Tuesday, May 7, 2024
5/7/2024
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL), Imperial Valley Drug Free Communities Coalition (IVDFCC) is committed to making a positive impact on youth substance abuse prevention in the communities of El Centro, Holtville and Winterhaven California. These communities face unique challenges: high unemployment, high school drop-out rates, gang activity, transient populations, drug trafficking proximity, and cultural/social norms. IVDFCC aims to address these issues with a multi-strategy approach and mentoring a youth-engaged community coalition. IVFDCC’s mission statement is to “Reduce youth substance abuse by uniting community efforts to provide an environment of engagement and mentorship”. Keeping this mission statement priority, IVDFCC intends to implement strategies that increase awareness of the harms of alcohol and marijuana use, create barriers to reduce youth access, and provide youth with tools and knowledge to lead change in their communities. The total population for the rural communities of El Centro, Holtville and Winterhaven is approximately 51,192 residents. They’re located within the Colorado Desert between an international border with Mexico to the south, known for drug trafficking activity according to the San Diego Imperial HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). The youth in these communities are under served due to economic disadvantages, gang activity and easy access to drugs and alcohol. IVDFCC’s prevention goals seek to reduce alcohol and drug use by achieving two goals in its first year for DFC grant funding: 1. Increase community engagement and coalition membership by 15% in order to more effectively implement our efforts. 2. Reduce youth past 30-day alcohol and marijuana use as measured by the California Healthy Kids Survey. As IVDFCC implements prevention efforts, it plans to also engage the local media to document aspects of prevention in order for local communities to follow milestones our youth have in dictating community change. IVDFCC looks forward to assisting empowered youth change the landscape of their environment for future generations.
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).
