Cabarrus Health Alliance STOP Act program serves youth ages 12–18 from communities facing sustained economic and access-related barriers in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. - Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) and the Healthy Cabarrus Substance Use Coalition will implement the STOP Act grant in Cabarrus County, North Carolina (geographic area). CHA, the coalition’s fiscal agent, serves as the public health authority and local health department for the county. Parts of Cabarrus County are considered socio-economically disadvantaged characterized by high general poverty (all ages), poverty of school-aged children, and profound social vulnerability. While only 9% of Cabarrus White (not Hispanic) residents live at less than 125% of the federal poverty level (FPL), 79% of American Indian/Alaskan Native, 64% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 23% of Hispanic, 18% of Black, and 15% of multiracial residents live at less than 125% FPL. Additionally, the Cabarrus Youth Substance Use Survey indicates Hispanic middle and high school youth report the highest 30-day use of alcohol, collectively (6.2% & 13.4%). As the CHA DFC grant moves through years 6-10 with STOP Act funding, CHA and the coalition will build additional capacity to address service gaps specifically for the STOP Act grant population of focus, defined as Cabarrus youth ages 12-18 years old who are racial and ethnic minorities and those affected by persistent poverty and inequality. At least 50% of those served by grant funds will be from underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985. In alignment with STOP Act goals and in response to the required eight activities, CHA and the coalition will achieve the following outcomes by the end of the project period: ▪ By 12/31/2024, the coalition will have added at least two new Hispanic, two new Black, and six new youth members (10 total new members from the population of focus). ▪ By 12/31/2024, at least two members of the Youth Advisory Council and two coalition members will be attending each local Town Hall meeting to advocate for their concerns and for policy changes. ▪ By 12/31/2024, at least two coalition members will be attending school board meetings to advocate for more comprehensive strategies and interventions regarding substance use infractions ▪ By 8/1/2026, KCS will have adopted an alternative-to-suspension program similar to the CCS PASS program. ▪ By 05/31/2028, coalition members will facilitate four presentations regarding the relationship between youth alcohol use and retail alcohol density in close proximity to local middle and high schools. ▪ By 7/31/2028, the coalition will distribute 1,000 Talk They Hear You parent education brochures and resources at four events in the community. ▪ By 07/31/2028, CHA, the coalition, and a local alcohol law enforcement agency (ALE) will provide two BARS training to restaurant managers, bartenders, and servers (8 total). ▪ By 08/31/2028, CHA, the coalition, and a local alcohol law enforcement agency (ALE) will provide two BARS trainings to alcohol retailers per year in English and Spanish (8 total). ▪ By 08/31/2028, El Puente will have provided 8 series of Familia Adelante to at least 8 parents/caretakers and youth each session (64 parents/caretakers and youth total). ▪ By 08/31/2028, KCS and CCS will have incorporated learnings from evidence-based trainings during annual PASS programming to benefit at least 800 PASS students. ▪ By 08/31/2028, CHA and the coalition will implement culturally-relevant programs for at least 300 youth and their parents from the population of focus each year (1,200 total). ▪ By 08/31/2028, the number of KCS students suspended for alcohol-related infractions will decrease by 20% from project baseline. CHA requests a total of $60,000 in federal funds per year to implement the STOP Act grant program.
