The University of Delaware received a $349,972 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) under the Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.516), awarded September 30, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 29, 2028. The "UD 4-H Expanding Behavioral Health and Prevention Reach in Rural Delaware" project addresses substance use prevention in rural Delaware communities, where overdose deaths persist at nearly one per day and tobacco, e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use rates significantly exceed national averages. The grant supports implementation of evidence-based curricula and behavioral health interventions targeting youth and adults across rural Sussex County and surrounding areas.
Deliverables under this award include: implementation of Botvin LifeSkills curriculum for youth to develop decision-making and peer-pressure resistance skills; Botvin Parenting programming for parents and community members; the GEM (Get Experience in Mindfulness) program teaching stress management and goal-setting through breathing, stretching, and mindfulness techniques; the "Escape the Vape" module addressing vaping dangers; and a Health and Wellness Ambassador peer-mentorship model utilizing trained teens as educators. The project incorporates the REACH Prevention Academy, a web-based platform, and includes voluntary participant surveys and focus groups to assess community needs and program effectiveness. All programs are delivered through Delaware 4-H's Cooperative Extension model as required by program guidelines.