DFC_Pottawattamie County Drug Endangered Children Coalition - The target geographic population for this project is school-age youth aged 8 – 18 in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and their families. Pottawattamie County is home to 93,173 residents (2022, US Census). County demographics are as follows: 94% Caucasian, 9% Hispanic/Latino, 2% African American, 1% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and Alaskan Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 2% Two or More Races. The Metro Area is a transportation hub for the Midwest, home to Union Pacific Railroad, Eppley Airfield, and well-traveled Interstate-80 and Interstate-29. Unfortunately, these modes also provide easy access for illegal drugs to enter the community. The US Median household income was $70,784 according to US Census 2021-22 estimates). Pottawattamie County comes in lower than that, at $63,840. In the US, 11.6% of people are living in poverty, while in Pottawattamie County, 12.3% of the population is living in poverty. There are 16,398 children and youth ages 6 – 18 in the county (ACS, Bureau of the Census, 2022). Pottawattamie County is home to 15 communities, including Avoca, Carson, Carter Lake, Council Bluffs, Crescent, Hancock, Macedonia, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Oakland, Shelby, Treynor, Underwood, and Walnut. In addition, there are eight school districts in the County. The Pottawattamie County Drug Endangered Children Coalition (DEC) proposes to serve these communities and school districts as well as the rural areas of our county which need additional attention and services. Based on our needs assessment data, DEC will focus DFC funding on addressing two substances: marijuana and methamphetamine. DEC is aware of the meth concern in our community and realizes that marijuana is a gateway drug. DEC intends to address marijuana use among youth through education (Curriculum-Based Support Groups and All-Stars Curriculum), as well as through strengthening relationships with local schools through increased presence, increased education, and focus on students with increased ACEs. The outcomes that the coalition plans to achieve are intended to leave a lasting impact on the community. DEC will work to increase collaboration among community stakeholders and organizations to address youth substance use, to reduce substance use among youth, and over time, reduce substance use among adults. The coalition will work to reduce the factors in the community that increase the risk of substance use and implement strategies that minimize the risks of substance use. Our activities and strategies will aim to decrease the ease, availability, and opportunity for youth to access substances. The activities and strategies selected will assist the coalition in reaching the short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals set out in the performance measurement plan.
