Project Grant H79SP085290

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded Empower Somerset, Inc. $217,500 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.492) to implement the Franklin Prevention Connection throughout Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.

The project will strengthen local prevention infrastructure by implementing SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework to address documented gaps including limited evidence-based prevention programming, absence of universal substance use screening, insufficient mentoring for at-risk youth, limited parent education, and weak coordination among local partners. Empower Somerset will serve youth ages 12–18 enrolled in Franklin Township Public School District, with particular attention to students with elevated risk factors for substance use disorders, behavioral health concerns, chronic absenteeism, academic challenges, family substance use, and involvement with alternative education settings. Families, educators, school counselors, and local partners will receive enhanced prevention training, education, and technical assistance.

Project strategies include implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework, evidence-based prevention education, school-based screening and early intervention, mentoring, parent engagement initiatives, professional development for school personnel, environmental prevention strategies including retail compliance, public awareness campaigns, coalition development, youth engagement through a youth advisory board, and ongoing evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

Performance period runs through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Somerville, New Jersey. The project serves approximately 69,862 residents of Franklin Township.