Moolenaar Welcomes Grant For Montcalm Schools to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

Press Release

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that Montcalm Area Intermediate School District has been awarded a grant as part of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program of the Centers for Disease Control.

"This grant will support schools in Montcalm County as they teach leadership skills and resilience to students in an effort to prevent substance abuse and reduce the risk of young people using drugs," said Congressman John Moolenaar. "Many communities in Michigan have been affected by the opioid crisis or other forms of substance abuse. The Drug-Free Communities Support Program will help educate young people and their families to prevent abuse and keep residents in the Montcalm area safe and healthy."

"This is a huge opportunity to continue to provide healthy, positive substance abuse alternatives to Montcalm County youth. The MAISD is proud to partner with Montcalm Prevention Collaborative to support their ongoing work to build a healthy, substance free community. Montcalm County youth are our greatest resource and this work will support our youth in building leadership skills to help shape a healthier future," said Cari O'Connor, MAISD Early Childhood and Parenting Service Director.

The Montcalm Area ISD has been awarded $125,000 per year for five years as part of the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, an effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. The DFC program works to mobilize community leaders to identify and respond to the drug problems unique to their community and change local environmental conditions attributing to substance use.

Details of the grant are attached to this press release.

###

Source