to:
- Addison NWSU Prevention Council—$34,800 Will implement a program designed to teach 10-15 year olds social skills including peer resistance and decision making.
- Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition—$27,877 Will improve the local coordination of prevention programs and continue a parent education program.
- Cabot Coalition—$14,047 The coalition will implement a school-based program for 6-8 graders.
- Central Vermont New Directions—$27,700 Will do advertising with local media for drug prevention.
- Chittenden East Community Partnership—$29,758 Chittenden East will expand parent education opportunities.
- CY—Connecting Youth in Chittenden South—$36,628 Will deliver parent education programs and expand their mentor program to four communities.
- Deerfield Valley Community Partnership (Windham Southwest SU)—$36,751 Deerfield will develop media to prevent and reduce use among community youth and will continue the parent education program.
- Essex CHIPS—$35,824 Essex Chips will continue their mentor program for middle school youth and increase business and adult participation in the coalition.
- Flood Brook Community Collaborative (Windsor SWSU; Burr and Burton)—$31,105 Will continue their parent education program, their mentor program for youth ages 3-8 and will begin a prevention program for girls age 11-14.
- Franklin County Caring Communities Project—$19,600 The Project will expand their mentor program to two additional communities.
- Harwood Community Network—$24,450 Harwood will expand their parent education program.
- Rutland Area Prevention Coalition—$36,800 Rutland will develop a media campaign focusing on alcohol and marijuana prevention.
- South Burlington New Directions Coalition, Inc.—$30,000 South Burlington will provide two parent education programs.
- Springfield Prevention Coalition—$36,800 Springfield will continue their mentor program for Springfield youth. The AHS Safe and Drug Free Schools/Communities Grant awarded an additional $35,600.
- New Directions for Barre—$35,600 The Barre program will increase the number of youth participating in a school-based program and provide each participant in the program a mentor.