Friday, October 18, 2024
10/18/2024
To address disparities among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals in Clark County, PACT Coalition for Safe and Drug Free Communities (PACT) will collaborate with LGBTQI+ serving community-based organizations with the goals of increasing awareness and community capacity around substance use prevention, as well as reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors to prevent the onset and progression of Substance Use Disorder. Of the 2.3 million residents of Clark County, 5.1% or approximately 117,300 individuals, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) (Williams Institute, 2023). In Nevada, the LGBTQI+ population is primarily between the ages of 18-34 (59%) with the next highest percentage being ages 50-64 (17%) (Williams Institute, 2023). Further, the racial distribution in this population is 49% White, 33% Latino/a, and 19% All other races. 34.38% of households speak a language other than English (Healthy Southern Nevada, 2023); secondary languages in Clark County include primarily Spanish and Tagalog. Nevada's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reported that 28.1% of CCSD high school students identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or not sure and 5.2% reported they were either transgender or unsure. Among those identifying as LGBTQI+, 70.6% are female and 29.4% are male (YRBS, 2023). The YRBS shows earlier reported onset of substance use among LGBTQI youth relative to their peers, and rates of use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and opioids are typically 10% higher than heterosexual and cisgender peers. In addition, the report for Clark County reveals that 38.8% of LGBTQI+ high school aged youth have had suicide ideation and 56.4% never/rarely get the help they need (YRBS, 2023). 62.5% of LGBI+ high school aged youth express depressive symptoms compared to 35.1% heterosexual students and 70.2% of Transgender or Questioning compared to 41.3% cisgender peers. PACT will be partnering with many LGBTQI+ serving agencies to execute a cross-sector approach to combatting substance misuse and mental health challenges. The focus of the project is on disseminating substance use prevention information, providing education, offering harm reduction resources, organizing positive alternative activities, and increasing community capacity for services. The LGBTQI+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center), Las Vegas PRIDE, and PRIDE Tree will coordinate alternative activities reaching 750 individuals annually and 3750 individuals across the project period. PACT, The Center, and Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network (PTTC) will provide education sessions to at least 75 youth and youth-serving professionals each year, and 375 individuals over the project period. PACT, PRIDE Magazine, and KLAS-news will provide information dissemination through media reaching 50,000 individuals each year, and 250,000 over the 5 years. PACT and community partners will attend LGBTQI+ focused trainings and or conferences and be present at community meetings to remain knowledgeable about local conditions and evolving best practices reaching 30 individuals each year, 150 over the 5 years. Lastly, PACT and its partners will distribute Deterra Safe Drug Disposal kits to a minimum of 200 households per year through LGBTQI+ serving organizations, aiming to reach 1,000 households overall, in order to reduce misuse of prescription opioids.
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).
