Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Sumter Community Action Partnership (Sumter CAP) serves the youth and families in Sumter County, Florida. Countywide the estimated population by the US Census in 2021 was 135,638 residents. In the 2021/2022 school year there are 8,912 students enrolled in Sumter County Schools, (FL Department of Education). To best understand Sumter, it is important to detail the population shift that has occurred over the past 20 years. The 2020 Census data shows that 58.2% of the population was over the age of 65, whereas nationwide, 16.5% of the population was 65 plus. In the past 15 years, Sumter’s population has more than doubled from 63,000 residents in 2005, to the 135,638+ residents today. The large influx of population is credited to a large retirement area running through the eastern side of Sumter County encompassing parts of our 5 small cities, unincorporated areas, and multiple zip codes. The distinction is important because when looking at County data, compared to the traditional areas where youth live and go to school, including many rural areas with farmlands and open space, the population is quite different demographically. If awarded, Sumter CAP will strive to reach all our middle and high school aged youth in the Sumter County schools, (4,609 6th through 12th graders) as well as their families and other caregivers with the proposed prevention strategies and activities outlined in our action plan. These areas are more racially diverse and experience high levels of economic hardships. Countywide, 85.1% of the population is White, yet in 63% of students in Sumter County Schools are White. 7.3% of Sumter residents are African American compared to 12.7% of students. 5.9% of Sumter residents are Hispanic or Latina versus 16.4% of our student population. Sumter County’s rate of persons at or below the poverty level is 12.3%, yet 25.9% of children under 18 countywide meet the federal poverty level. Sumter CAP is lucky to have a diverse membership of 90 active participants representing over 45 local organizations, agencies, businesses, as well as parents and youth from the county. Membership spans the 12 sectors and are representative of the youth and families we serve. Sumter CAP’s Drug Free Communities Project will enhance the current prevention system in Sumter County by strengthening collaborations to collectively work to reduce and prevent youth substance use and associated problems among youth and families. The Coalition will prioritize efforts to prevent and reduce the use of alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana, and the misuse of prescription drugs among Sumter County middle and high school students, including addressing the lax attitudes and beliefs and associated problems, resulting in decreases of past-30 day use and a series of other relevant indicators. Sumter CAP’s prevention strategies are designed to prevent substance use before it begins by implementing programs, policies, and practices to prevent initiation of substance use among youth. Sumter CAP will utilize evidenced-based approaches identified through the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) that will address youth substance use and the factors that are leading to increased rates of risk in Sumter County. This includes implementing community change strategies that will decrease youth access to alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and prescription drugs and increase local protective factors such as youth leadership opportunities and drug free activities, changing the norms that support youth substance use, addressing social, economic, and health disparities, and providing data-driven information and education to the community. To monitor change and evaluate efforts, Sumter CAP will collect both performance and outcome data and report progress, both accomplishments and barriers, to our membership and the community large via in-person meetings, presentations, and events, as well as share online, through various media outlets, and through the networks of our partners.
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).
