Norwalk Prevention Partnership Received Federal Grant

From the Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling:

February 4 2020

Positive Directions- The Center for Prevention and Counseling was awarded a FY 2019 Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant in the amount of $125,000 annually for the next 5 years by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant will support The Partnership, a Norwalk-based coalition which strengthens community collaboration to prevent Norwalk youth substance use. The mission of The Partnership is to collaboratively work together to reduce rates of substance misuse among youth and young adults and develop resources to support a healthy, safe, substance-free Norwalk.

The Partnership will utilize federally-recognized strategies for community level change to achieve increased community collaboration and reduce youth substance abuse. The Partnership intends to achieve these goals through:

● Continuous collection of community data

● Disseminating information about the identified substances related to youth’ use

● Enhancing skills of coalition members and other community partners through workshops and trainings

● Working with law enforcement to reduce youth’ access to substances

● Enhancing access and reducing barriers to translation services for families who speak a language other than English

● Encouraging policy change and strategic signage,

● and providing ongoing support for youth who are working on their personal recovery.

The community is invited to participate as vital coalition members to best inform its process. Partnership meetings are held at Norwalk City Hall monthly from 6:00-7:30 p.m. For more information on meeting dates and how youth, parents, and organizations can be involved, please call (203) 227-7644 or by email at dlewis@positivedirections.org. “We know from research that delaying youth substance use both benefits their current and long-term health. Local problems require local solutions. We look forward to continuing our existing collaborations and welcome the community at-large to partner to work towards the goal of all Norwalk youth being healthy, supported by caring adults, and be substance free,” says Denique Weidema-Lewis, Director of Prevention at Positive Directions.

This press release was produced by the Positive Directions-The Center for Prevention and Counseling. The views expressed here are the author’s own.