Wednesday, May 28, 2025
5/28/2025
Clarion Drug Free Communities Coalition - Project Abstract Summary (Community Overview) The Clarion Drug Free Communities Coalition (CDFCC) is the coalition involved in alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drug prevention and awareness for Clarion County, located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission established the Coalition in 2010 in response to the heroin epidemic that had been sweeping across western Pennsylvania. According to data from youth surveys recently conducted in the county, the major youth substance abuse problems in Clarion County are alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. The CDFCC is applying for the Drug Free Communities grant in order to focus on alcohol and tobacco prevention and awareness activities with youth ages 18 and under. The goals of the Coalition are to: 1) reduce the alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and prescription drug abuse among young people; 2) promote healthy drug free alternatives, recreational, and leadership activities for youth; 3) encourage on-going collaboration and connect resources within our community; 4) expand the use of science-based education methods to reduce drug use in youth 18 years of age and younger; and 5) explore methods and develop strategies for prevention program sustainability and expansions. The community of Clarion enjoys a small-town lifestyle but is also easily accessible to the two largest cities in western Pennsylvania as it is located just under 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and just over 100 miles southeast of Erie. Clarion County is in northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 38,779 residents, predominately being Caucasian at 96.6%, and 18.7% is under the age of 18. Clarion County is a rural county and has a poverty percentage of 16.1%. The county covers 600.83 square miles and has 34 municipalities: 12 boroughs and 22 townships. Clarion County has 27.9 miles of interstate highways, 620 miles of state and federal highways, and 659 miles of secondary and municipal roads. The seven public school districts of Clarion County served 5,021 students during the 2018-19 school year. There are eight private schools in the county, serving 298 students this past school year. Clarion County has a high school graduation rate of 89% and a bachelor’s degree or higher rate of 21.8%. Clarion County is also the home of Clarion University of Pennsylvania (CUP) with an enrollment of 4,321 students and a campus spanning 200 acres. The student body consists of 90% being Pennsylvania state residents. CUP is a part of the community, hosting community events and activities as well as providing student volunteers, student teachers, and employees to our county. Clarion County has had an increase of people living in poverty over the last couple of years. There is 57.1% of the county’s population in the labor force, and 700 individuals of the labor force are unemployed. The unemployment rate in Clarion County is 4.0% (PA averages at 3.8%). In the last 5 years, our community has lost four major manufacturing industries: Sealy Mattress Company, Astro Homes, Owens-Illinois, and Davis Cookie Company. The few that remain have drastically reduced their workforce: Colony/Commodore Homes, and Clarion Industry. Many families are losing their homes and vehicles as their unemployment compensation runs out. The four largest employers are Clarion University, Clarion Hospital, Training Toward Self Reliance Inc, and Wal-Mart Associates Inc. There are over 80 churches of various denominations in the area, giving residents countless worship opportunities that enable participants the chance to serve and enrich their lives. Religious leaders make themselves available to provide guidance, help those in times of need, and encourage community togetherness. For over 60 years, Clarion has been known for its Autumn Leaf Festival. Every fall, an average of 250,000 people flock to Clarion for the event.
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).