New Federal STOP Grant Awarded to CFPC and Vernon Coalition
To enhance efforts of the Vernon Coalition, a new “STOP” grant was recently awarded to the Center for Prevention and Counseling (CFPC) in Newton. STOP, which stands for Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking, is a federal grant, now connected to The Vernon Coalition’s DFC (Drug Free Communities) grant. This new STOP grant was awarded in October to CFPC to supplement community efforts specifically addressing underage drinking in Vernon focusing on sub-populations of youth athletes, GLBTQ youth, 18-20 year olds and military family youth. Working in conjunction with Vernon’s public leaders, parents, businesses, law enforcement, school staff and all community members, this STOP grant will enhance the Vernon Coalition’s efforts to reduce underage drinking, including binge drinking, among the youth groups identified above. Reducing underage drinking positively influences the overall health of a community and requires input from all adults to be successful. Some of the objectives of this new grant include utilizing social norms practices, initiating youth-led social marketing campaigns, increasing protective factors among these populations while promoting support of families with community connectedness measures. To obtain more information and/or to become involved with these exciting initiatives in Vernon, please contact Annmarie Shafer, Coordinator of the Vernon Coalition at (973)383-4787 or email annmarie@centerforprevention.org.
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