Mentoring Grants Available for DFC Coalitions

Applications are now being accepted for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Mentoring program grants. In their announcement on Tuesday, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said that more than $1.1 million is available for new DFC Mentoring grants and that an estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75,000 per grant, per year).

The DFC Mentoring program provides grant funds to existing DFC grantees, so they may serve as mentors to newly formed and/or developing coalitions that have never received a DFC grant to increase their capacity to implement effective drug-prevention strategies in the communities they serve.

“The Drug Free Communities support program is the largest community-focused Federal drug prevention effort in the United States,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “By providing new drug and alcohol prevention coalitions with invaluable insight and direction, the DFC Mentoring program enhances community-based drug prevention efforts. It helps communities address their particular substance abuse risks and challenges, and empowers them to craft their own prevention strategies and responses.”

To be eligible for a DFC Mentoring grant, a coalition must have been in existence for five years; be a current DFC grantee or grantee applicant; have achieved measurable results in youth drug and alcohol prevention; and have dedicated staff, volunteers, or members to assist the mentee coalition(s). Prevention-ready communities seeking to be mentored under a DFC Mentoring grant must demonstrate the ability to garner community support from local key sectors and stakeholders, including youth, parents, businesses, media, law enforcement, government, and religious and civic organizations.

The deadline to submit a DFC Mentoring grant application is Friday, April 23, 2010. To learn more about the Drug Free Communities support program, grant application, or its requirements, visit: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/dfc.