18 Mar Funding Alert! Drug-Free Communities Support Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Does your organization work to address substance use among local youth? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now accepting applications for its 2021 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. This program supports community coalitions that work together to prevent substance use among youth ages 18 years and younger. DFC aims to establish and strengthen multisector collaboration in these efforts to address community-level factors that increase the risk of substance use, and to promote the factors that minimize the risk of substance use among youth. DFC proposals are due May 10, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are domestic community-based coalitions that are addressing youth substance use and have never received a DCF grant. The organization applying on behalf of the coalition must be within the United States; this could include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts, institutions of higher education, or Native American tribal organizations, among others.
Coalitions must show at least a six-month history of working together on substance abuse initiatives and must include at least one representative from each of the following categories or sectors: youth; parent; business; media; school; youth-serving organization; law enforcement; religious/fraternal organization; civic/volunteer group; health care; state, local, or tribal governmental agency with substance abuse expertise; and another organization involved in reducing substance abuse.
What are the program activities?
Using the Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change, DFC-funded coalitions will develop and implement a comprehensive 12-month action plan to limit access to substances, change the culture and context around substance use-related decision-making, and shift the consequences for substance use among youth. The seven strategies include the following:
- Provide information to raise community-level awareness;
- Enhance skills to promote education and safety around substance use;
- Provide support that creates opportunities for healthy alternative activities;
- Enhance access/reduce barriers to preventative services and programs;
- Change consequences to incentivize positive activities over negative ones;
- Change physical design of the community to reduce risk of youth substance use; and
- Educate and inform about modifying/changing policies to reduce the availability of and youths’ access to substances.
DFC-funded coalitions will also use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) evidence-based Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to develop long-range community plans. The SPF involves (1) assessment of the issues, (2) building capacity to address the issues, (3) planning to create a 12-month action plan and multi-year strategic plan, (4) implementation of these plans, and (5) ongoing evaluation of activities, efforts, and strategies.
The funder expects to award 100 grants of up to $125,000 per year for up to five years. Note that this program requires a 100% non-federal cost match for applicants in their first cycle of DFC funding (years 1-5). Organizations eligible for a second cycle must provide 100% matching funds in year 6, 125% in years 7-8, and 150% in years 9-10.
What makes a project a good fit?
Applicants to this program will define the communities they propose to serve; as such, they should choose an area and population size that will allow the coalition to effectively create change. Applicants should pay particular attention to health equity issues faced by underserved populations and populations at higher risk for substance abuse/misuse in their target communities. For example, this could include Black and Hispanic youth, LGBTQ+ youth, youth in rural areas, non-English speaking populations, people with limited health literacy, and tribal populations.
What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:
- Download and review the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) from gov for additional program details.
- Visit the CDC’s program page for this opportunity, where you can learn more about the DFC program and view past funding announcements, FAQs, and previously funded programs.
- Learn more about the public health initiatives and strategies the DFC program supports, including Healthy People 2030, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Five-Point Opioid Strategy, and the National Prevention Council’s National Prevention Strategy – America’s Plan for Better Health.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
Start preparing for the next opportunity! The CDC’s DFC page also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The program’s webpage provides additional resources, webinars, and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.
How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?
AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
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