| The Weakley County Prevention Coalition recently learned two major sources of funding will enable the organization to continue its efforts to educate the community in regard to the dangers associated with substance use and abuse, and the violence which is all too often associated with it.
Nick Moon, project coordinator for the coalition, announced the good news came earlier last week.
“The Partnership for Success (PFS) Grant has been refunded for fiscal Year 2013. This grant opportunity began three years ago. Weakley County was selected to receive the original funding based on our strong reputation across the state in providing educational opportunities and materials to local schools, organizations and individuals as well as creating opportunities for the youth of the county to enjoy unique substance-free activities,” he said.
Moon said the amount awarded under this grant for the upcoming year will total $95,549. This particular grant, according to Moon, aims to reduce, and hopefully eliminate underage alcohol consumption and binge drinking. It targets people 12-24 years of age.
The second grant award, referred to as the “Established Coalition Announcement of Funding (AOF)” is specifically intended to address underage tobacco use as well as non-medical prescription drug use, according to Moon.
“Being awarded this additional grant means the coalition will be more equipped than ever to tackle the issues that are affecting our community. This project has a budget of $74,205 for the fiscal year July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013. Recent school surveys and national data indicate that these are all prevalent issues in our society which cannot be ignored.”
Moon said the announcement of these funds being awarded to the coalition will add greater enthusiasm as the group gears up for several activities.
“We’ve been active in national ‘Kick Butts Day’ at schools across the county; we’re preparing an informational prevention campaign targeting students getting ready for their proms; we’re preparing to send teams of high school students to an excellent leadership development opportunity called ‘Tennessee Teen Institute’ and we’re putting the finishing touches on producing a town hall meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in the University Center on the UTM campus.”
The organization’s chairman, General Sessions Judge Tommy Moore, said he was very pleased to learn of the funding announcement.
“These two grants are administered through the state Department of Mental Health’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services.
“They are supportive of community coalitions and their efforts keep hometown communities safe places to live and raise families. We encourage parents, grandparents, educators, businesses or any interested individuals to join us in our work.”
Moore said information about the coalition, its mission and meeting schedules can be found on the web at www.weakleycountyprevention.com, on Facebook, by email at weakleyprevention@gmail.com, or by calling (731) 514-7951. WCP 3.27.12 |
