TDMHDD Issues Announcement of Funding for Community Prevention Programs
NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has issued an Announcement of Funding for statewide prevention services in the amount of approximately $6 million.
Using information from TDMHDD Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Service's statewide needs assessment, prevention funding will be targeted to provide evidenced-based prevention services to select populations, such as youth in foster care, youth in the juvenile justice system, and children of substance abusing parents.
“We are making the best use of existing dollars driven by information from the statewide needs assessment, as well as informed allocation decisions using science and data within our current budget,” stated TDMHDD Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts. “This up-to-date, thorough information is positively changing how we provide prevention services in Tennessee.”
Funds will be awarded in the following categories:
Tennessee Prevention Network—Funds will be targeted to provide evidenced-based prevention services to select, high-risk populations, such as youth in foster care, youth in the juvenile justice system and children of substance abusing parents. In addition, new programs will target youth engaged in high use behaviors such as binge drinking, prescription drug abuse, and inhalant abuse.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions—Funds will support coalitions whose work focuses on changing the community environment by examining community policies and practices. Coalitions work with various sectors including law enforcement, health and education agencies to make changes that will decrease the social and health consequences of substance abuse in a community.
Prevention Coordinator—This community-based position will guide the work of community-based organizations, workgroups, coalitions, and others and assist in advocacy, policy, collaboration, and awareness strategies.
Tennessee Teen Institute Program—The Teen Institute is a one-week long “camp” experience where teen participants are taught the skills, education, and information necessary to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their own communities.
Higher Education Initiative—The higher education notice of funding will use environmental management strategies and target multiple institutions of higher education to reduce substance abuse and related consequences.
Non-profit and tax exempt government agencies are eligible to apply for funding. For details please contact TDMHDD’s Office of Prevention Services at (615) 532-7786 or visit www.tn.gov/mental.