WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded more than $4 million to 28 states in support of a new grant initiative, Building State Capacity for Preventing Youth Substance Use and Violence. States can use these resources to help schools and communities build or expand existing prevention coalitions, seek other sources of support and enhance local education agencies’ (LEAs) prevention strategies to ensure a positive school environment.
Funds made available under this grant program also will be used to build or strengthen existing partnerships across the range of state agencies that are involved in preventing drug use and violence among children and youth.
“Schools should be safe havens, free of drugs and violence, where young people can learn and prosper, and anything less than that is unacceptable,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said.
The grants are housed within the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, which supports efforts to create safe schools, respond to crises, prevent drug and alcohol abuse, ensure the health and well being of students, and teach students good citizenship and character. The office also coordinates the Department’s efforts in these areas with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
View a complete list of the 28 Building State Capacity for Preventing Youth Substance Use and Violence grant award winners.
Dept. of Ed. Sept. 27, 2010 press release
