Freedom House Recovery Center Inc

FY 2021 CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC EXPANSION GRANTS - CCBHC EXPANSION GRANTS - FREEDOM HOUSE PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT A PROJECT THAT WILL SERVE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES (SED), ADULTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI), INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD) INCLUDING OPIOID USE DISORDERS (OUD) AND THOSE WITH CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (COD) PROJECT IN WARREN, ORANGE, AND PERSON COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOLLOWING ARE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT. GOAL 1: TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES OBJECTIVE 1: USE MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 2: EMBED MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS IN THE COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 3: INSTITUTE POLICIES TO HAVE MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS WORK SEAMLESSLY WITH FACILITY-BASED CRISIS FOR INTAKE AND ADMISSION WHEN INPATIENT CRISIS AND/OR DETOX IS REQUIRED GOAL 2: TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT LONG TERM WELLNESS AND RECOVERY OBJECTIVE 1: PROVIDE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, ASSESSMENT, AND DIAGNOSIS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF ADMISSION OBJECTIVE 2: COORDINATE CARE AND PEER SUPPORT SERVICES AS PART OF INPATIENT CRISIS TREATMENT PLANNING OBJECTIVE 3: PROVIDE SCREENINGS FOR HIV, VIRAL HEPATITIS (A, B, AND C), DIABETES AND OTHER CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS OBJECTIVE 4: INCREASE EARLY INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION ABOUT CHRONIC CO-MOBILITIES THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOAL 3: TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DECREASE EMERGENCY ROOM USAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS OBJECTIVE 1. INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF CRISIS SERVICES, OBJECTIVE 2. CONDUCT AT LEAST THREE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING EVENTS OBJECTIVE 3. PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE BUSINESS CARDS AND/OR FLYERS WITH THE MOBILE CRISIS CALL LINE NUMBER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMS. GOAL 4: TO EVALUATE THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE 1. GATHER, ANALYZE, AND MONITOR PROJECT OUTCOMES AGAINST STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE 2. COLLECT DATA USING THE GPRA INSTRUMENT REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT. OBJECTIVE 3. ANALYZE AND PRODUCE REPORTS AT LEAST MONTHLY TO DISSEMINATE TO THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GOAL 5: POSITION FREEDOM HOUSE FOR PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND THE TWO-YEAR FUNDING BY SECURING ALL CREDENTIALLING AND FUNDER APPROVALS TO BILL FOR SERVICES OBJECTIVE 1. ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY WORK GROUP LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CREDENTIALLING AND FACILITIES AND COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO MEET MONTHLY TO PROVIDE INPUT AND GUIDANCE TO THE CCBHC ON IMPLEMENTATION AND SUSTAINABILITY. OBJECTIVE 2. WORK WITH UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT AND BILLING TO UNDERSTAND AND OVERCOME BARRIERS TO REIMBURSEMENT THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SERVE 400 INDIVIDUALS IN THE FIRST YEAR AND 800 IN THE SECOND YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 1,200 OVER THE GRANT FUNDING PERIOD.

FY 2021 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER (CMHC) GRANT PROGRAM - ABSTRACT FREEDOM HOUSE PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT A PROJECT THAT WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES (SED), INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI), INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD) INCLUDING OPIOID USE DISORDERS (OUD) AND THOSE WITH CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (COD) PROJECT IN ALAMANCE, ORANGE, AND PERSON COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOLLOWING ARE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT. GOAL 1: TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO 24-HOURS A DAY 7-DAYS A WEEK 365-DAYS A YEAR CRISIS SERVICES OBJECTIVE 1: INCREASE MOBILE CRISIS TEAM ENGAGEMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. OBJECTIVE 2: EMBED MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE DIRECT CRISIS RESPONSE, OBJECTIVE 3: INSTITUTE POLICIES TO HAVE MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS WORK SEAMLESSLY WITH FACILITY-BASED CRISIS FOR INTAKE AND ADMISSION GOAL 2: TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT LONG TERM WELLNESS AND RECOVERY OBJECTIVE 1: PROVIDE ONGOING TELE-MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OFFERINGS. OBJECTIVE 2: TRAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ON HEALTH DISPARITIES OBJECTIVE 3: INCREASE OUTREACH STRATEGIES AND REFERRAL PATHWAYS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS AND YOUTH GOAL 3: TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FACILITY-BASED CRISIS OBJECTIVE 1. INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG 50% OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OBJECTIVE 2. CONDUCT AT LEAST THREE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING EVENTS IN TARGETED AREAS OBJECTIVE 3. PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO FACILITY-BASED CRISIS, WHEN NEEDED GOAL 5: POSITION FREEDOM HOUSE FOR PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND THE TWO-YEAR FUNDING BY SECURING ALL CREDENTIALLING AND FUNDER APPROVALS TO BILL FOR SERVICES OBJECTIVE 1. ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY WORK GROUP LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CREDENTIALLING AND FACILITIES AND COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO MEET MONTHLY TO PROVIDE INPUT AND GUIDANCE TO THE CCBHC ON IMPLEMENTATION AND SUSTAINABILITY. OBJECTIVE 2. WORK WITH UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT AND BILLING TO UNDERSTAND AND OVERCOME BARRIERS TO REIMBURSEMENT THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SERVE 200 INDIVIDUALS IN THE FIRST YEAR AND 200 IN THE SECOND YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 400 OVER THE GRANT FUNDING PERIOD.

ORANGE PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE - ORANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR SUCCESS (OPS) PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON REDUCING AND PREVENTING THE ONSET OF YOUTH USE OF ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS (ENDS), TOBACCO AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION IN ORANGE COUNTY NC. USING STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES. REDUCTION AND CESSATION RESOURCES, STUDENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, OP WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND REDUCE RISK AMONG MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE DATA COLLECTION, POLICY ADVOCACY, MERCHANT EDUCATION, ACCESS TO INTERVENTION AND CESSATION RESOURCES, STUDENT EDUCATION AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, OP WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND REDUCE RISK AMONG MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE AREA OF FOCUS INCLUDES THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP ORANGE COUNTY - THE MORE AFFLUENT, URBAN AREAS OF CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO AND THE SMALL TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH, WHICH IS THE COUNTY SEAT, ALONG WITH THE SEVEN TOWNSHIPS IN THE RURAL AREAS. ORANGE COUNTY, NC HAS A POPULATION OF 148,476 WITH 21% OF THE POPULATION BETWEEN THE AGES 5 AND 19. OP'S PRIORITY POPULATION IS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY'S TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL (OCS) AND CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL (CHCCS). BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THERE ARE 19 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, 9 MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND 8 HIGH SCHOOLS, SERVING ALMOST 20,000 STUDENTS. ACCORDING TO THE NC YOUTH TOBACCO SURVEY, BETWEEN 2011 AND 2019, PAST 30-DAY USE OF TOBACCO INCREASED 1129% AMONG NC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THIS INCREASE IN USE OPERATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DECREASE IN INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS OF HARM. USING CADCA'S SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE, THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS IMPLEMENTED OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT. STRATEGIES INCLUDE REDUCING YOUTH ACCESS BY CONDUCTING REGULAR TOBACCO PURCHASE SURVEYS, PROVIDING EDUCATION TO MERCHANTS WHO FAIL, AND CONTINUING TO EXPAND THE YOUTH PREVENTION ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION TEAM (ADAPT) PRESENCE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. ADAPT NOT ONLY INCREASES STUDENTS' AWARENESS OF THE RISKS OF SUBSTANCE USE, THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS THEM TO EDUCATE PEERS THROUGH PEER-TO-PEER EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. ADDITIONALLY, ORANGE PARTNERSHIP WILL ADVOCATE FOR BEST PRACTICES IN STUDENT DATA COLLECTION AND STUDENT DISCIPLINE REFERRALS, AS WELL AS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDES TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS USING TOBACCO AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS. ORANGE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSES TO PREVENT YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE BY INCREASING THE COLLECTION AND REPORTING OF COMMUNITY-LEVEL DATA ON NICOTINE AND CANNABIS RELATED PRODUCTS, DECREASING YOUTH ACCESS THROUGH RETAILERS TO ENDS, NICOTINE AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE AWARE OF HARMS RELATED TO TOBACCO, CANNABIS AND VAPES, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO USE TOBACCO, CANNABIS OR VAPES REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES. OP WILL MEASURE PROGRESS TOWARDS THESE GOALS USING OUTCOME MEASURES SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF TOBACCO PURCHASE SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCANS AND MERCHANT EDUCATION TRAINING. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE MEASURES WILL BE MEASURED THROUGH YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEYS, COMMUNITY SURVEYS, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS INVOLVED IN YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS, THE NUMBER OF RETAILERS RECEIVING MERCHANT EDUCATION, THE NUMBER OF TRAINING ATTENDEES AND PEER EDUCATION RECIPIENTS. THROUGH THIS PROJECT, WE ANTICIPATE SERVING 2705, WITH AN ANTICIPATED ANNUAL REACH OF 4,830,000 MEDIA IMPRESSIONS. THE EXPECTED REACH OF 13,525 WILL BE SERVED OVER THE PROJECT PERIOD.

INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TO SERVE FRANKLIN AND GRANVILLE COUNTY. NC CHILDREN - FREEDOM HOUSE RECOVERY CENTER, INC. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FRANKLIN AND AND GRANVILLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CARDINAL INNOVATIONS HEALTHCARE WILL PROVIDE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING TO 400 PEOPLE PER YEAR AND FOR A TOTAL OF 1,900 FRANKLIN AND GRANVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHING STAFF, COUNSELORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. BY TRAINING A VAST ARRAY OF DISTRICT STAFF SERVING YOUTH, WE WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH IDENTIFIED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS BY 10% AND CONNECT THEM TO APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE COALITION WILL PREVENT AND REDUCE YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE BY IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES: DECREASE ACCESS TO ALCOHOL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THROUGH A SAFE HOMES NETWORK; INCREASE COLLABORATION AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS, ENGAGING WITH ON- AND OFF- PREMISE ALCOHOL RETAILERS TO INCREASE RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SALE; AND MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE YOUTH COUNCIL.

ORANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE YOUTH PREVENTING UNDERAGE DRINKING IN RURAL ORANGE COUNTY, NC

EXPAND COALITION CAPACITY AND REDUCE ALCOHOL AND YOUTH CANNABIS USE IN ORANGE COUNTY - FORMED IN 2022, ORANGE PARTNERSHIP (OP) ADAPT IS A COMMUNITY COALITION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO IDENTIFY THESE RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE, PROPOSE STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS, AND FOSTER A SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITY WHERE ALL YOUTH CAN THRIVE. THE COALITION HAS OVER 60 ACTIVE MEMBERS FROM LOCAL YOUTH, SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTHCARE AGENCIES, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. OP ADAPT SERVES ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS KNOWN FOR ITS URBAN-RURAL SPLIT WITH TWO DISTINCT HALVES: CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO, IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY AND HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, AND HILLSBOROUGH, THE COUNTY SEAT SURROUNDED BY FARMLAND. YOUTH UNDER 18 MAKE UP 18% OF THE COUNTY POPULATION, WHILE 29.6% ARE UNDER 21. GIVEN THE PROXIMITY TO UNC-CHAPEL HILL, A SCHOOL WITH IN-STADIUM ALCOHOL SALES, TAILGATING, ROBUST GREEK LIFE, AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF UNDERAGE AND BINGE DRINKING, UNDERAGE DRINKING IS NORMALIZED IN THE COUNTY AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND EMERGING ADULTS. STUDENTS HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED HOW EASY ALCOHOL IS TO ACCESS WHILE UNDERAGE. PARENTS AND OLDER SIBLINGS WILL OFTEN BUY ALCOHOL FOR THEIR YOUTH, AND MANY RETAILERS DO NOT FOLLOW BEST PRACTICE FOR ALCOHOL SALES. WHILE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COALITION TO LIMIT EASY RETAIL AND HOME ACCESS TO ALCOHOL, IT REMAINS A LARGE PROBLEM IN THE COUNTY. CANNABIS USE HAS ALSO INCREASED OVER THE YEARS, BOTH MARIJUANA, WHICH REMAINS ILLEGAL, AND HEMP-DERIVED PSYCHOACTIVE CANNABIS PRODUCTS, WHICH ARE LEGAL AND SOLD WITHOUT AGE RESTRICTION IN NORTH CAROLINA. ACCORDING TO LOCAL DATA, CANNABIS PRODUCTS BECOME A FREQUENTLY USED SUBSTANCE IN LATER ADOLESCENCE DUE TO ITS WIDE AVAILABILITY, LOWER PERCEPTION OF RISK, AND LACK OF YOUTH AND PARENTAL DISAPPROVAL. BECAUSE OF THESE LOCAL CONDITIONS, ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS WERE IDENTIFIED AND PROPOSED AS OUR TWO REQUIRED SUBSTANCES. FOR THIS PROJECT, WE WILL USE THE SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE TO ACCOMPLISH TWO PRIMARY GOALS: (1) TO BUILD COALITION CAPACITY BY INCREASING YOUTH EDUCATION AND VOICES, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS (CHCCS) AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND (2) TO DECREASE UNDERAGE ALCOHOL AND YOUTH CANNABIS USE IN ORANGE COUNTY BY REDUCING RETAIL ACCESS, PROMOTING SECURE ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS IN THE HOME, AND ADVOCATING FOR POLICY-WIDE CHANGE RELATED TO COUNTY-LEVEL SPECIAL EVENTS, SOCIAL DISTRICTS, AND PROMOTIONAL SIGNAGE AND DENSITY ORDINANCES. INTERVENTIONS WILL INCLUDE SCHOOL-BASED AND PARENTAL EDUCATION, POLICY ADVOCACY, ALCOHOL PURCHASE SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCANS OF ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY EVERY 2 YEARS, MEDIA-RELATED INITIATIVES, SAFE STORAGE CAMPAIGNS, AND INCENTIVES FOR RESPONSIBLE RETAILERS. SHORT, INTERMEDIATE, AND LONG-TERM PROJECT OBJECTIVES WERE CREATED TO ALIGN WITH THE PRIMARY GOALS. GOAL #1’S OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: (1) STRENGTHENING COALITION ENGAGEMENT BY 5%, (2) EXPANDING YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN PREVENTION ACTIVITIES TO ONE SCHOOL WITHIN THE CHCCS SYSTEM, (3) INCREASING SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS, MEDIA REACH, AND QUARTERLY PODCASTING EPISODE VIEWERSHIP BY 5%, (4) INCREASING ACTIVE COALITION ATTENDANCE BY 10%, AND (5) ENSURING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE COALITION, BY SECURING A FUNDING SOURCE OF $125,000 PER YEAR. GOAL #2’S OBJECTIVES ARE (1) INCREASING PERCEPTION OF RISK FOR ALCOHOL BY 15%, (2) INCREASING PERCEPTION OF RISK FOR CANNABIS BY 15%, (3) DECREASING RETAIL AND HOME ACCESS BY YOUTH OF ALCOHOL BY 5%, (4) DECREASING RETAIL AND HOME ACCESS BY YOUTH OF CANNABIS BY 5%, (5) INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ACCESSING INTERVENTION SUPPORT, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, AND REFERRALS BY 5%, (6) INCREASING LOCAL POLICIES TARGETING UNDERAGE SUBSTANCE USE, (7) DECREASING 30-DAY USE OF ALCOHOL IN ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH BY 10%, AND (8) DECREASING 30-DAY USE OF CANNABIS IN ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH BY 10%.

NORTHERN ORANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE YOUTH

BUILDING COMMUNITY CAPACITY TO PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING IN ORANGE COUNTY - OP'S STOP PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING PREVENTION IN ORANGE COUNTY, NC, FOCUSING ON YOUTH IN GRADES 6-12. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS GROWING CONCERNS SURROUNDING ALCOHOL AND EXPAND THE COALITION’S EFFORTS THROUGH INCREASING COLLABORATION AMONG COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND REDUCING YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL. ORANGE PARTNERSHIP (OP) IS A COMMUNITY COALITION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO IDENTIFY THESE RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE, PROPOSE STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS, AND FOSTER A SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITY WHERE ALL YOUTH CAN THRIVE. THE COALITION HAS OVER 60 ACTIVE MEMBERS FROM LOCAL YOUTH, SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTHCARE AGENCIES, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SERVE YOUTH IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AN AREA KNOWN FOR ITS URBAN-RURAL SPLIT WITH TWO DISTINCT HALVES: CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO, IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY AND HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, AND HILLSBOROUGH, THE COUNTY SEAT SURROUNDED BY FARMLAND. YOUTH UNDER 18 MAKE UP 18% OF THE COUNTY POPULATION, WHILE 29.6% ARE UNDER 21. ACCORDING TO THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY, ALCOHOL REMAINS THE MOST USED SUBSTANCE IN ORANGE COUNTY BY ADOLESCENTS (2025 OC YRBS). GIVEN THE PROXIMITY TO UNC-CHAPEL HILL, A SCHOOL WITH IN-STADIUM ALCOHOL SALES, TAILGATING, ROBUST GREEK LIFE, AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF UNDERAGE AND BINGE DRINKING, UNDERAGE DRINKING IS NORMALIZED IN THE COUNTY AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND EMERGING ADULTS. STUDENTS HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED HOW EASY ALCOHOL IS TO ACCESS WHILE UNDERAGE BECAUSE MANY RETAILERS AND EVENT VENDORS DO NOT FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES FOR ALCOHOL SALES. WHILE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COALITION TO LIMIT EASY ACCESS TO ALCOHOL, IT REMAINS A LARGE PROBLEM IN THE COUNTY. OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS, OP WILL INCREASE ADAPT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING GOALS: (1) INCREASE COLLABORATION AMONG COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE AND (2) REDUCE YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL. OBJECTIVES FOR GOAL 1 ARE INCREASING COALITION PREVENTION ACTIVITIES BY 20% AND INCREASING COMMUNITY PARTNER ENGAGEMENT IN ALCOHOL PREVENTION ACTIVITIES BY 10%, AS MEASURED BY COALITION MEETING ATTENDANCE AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION INITIATIVES. TO ADDRESS EASE OF ACCESS, OP WILL DECREASE YOUTH RETAIL ACCESS OF ALCOHOL BY 10% (MEASURED BY PURCHASE SURVEYS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCANS), INCREASE NUMBER OF EVENT ORGANIZERS AND/OR SPONSORS THAT FORMALLY ADOPT BEST PRACTICES REGARDING ALCOHOL SALES FOR AT LEAST 3 COMMUNITY EVENTS (MEASURED BY EVENT PLANNER AGREEMENTS), AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FARM EVENT SPACES UTILIZING SAFE ALCOHOL USE POLICIES BY TWO (MEASURED BY SIGNED FARMER/LANDOWNER AGREEMENTS). STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS USED IN THE PROJECT INCLUDE RECRUITING AND ENGAGING YOUTH COALITION MEMBERS THROUGH SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES, IDENTIFYING CONCERNS SURROUNDING UNDERAGE DRINKING IN COALITION MEETINGS AND CREATING A LOGIC MODEL AND 12-MONTH ACTION PLAN, CONDUCTING THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY (YRBS) BIENNIALLY TO COLLECT DATA, HOLDING TOWN HALL MEETINGS TO IDENTIFY ALCOHOL PREVENTION PRIORITIES, ASSESSING 20 ALCOHOL RETAILERS VIA PURCHASE SURVEYS OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCANS, AND CREATING MATERIALS OUTLINING BEST PRACTICES FOR ALCOHOL SALES/USE AT COMMUNITY AND BONA FIDE FARM EVENTS, AND IN CASE OF SOCIAL DISTRICT POLICY.

NORTHERN ORANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR ALCOHOL DRUG FREE YOUTH