For Immediate Release
For Immediate Release
Webster Health & Education Network (WHEN) Awarded $625,000 Federal Grant for Youth Substance Use Prevention
(Webster, New York, September 20, 2024) — Webster Health & Education Network (WHEN) has been selected as a recipient of a $625,000 federal grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) under the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. This grant program, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), represents an opportunity to strengthen ongoing efforts in preventing youth substance use in our community.
ONDCP’s DFC program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. The DFC program provides federal grants to community coalitions to identify and respond to the issues unique to their community and change community conditions tied to youth substance use. With this grant, WHEN will be able to continue building a safe, healthy, and drug-free community.
“WHEN is grateful for the recognition and continued support of ONDCP and CDC,” said Janine Sanger, Executive Director. “We are proud of our efforts to prevent youth substance use and protect the well-being of our community and thrilled to receive funding for another five years. We will use it to continue providing rich community resources, like our upcoming “Navigating the Tween Years” series of free parent forums, and to collaborate with our partners, including local businesses, health and mental health care providers, Webster Central School District, Webster Public Library, the Town of Webster, Webster Chamber of Commerce, and so many others. By focusing our collective expertise and resources on this critical issue, we will ensure a positive impact on our youth and community.”
WHEN received their first federal grant from The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in December 2019. That $625,0000 grant, received over five years, was used to involve and engage the community to empower Webster youth to grow up strong and substance-free. The second and final grant will again be received over five years, and will begin in December of 2024 to continue and expand their efforts.
During the past five years, WHEN has grown to 146 members, expanded partnerships, provided in-person and online community resources, organized events, incorporated youth feedback, increased community awareness, advocated for smoke-free parks, Tobacco 21, and reasonable cannabis restrictions. Improving trendlines in alcohol use, vaping, and cannabis use by Webster students, as shown in recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, suggests that youth may be benefiting from these efforts.
More information about the DFC program can be found here.
More information about Webster Health & Education Network can be found here.
CONTACT: Jen Swab DeGrace, Media Management Specialist, WHEN
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CONTACT: Janine Sanger, Executive Director, WHEN
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