ONDCP, HHS announce availability of over $1.1M for new Drug Free Communities Support programs

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of more than $1.1 million for new Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring program (DFC Mentoring) grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75,000 per grant, per year) to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions from across the nation. The length of the project period is up to two years.

“The Drug Free Communities support program is the largest community-focused Federal drug prevention effort in the United States”

“These grants will ensure that the most proven drug prevention strategies are spread across the country,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one of HHS’ leading agencies dedicated to preventing drug abuse, will be working closely with ONDCP in an effort to make community-level mentoring programs available where they are most needed.”

“The Drug Free Communities support program is the largest community-focused Federal drug prevention effort in the United States,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “By providing new drug and alcohol prevention coalitions with invaluable insight and direction, the DFC Mentoring program enhances community-based drug prevention efforts. It helps communities address their particular substance abuse risks and challenges, and empowers them to craft their own prevention strategies and responses.”

The primary focus of the DFC Mentoring program is to provide grant funds to existing DFC grantees, so they may serve as mentors to newly formed and/or developing coalitions that have never received a DFC grant to increase their capacity to implement effective drug-prevention strategies in the communities they serve.

“The Drug Free Communities Support program is the foundation for our Nation's efforts to prevent and reduce substance abuse,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “One of the novel things about the Mentoring Program is that it helps new community coalitions learn about effective prevention strategies from the experiences of more established coalitions.”

To be eligible for a DFC Mentoring grant, a coalition must have been in existence for five years; be a current DFC grantee or grantee applicant; have achieved measurable results in youth drug and alcohol prevention; and have dedicated staff, volunteers, or members to assist the mentee coalition(s). Prevention-ready communities seeking to be mentored under a DFC Mentoring grant must demonstrate the ability to garner community support from local key sectors and stakeholders, including youth, parents, businesses, media, law enforcement, government, and religious and civic organizations.

DFC Mentoring grants are awarded through a competitive peer review process. The deadline to submit a DFC Mentoring grant application is Friday, April 23, 2010.

To learn more about the Drug Free Communities support program, grant application, or its requirements, please visit: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/dfc

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