(Courtesy of Out of the Dark Coalition.)
Kevin Richardson, Chair of the Craighead Out of the Dark Coalition (CODC), has announced that the Coalition will receive the Partnership for Success Grant from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services.
The initial grant is for $50,000.00 and it is renewable for four (4) additional years at $40,000.00 each, subject to funding being continued. Out of the Dark Inc. will serve as the governing board for the grant.
The Partnership for Success Grant will be used to strengthen the CODC, with operational resources and training, and will assist the Out of the Dark School Chapters, and schools in general, by promoting a healthier community by changing social norms about alcohol use and prescription drug misuse. For example, some of the funds have been earmarked to partner with the Arkansas State University’s HPESS (Health, Physical Education & Sports Sciences) program to provide in-school training at targeted middle and/or junior high schools in Craighead County for the purpose of teaching youth life skills (including alcohol and drug education) on a monthly basis. ASU instructor, Hollie N. Huckabee MSE , will coordinate this project.
“We are extremely excited that Craighead County will be receiving these funds to help us stop this monster that has been roaming our streets and stealing so many of our children away”, said Richardson. “We have come a long way but we still have a lot to accomplish to turn this epidemic around, which means more people will need to stand up and get involved with the CODC.”
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