Pubdate: Tue, 02 Aug 2005
Source: Daily Home, The (Talladega,  AL)
Copyright: 2005 Consolidated Publishing
Contact:  http://www.dailyhome.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1632
Note:  also listed as contact
Author: Denise Sinclair
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SAFE GETS GRANT TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

SYLACAUGA - Thanks to a coalition of partners, Sylacauga Alliance for 
Family Enhancement Inc. has received a $250,000 state grant to support a 
unified community effort to protect youth from substance abuse.

The coalition is known as Prevention Partners. It includes the Sylacauga 
City School System, Talladega County School System, law enforcement and 
many other partners, said Margaret Morton, executive director of SAFE.

The partners are all of those partnering with SAFE and Sylacauga's Promise, 
she added.

Gov. Bob Riley announced the grant award Monday in Montgomery. SAFE is one 
of six sites in the state to implement this project.

The mission of the project is to prevent juvenile use of alcohol, tobacco 
and illegal drugs in targeted schools in the county.

Prevention Partners will focus initial prevention efforts toward B.B. Comer 
Memorial School, Nichols-Lawson Middle School, Indian Valley Elementary 
School and Pinecrest Elementary School in Sylacauga.

"This grant is powerful ammunition in Alabama's fight to keep our children 
away from the dangers of drugs and alcohol," Riley said. "It encourages 
everyone to work together to reverse the negative impact of substance abuse."

The funds were awarded through a competitive process established by the 
Alabama Unified Prevention System. Alabama UPS is a statewide prevention 
program that builds health families and communities by coordinating local 
resources to make substance abuse prevention efforts more efficient and 
effective.

Community coalitions use grant funds to evaluate the impact of substance 
abuse in their area and develop strategies for eliminating the abuse.

Morton said SAFE is the lead agency for the grant and without these 
partners in the coalition the grant would not have been awarded.

"If not for the coalition, we would not have been competitive for the 
grant," she said.

This is a minimum of a three year grant, which means SAFE will get $750,000 
over that period.

The grant, Morton said, is going to be used to expand the BRIDGES program 
to a site at B.B. Comer Memorial School, rejuvenate the Adopt-A-School 
program in the community, start a Saturday school and a summer school in 
the community.

The BRIDGES program provides youth development activities to youngsters 
ages 8 to 14. As a primary prevention program, it is designed to equip 
youth and families with skills to make healthy life choices while providing 
safe, quality, after hours day care for youngsters.

Morton said this grant is going to provide a unique opportunity for 
Sylacauga and Talladega County schools to work together.

In addition to working with students, the project will also provide some 
drug awareness and prevention programs for parents.

Morton said the project will be framed around the five resources of 
Sylacauga's Community of Promise and America's Promise. The five resources 
provide a framework of developmental assets youth need to become competent, 
responsible and caring adults. These five resources are on-going 
relationships with care adults; safe places and structured activities; a 
healthy start for a healthy future; marketable skills through effective 
education; and opportunities to serve.

Morton thanked Amy Pope for the work she did in working on the grant and 
pulling information together.

"She did a yeoman's job on this. This was a team effort on everyone's 
behalf. It had to be for SAFE to be selected," Morton said.

Morton said SAFE was invited to apply for the grant because it has partners 
in place already and programs under way addressing youth and substance abuse.

"This is a huge grant for us. These dollars can only be spent for this 
specific project from expanding BRIDGES, Saturday School, drug prevention, 
tutoring, summer school and other promotional activities," she said.

Riley awarded the grant from funds the state received from the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services. He has designated the Alabama 
Department of Economic and Community Affairs to administer the grant.

Bill Johnson, ADECA acting director, notified Morton the grant had been 
approved.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom