Above / Founded by 360 Youth Service in 2013, Community Alliance for Prevention is recipient of $125,000 grant directed to prevent youth substance abuse.
Naperville’s 360 Youth Services on behalf of the Community Alliance for Prevention was awarded a FY 2016 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program Grant in the amount of $125,000 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The DFC Support Program, created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance abuse.
The award project timeline is from 2016-2021, with DFC awarding annual grants to the 360 Youth Services program totaling $625,000 over five years to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance abuse.
“I am pleased that the Community Alliance for Prevention was awarded a grant to support a Drug-Free Communities Program,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “I am confident that this grant will help educate youth on substance abuse so our community can work together to prevent addiction.”
Community Alliance for Prevention founded by 360 Youth Services in 2013
The Community Alliance for Prevention was founded by 360 Youth Services in October 2013 to strengthen our community in order to prevent and reduce youth substance use. The Alliance was developed in response to a statewide movement encouraging local communities to organize for youth substance use prevention.
“360 Youth Services has been working since 2001 with our schools and community partners, utilizing evidence-based and environmental prevention strategies, and achieving measureable outcomes of reduced youth alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other drug use,” said Karen Jarczyk, LSW, CSPS, 360 Youth Services Prevention Director. “Substance abuse is preventable. Now more than ever, we have access to research and evidence-based strategies. When used in combination with local assessment and planning efforts, they can significantly reduce the problems and consequences associated with substance abuse.”
Essential to the success of the highly competitive grant process was the foundational work conducted by dedicated members of the Alliance, each representing key community sectors. Using the research-based Strategic Prevention Framework as a model for effective coalition work, the Alliance worked on a needs assessment, capacity building and strategic planning to secure the DFC funding to actualize their developing goals.
Members of the Community Alliance for Prevention
In alphabetical order (not a seated), Alliance members include Judith Brodhead (Naperville City Council), Matt Cassity (Breaking Free), Vasavi Chakka (Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown), Sergeant Tim Erdman (Naperville Police Department), Jordan Esser (DuPage County Health Department), Mike Hoffman (NAMI DuPage), Karen Jarczyk (360 Youth Services), Katie Karas (DuPage County Health Department), Starlene Kelley (Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center), Christina Kinnard (Linden Oaks at Edward), Louis Lee (Indian Prairie School District 204), Officer Juan Leon (Naperville Police Department), Jennifer Lezan (Bella & Sophia Clothing, HALFSTACK Magazine), Eirene Leventis (Naperville Police Department), Cathy Lozon (School District 204/Nursing), Ruben Munoz (District 203 Parent & Carol Stream Outreach Center), Dawn Neylon (360 Youth Services), Cathy Piehl (Indian Prairie School District 204 School Board), Matt Quinn (Rosecrance), Ann Rabin (KidsMatter & Retired Physician), Marcy Reeb (District 204 Parent), Bob Ross (Naperville Community Unit School District 203), Elise Schram (Metropolitan Family Services DuPage), Suchitra Sharma (Thoughtful India Naperville Diary), Meredith Sharpe (Youth), Sandy Stelmach (Power of Choice/360 Youth Services & Retired Health Educator and Student Assistance Professional), Amit Thaker (Linden Oaks at Edward), Russ Wolf (Naperville Operation Snowball/360 Youth Services & Retired Law Enforcement).
360 Youth Services provides life changing services to youth through substance abuse prevention education, counseling and housing. To learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit 360youthservices.org.
Story submitted by Lisa Schwarz-Barry, Marketing & Event Specialist, for 360 Youth Services.
