$625,000 grant for United Way
NEW ULM - The United Way of the Brown County Area received word from Congressman Tim Walz's office on Tuesday afternoon that their application on behalf of the Underage Substance Abuse Coalition (USAC) for $125,000 a year over the next five years had received full funding.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides grants to community coalitions to fight underage substance abuse under its Drug Free Communities Support program.
As an outcome of its community assessment and as part of the overall United Way movement to enhance the services it provides to communities, the United Way of the Brown County Area brought together several other organizations to create USAC.
The goals of the coalition are to reduce underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among the youth in Brown County and to increase the level of collaboration by governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector in order to support efforts to prevent substance abuse by Brown County youth.
"This funding will allow USAC to significantly expand the efforts to reduce underage alcohol and other drug problems, including expansion of activities throughout Brown County," United Way Community Solutions Chairman Steve Schneider said.
"Making application for this grant is a reflection of the importance United Way of the Brown County Area is giving to this need identified in the community assessment. United Way is working hard to leverage all available resources to maximize the work that can be accomplished with this grant. As we begin our annual giving campaign this fall, we remind Brown County residents that giving to the United Way helps support this initiative of reducing underage alcohol and drug abuse, and many other partner agencies that provide needed services in our communities."
Members of the coalition include the United Way, Healthy Communities / Healthy Youth, ProKinship for Kids, the police departments of New Ulm, Springfield and Sleepy Eye, area businesses, Brown County Probation Department, Brown County Teen Court, The Journal, KNUJ/SAM, Lamar Advertising, River Bend Educational District, New Ulm Area Catholic Schools, School Districts 84, 85 and 88, Brown County Family Services, Region 5 Prevention Coordinator, New Ulm Medical Center, Kiwanis Club and representatives of the faith community. Other community stakeholders include students and parents.
The grant will provide funding for USAC activities and a full-time USAC director. The two articulated goals of the funding are strengthening collaboration among community stakeholders to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth; and to reduce underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and prescription medication abuse, among the youth in Brown County.
