LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) recently announced that seven out of thirteen Coalition Partnership Empowerment (COPE) coalitions across the state have been awarded the prestigious Federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant. This funding provides each coalition with $125,000 annually for five years, totaling $625,000 per coalition, and bringing a substantial $4,375,000 investment into Arkansas’s cities and counties. Additionally, coalitions may apply for a second five-year term, potentially doubling the total to an impressive $8.75 million.
Newton County Partners in Prevention Coalition was one of the seven recognized by ARORP at the Association of Arkansas Counties building in Little Rock, last Sept. 19. Attending were partnership members Jeff Dezort, Angela Kitchen, Jim and Ellen Martin. Also attending were Sherri Hinrichs and Kyle Evatt from the North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education. They consulted and assisted the coalition throughout its efforts to apply for the DFC grant.
Speakers during the morning reception included Kirk Lane, director for ARORP; Tenesha Barnes, deputy director for ARORP; Chris Villines, executive director for the Association of Arkansas Counties; Mark Hayes, executive director for the Arkansas Municipal League; and Sandy Gillespie, founder of the Opioid Prescription Drug and Synthetics Coalition, which was formerly known as Healing in the Hood.
“We are eager to see how our investment will positively impact the state and further its prevention efforts,” Lane said. “This accomplishment marks a major step forward in combating substance misuse in the state, and we are fortunate to be part of these coalitions’ success stories.”
Created in 1997, the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program funds community-based coalitions that engage multiple sectors of the community to prevent youth substance use.
The DFC Support Program provides grants up to $125,000 per year for five years to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. After five years, community coalitions may re-compete for another five-year cycle.
Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems. DFCs involve local communities in finding solutions and also helps youth at risk for substance use recognize the majority of our nation’s youth choose not to use substances. As demonstrated by independent evaluations, the DFC Support Program significantly reduces substance use amongst youth, the target population.
Newton County Hometown Health Initiative (HHI) applied for Arkansas Opioid Settlement funds in 2022 and was awarded $25,000 that paid for membership in CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions Of America) and attending training sessions held in Little Rock and online throughout 2023 in preparation of making application for the DFC grant.
It was submitted last April.
The Jasper School District is the grant's fiduciary agent. The board of education will budget the funding, establish the salary for the position and hire the DFC project director/coordinator.
The school district has already posted the position at Jasper.k12.ar.us.
About the DFC Program
Created in 1997, the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program funds community-based coalitions that engage multiple sectors of the community to prevent youth substance use.
The DFC Support Program provides grants up to $125,000 per year for five years to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. After five years, community coalitions may re-compete for another five-year cycle.
Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems. DFCs involve local communities in finding solutions and also helps youth at risk for substance use recognize the majority of our nation’s youth choose not to use substances. As demonstrated by independent evaluations, the DFC Support Program significantly reduces substance use amongst youth, the target population.
DFC Coalitions consist of community leaders representing twelve sectors that organize to meet the local prevention needs of the youth and families in their communities. These twelve sectors are: Youth, parents, businesses, media, school, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, religious/fraternal organizations,
civic and volunteer organizations, healthcare professionals, state, and local governments.
