Grant Funding
Rhode Island Strategic Prevention Framework Partnership for Success (PFS)
Focus: Underage Drinking
The PFS provides funding, which is administered by BHDDH, to twelve communities to reduce underage drinking and youth marijuana use in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of sixteen states that received an award from the SAMHSA/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to fund high-need communities. The funds will be used to implement evidence-based practices, policies and programs to prevent substance use. Cranston’s focus is on alcohol and on the last year of funding.
Southern Providence Region (Region 1)
Focus: Youth Marijuana Use, Tobacco & Opioids
Cranston is part of Region 1 Southern Providence Task Force which consists of Cranston, Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, and Johnston. Task Forces will use their funding to assess community substance use prevention needs, resources, and behavioral health promotion. Each will develop a capacity-building plan to address gaps in resources or community readiness, as well as a local strategic plan. The Task Forces will implement evidence-based and best practice interventions based on the needs of the community, while continually evaluating the impact of their efforts. Previously, 34 organizations served as Prevention Task Forces for their cities and towns. This revitalized system, comprised of seven Regional Prevention Task Forces, will be responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of substance use prevention and behavioral health promotion activities within the municipalities that comprise the region. Each Task Force includes city and town representation, which will ensure individual communities continue to play an active role in planning and service provision, as well as promoting behavioral health services. The regional Task Forces will provide administrative oversight, funding, and other needed resources to support the smaller municipal coalition contributions as part of the larger regional prevention plan. The Task Forces will also act as fiduciary and administrative agents.
Drug-Free Community (DFC)
Focus: Underage Drinking, Vaping & Prescription Drug Use
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced that Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) was awarded a grant totaling $625,000 to establish a Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) in the City of Cranston. CCAP’s Cranston Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force will receive $125,000 each year for the next five years for a total of $625,000. The award, which is administered through the federal agency’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Protection (CSAP) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) under the Executive Office of the President, will enable CCAP to identify and implement appropriate evidence-based programs, policies, and procedures that are proven to decrease youth substance abuse.
The Cranston Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force (CSAPTF) will administer and manage the grant. Members of the Task Force include representatives of the City, the Cranston School District, the Cranston Police Department, and other key Cranston community service providers, concerned citizens, and local leaders.
Since the DFC was established nationally in 1997, over 2000 prevention coalitions across the United States have been formed. The philosophy behind the program is that local drug problems require local solutions. Analysis of established coalitions shows that youth substance abuse is significantly lower where DFC funds have been invested.