Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
The Central Louisville Coalition (CLC) serves neighborhoods in the 40202 and 40203 zip codes, providing information and strengthening partnerships; increasing coalition capacity and youth engagement; providing access to evidence-based prevention programming, education and prevention services; and reducing access to substances through community training and youth-led action and policy advocacy. Activities planned include contributions from a wide variety of current and future collaborators – including partners from the 12 community sectors serving on the CLC now, and others who will provide workshops, participate in town hall meetings and work with youth on service learning projects. CLC’s communications strategy will include a central website as a digital landing point, as well as updates on partner sites and a great deal of dynamic content via social media. Print materials and media relations led by project staff and the coalition’s media sector representative(s) will document the activities of the project and generate further interest in the activities. Nearly 26,500 residents call 40202 and 40203 home – including 6,000 youth 18 and under. Neighborhoods include Russell on the west boundary, the Downtown central business district on the northeast, Old Louisville/Shelby Park on the south, and Smoketown/Phoenix Hill on the east. The Ohio River forms the northern boundary. Once thriving communities, resources are scarce following “systemic patterns of disinvestment and segregation produced by redlining practices.” These core areas include the following community demographics, and reflect the racial, economic, cultural and LGTBQIA diversity of the city as a whole. In the 5th poorest US state (2017), 40202 & 40203 were 2 of KY’s most economically disadvantaged zips, ranking 651 and 655 out of 667 zip codes in 2017 estimated income. The population is poorer, less likely to be educated or in the labor force, more likely to rent homes, and to identify as nonwhite. A PBS documentary about an area public housing project highlighted the large number who had been incarcerated. Unsurprising due to economic deprivation, number of single parent households, and high crime rates, there are disparities in health outcomes. Target neighborhoods have disproportionately negative indicators such as drug use death rate. Although 26th in population, KY ranks 4th in death rate from drug overdoses, and the target area shows a significantly higher rate of heroin/opioid overdose EMS encounters than the state/city average. In 2017, there were 13 overdose deaths in 40203, and at least 76 in the 2 zip codes over 5 years. Life expectancy for the target zips averages 70.7, while that of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods average 80.4. Where you live impacts how long you live; substance use and community problems are linked. Data tell part of the story, but there are signs of hope, assets that the coalition is excited to be working with. While KY maintains poor grades on health and consistently ranks or the bottom on metrics such as cancer deaths, mental and physical distress, premature deaths, preventable hospitalizations, smoking, physical activity, and drug deaths – and while the target area fares worse in many areas, increased attention has forced a focus on policy, public health, and resiliency. KY’s tobacco-free school law is new in 2020, and media continues to focus on issues such as the low level of spending of state tobacco tax revenue. There is a community spirit of action, positivity, and a can-do attitude, evidenced in planning and our own focus groups. Against a backdrop of harmony and connectivity, and with the spirit of persevera nce that the areas residents have always had to have, CLC presents its plan for a Drug Free Communities program in 40202/40203.
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).
