Northland Coalition Awarded Federal Grant

The success of its substance abuse prevention and education programs has earned the Northland Coalition the continuation of a major federal grant. The Coalition, which is pivotal to Tri-County Mental Health’s prevention program strategic plan, has been recognized at both the state and national level for its innovative programs proven to result in positive behavioral changes leading to healthier, substance-abuse free lifestyles.

The Northland Coalitions is composed of adult volunteers from social service, education, legal and law enforcement fields as well as the community at large in Clay, Platte and Ray counties. High school students, members of Youth With Vision, serve as a youth advisory council.

“We appreciate the dedicated volunteers and prevention partnerships across the Northland that make this program a success. We are delighted their committed efforts to help reduce alcohol and other substance abuse in our communities through our outreach programs have again been recognized by The Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC,)” Prevention Services Manager Vicky Ward said. Ward touts the commitment of time and talent of the volunteers and staff for the creation and implementation of programs leading to such successful outcomes they have earned state and national awards and recognition. “Their work and the proven success of our programs has been directly responsible for earning us full funding for the entire 10 years of eligibility,” Ward said.

The grant is awarded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) through the Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC,) which is a collaborative effort between the ONDCP and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The ACT MO state agency (Association of Community Task Forces) is oversees the distribution of the grant.

According to the Drug Free Communities Act of 1997, the goal for the funding is to reduce substance abuse among youth as well as adults by uniting the efforts of public, private and non-profit agencies, as well as individual community members.

This is the 10th and final year the Northland Coalition can qualify to receive the $100,000 grant.

“We are grateful for the years of support we have received,” Ward said. “And we are currently actively working to find ways to self-fund our programs to continue the proven, important contributions they make to our communities.”

Local community teams of volunteers in Clay, Platte and Ray counties form the Northland Coalition, which meets monthly in the Health Services Building, 3100 NE 83rd St., Kansas City, MO. For more information visit www.northlandcoalition.com.

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