Drug Free Communities GrantThe 2009 Request for Applications (RFA) for the Drug Free Communities program will be released on or about January 12, 2009. Subsequent to the release, application workshops will be held around the country to assist communities in responding to the details of the RFA. The closest one to Seattle will be held in Portland on Monday, February 2, 2009. Although there is no registration cost to attendees, you must RSVP.
The grants support coalitions of youth; parents; media; law enforcement; school officials; faith-based organizations; fraternal organizations; State, local, and tribal government agencies; healthcare professionals; and other community representatives. The Drug Free Communities Support Program enables the coalitions to strengthen their coordination and prevention efforts, encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts, and disseminate information about effective programs.
Stipend for Teach-In
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is making available a limited number of stipends for community-based organizations (CBOs) to conduct Reach Out Now Teach-Ins (RONTIs). Stipends in the amount of $300 will be awarded to up to 2,000 organizations on a first-come, first-serve basis. CBOs must declare their intent to participate by completing an online confirmation form.
Since the NE Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking held a Town Hall Meeting in March 2008, our community is eligible for the stipend. Please contact me if you are part of the NE Seattle community and would like to host a Teach-In.
The U.S. Department of Education´s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools recently announced that they are accepting applications for the Grants to Prevent High-Risk Drinking and Violent Behavior Among College Students competition. They anticipate awarding 18 grants in the amount of $100,000-$150,000 each. The deadline to apply is Jan. 30, 2009.
This program provides funds to develop, enhance, implement, and evaluate campus-based and/or community-based prevention strategies to reduce high-risk drinking and violent behavior among college students.
School Character Education Grant
The Sprint Character Education Grant Program accepts applications for funding of character education programs promoting leadership, youth volunteerism, character education, and school pride. Grants will fund the purchase of resource materials, supplies, teacher training, and equipment that facilitates character education for K–12 students.
Applications for 2009 will be accepted February 1-27. Public schools may apply for individual school grants up to $5,000.
Youth Violence Prevention Grant
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will award a pair of $500,000 grants to assess the efficacy of community policy, economic and environmental changes aimed at reducing youth violence.
"The purpose of this program of research is to assess the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions and policies designed to change the economic or environmental characteristics of a community to reduce rates of youth violence perpetration and victimization," according to the CDC. "Youth violence has been linked to a variety of factors, including individual, family, community, and societal characteristics. Although much research has been conducted on interventions to change the characteristics of individuals and families, less research has focused on evaluating interventions and policies designed to change community economic or environmental factors."
Nonprofits and public agencies are eligible to apply. Letters of intent are due Jan. 26, 2009; applications are due Feb. 23.
Gang Resistance Grants
The U.S. Department of Justice will award grants of up to $125,000 under its Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) Program, which aims to prevent youth gang involvement, violence and delinquency.
The program centers on lectures by police officers focusing on life-skills development -- similar to the D.A.R.E. drug-prevention program.
Application deadline is Jan. 22, 2009. Law-enforcement agencies are eligible to apply.
