Thursday, May 16, 2024
5/16/2024
The Bulloch County Alcohol and Drug Council (BADC) is partnering with the Decatur Prevention Initiative to seek funding for the 2018 Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Program. BADC will assist DPI in building internal capacity, provide technical assistance and training. This mentoring relationship can prepare DPI in successfully applying for future DFC funding. BADC and DPI staff have a long history of collaborating on projects that have had a positive impact on their targeted communities, Bulloch County and the City of Decatur. Bulloch County was awarded the prestigious Drug-Free Communities grant in 2015. BADC has an active community coalition with the support of an agency with over 40 years of successfully providing prevention services to the citizens of Bulloch County. Utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework, BADC has systematically conducted needs assessments, offered programs and evaluated their efforts for many years. Ordinances have passed as a result of their continued focus and programs instituted that have resulted in a marked increase in local compliance by local business regarding alcohol sales. Implementing community-wide awareness programs and evidence-based prevention programming to its youth has resulted in a significant decrease in substance abuse among the youth in Bulloch County. BADC will take this expertise and assist the Decatur Prevention Initiative in strengthening their current coalition and becoming eligible for DFC funding. The target population is The City of Decatur, the oldest city in Metropolitan Atlanta. Decatur is home to over 21,000 people within its urban 4-square miles. The population is 70% Caucasian, 22% African-American, 4 % Asian, 3% Hispanic and 3% reporting 2+ races. DPI targets the 3,000 households with minor children, most of whom attend the City Schools of Decatur (CSD), which serves 5,500 students. Decatur has one of the largest per-capita same-sex households in the country. The annual median income is over $81,000, with income increasing 10% for white households from 2000-2010 and declining 50% for African-American households. Decatur is struggling to address its changing cultural demographics, as housing prices soar and affordable housing becomes scarce. Five percent of Decatur’s population lives in public housing, with 10% of CSD students residing there. Eleven percent of these residents are foreign-born, requiring DPI to ensure that services that are cultural and linguistically appropriate. Further emphasizing the disparities, the average home value is $491,300. It is a community with great disparities, with one of the highest income earners in the state, living alongside public housing. Decatur City Schools are nationally recognized for their quality of education. This reputation has contributed to the dramatic increase in housing prices as this community is experiencing rapid growth. DPI’s needs assessment has shown that the City Schools of Decatur has the highest 30-day use of alcohol (12th grade-39%) among the 185+ Georgia School Systems. In 2016, they were also ranked # 1 in marijuana use for grades 6-12 when compared with those same school systems. Local overdoses of young adults are becoming more wide-spread. Decatur could greatly benefit from the expertise of such a qualified coalition to help stem the tide of growing substance abuse problems and ultimately, save lives. This grant details the need for Decatur to have more focus placed on comprehensive Strategic Prevention planning. BADC will link its 12-sector community leaders with DPI’s membership to lend their expertise in bringing about community-level change. Implementing the detailed 12-month action plan, whose goals are to increase capacity, readiness, and sustainability will enable DPI to receive the training, technical assistance, support and resources desperately needed to prepare to make a successful bid for a DFC grant.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
