DFC
Rescue 180 received the DFC grant in October 2019. This is a 5 year grant. Another 5 years may be applied for after that time.
Drug-Free Communities Support Program
Project Description
The Rescue 180 Coalition was awarded a FY 2019 Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant in the amount of $ 125,000 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Coalition serves Jefferson County, Tennessee a community of 54,012. The goals of the coalition are to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance use. The coalition will achieve its goals by implementing these strategies: (Rescue: The Next Generation) By providing information about prevention education in workshops, health fairs, town hall meetings, media campaigns, social media, the Rescue 180 App, and brochures, the coalition is expecting to see a decrease in marijuana and prescription medication use among youth. One of their most important goals is to educate leaders, teachers, coaches, pastors and parents in order to deal with the social perception of risk and perception of disapproval of these substances. The coalition plans to reach out to all youth serving organizations, such as Boys and Girls Club and the school system. In building up the capacity and strengthening collaboration, the coalition will continue to coordinate with all organizations that support their mission to fight substance abuse, working to build an even healthier organization that will fill in many gaps and act as a safety net for the community.
A new federal grant will bring $125,000 to Jefferson County annually for drug abuse prevention.
Jefferson County Substance Abuse Coalition, Rescue 180 was recently awarded a Drug Free Communities Support grant by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
“Rescue 180 will use a variety of evidence based strategies to combat and impact our substance abuse epidemic that is nationwide.” said Rev. Debra Shultz, Executive Director/CEO of the community organization, “We feel honored and have worked very hard to lower our substance abuse problem, and have provided prevention education for Jefferson County for a decade.”
The organization now has 3 staff members: 2 Certified Prevention Specialists, and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist to provide advocacy for our recovery needs countywide.
“This is a community organization, and our volunteers and stakeholders have helped make this happen.” shares Assistant Director, Keith Shultz. “The Coalition is made up of Law enforcement (local, state and Federal), Health Department, UT Extension, Recovery organizations, Faith-based organizations, media, Boys and Girls Club, Schools, Colleges and many other organizations.”
Community members interested in supporting the group’s efforts, want to learn more, or would like to become involved with Rescue180 can call their office at 865-640-4843 or email rescue180@yahoo.com.