Expansion Funding News
The Surry County SPF-SIG Initiative requested $37,000 in early March 2009 to enhance service gaps outlined in the Surry County Needs Assessment Report (March, 2008) and planned services indicated in the Surry County Strategic Implementation Plan (July, 2008). Proposed activities included those related to community capacity and coalition development, the reduction of underage alcohol usage at the middle school level and expansion of the Surry County Project: Connect the Dots Public Service Announcement and Documentary initiative. A special allocation of $13,000 was also requested by PDFNC to include regional marketing efforts in coordination with the Stokes County CAP and CenterPoint Human Services. Both funding proposals were approved in full.
Underage alcohol usage and low perceived risks of youth associated with underage drinking was a primary issue as outlined in Surry County SPF-SIG Documentation. To supplement current Surry SPF-SIG peer led interventions for the underage population, additional funds will be used to sponsor middle school based alcohol prevention efforts. Specifically a youth advocacy and speakers bureau will be pilot tested at one Surry County Middle School. Students will lead an anti-alcohol campaign as well as speak to 5th graders about the dangers or alcohol use. Two sponsors will be retained to help coordinate school activities during the spring semester and summer months. Anti-Alcohol Poster contests as well as other evidenced based activities will be facilitated to provide appropriate knowledge to the underage population. Additional Unlimited Success Staff funds will also be included in or to facilitate our new underage drinking effort in the fastest and most efficient way possible.
Use of the Domino Strategy will also be expanded to reach greater numbers of the community that the project would have before been unable to due to budget limitations and ensure even tighter integration with the Project: Connect the Dots Documentary and Public Service Announcement effort.
The Surry County CAP also requested funds to support CAP and community trainings based on effective prevention principals. Expansion funds will allow the Surry County Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to bring the concept of alcohol abuse prevention efforts for the adult and youth populations into focus with a sustainable grassroots organizational effort. A sub-committee (of the CAP) tasked with the design, development and implementation of formal alcohol and other drug prevention coalition has already met, (per the Surry County Implementation Plan) with plans to review current prevention and treatment options within Surry County and to design and implement a sustainable and independent coalition. Expansion funds will be used to provide formal coalition building training to interested community members via the CADCA Training Center.
SPF-SIG funds were also approved to provide local transportation and coordination funding for Surry County youth and adults who are involved in local coalition building efforts to participate in already approved regional sports related prevention efforts coordinated by Partnership for a Drug Free NC.
Questions regarding this new grant effort should be directed Project Staff.
