Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
The purpose of the proposed project is to establish and strengthen collaboration to support a community-wide effort to prevent youth substance use. The project has two proposed outcomes: 1) Establish and strengthen collaboration between local public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, and local governments to support a community-wide effort to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth (individuals 18 years of age and younger). 2) Reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in local neighborhoods that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. PEER will target students and families in Rockland County, NY, within the boundaries of the East Ramapo Central School District (ERCSD). This is a vibrant community that is economically, racially and culturally diverse. This is a particularly unique school district, as it is the largest in Rockland County, serving 8,834 public school students and over 21,000 students in non-public schools. The non-public school population is primarily composed of orthodox and ultra-orthodox Jewish students whose main language is Yiddish and whose children attend private, religious schools. Regarding racial/ethnic demographics: 31.7% of students are Black/African American (of which approximately 30% are of Haitian descent); 59.6% Latino/Hispanic; 4.0% White; 3.9% Asian. Regarding specific sub-populations, 31% are English Language Learner students, 18% are Students with Disabilities and 87% are Economically Disadvantaged. The Prevention Education for East Ramapo (PEER) Coalition operates only 20-35 miles away from New York City, the Bronx, and downtown Manhattan. The District contains a Community School site, which is designated by the New York State Education Department as a High Needs/Low Resource school. The data throughout this proposal will demonstrate that the PEER Coalition serves a community of approximately 126,000 with great needs. Among the population 25 years and over, an average 71.3% have completed high school, and 16.0% have attained a bachelor’s or higher degree. Even with an unemployment rate similar to much of New York, almost 26.6% of the community’s population lives below the poverty level. The overall community has experienced substantial growth in the newly-immigrated, foreign-born population, and of non-English speakers. As our communities transition out of virus-related shutdowns, PEER Coalition is well aware of the need for prevention strategies in the community. We are confident that we now have the proper training and technical assistance for the PEER Coalition to become a powerful change agent in our community, improving the health and wellbeing of youth in ERCSD. We have become trusted in the community and respected for our inclusive approach in a community where many feel shut out.
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).