Strategic prevention framework- partnerships for success for states - missouri will implement a statewide strategic prevention framework (SPF) initiative to strengthen prevention capacity, expand…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Missouri Department of Mental Health $2 million on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.492) to implement a statewide Strategic Prevention Framework initiative addressing youth substance use.

Missouri will establish a coordinated system of Prevention Resource Centers and community coalitions to build prevention infrastructure across the state. Activities combine statewide capacity building—including training, technical assistance, data support, and fiscal guidance to Prevention Resource Centers—with targeted community-level implementation of evidence-based strategies in high-need areas. The project applies a combined Model A and Model B approach: Model A strengthens statewide prevention infrastructure through cross-system coordination; Model B supports local implementation in selected communities. County-level data will guide prioritization and resource allocation to expand coalition coverage into unserved areas and improve local partners' data-driven decision making and ability to implement and sustain evidence-based prevention services. Youth ages 12–18 represent the primary population of focus, with particular emphasis on communities demonstrating elevated risk for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Broader community systems and families supporting prevention also benefit from capacity-building activities.

The award runs through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Strategic prevention framework- partnerships for success for states - missouri will implement a statewide strategic prevention framework (SPF) initiative to strengthen prevention capacity, expand access to evidence-based strategies, and reduce youth substance use. Through a coordinated system of prevention resource centers (PRCS) and community coalitions, the project will build infrastructure, improve data-driven decision making, and support local implementation in high-need areas. This approach combines statewide capacity building with targeted community-level interventions to improve outcomes for missourians. Missouri will implement this project statewide, using county-level data to guide prioritization and resource allocation. Capacity development will focus on strengthening PRCS, expanding coalition coverage into unserved areas, and improving the ability of local partners to use data, implement evidence-based strategies, and sustain prevention services. These efforts will address gaps in coalition capacity, data access, geographic reach, and youth engagement identified through a statewide needs assessment. The population of focus includes youth ages 12-18, their families, and the broader community systems that support prevention. While capacity-building activities will benefit all missourians, direct prevention services will target youth ages 12-18, with particular focus on communities demonstrating elevated risk for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. These youth represent a critical population given declining age of first use and increased risk for substance use disorders. Missouri will implement a combined model a and model B approach. Model a activities will strengthen statewide prevention infrastructure through training, technical assistance, data support, fiscal guidance, and cross-system coordination. Model B activities will support local implementation of evidence-based strategies in selected communities. Interventions will be guided by local needs assessments, focusing on risk and protective factors, and implemented through established models such as spirit and other samhsa-aligned evidence-based programs. Prevention subcontractor agencies will receive ongoing technical assistance to ensure effective, high-quality implementation, and all training and materials will be shared with samhsa. Project goals include: (1) strengthening statewide prevention infrastructure and increasing prevention provider capacity to secure independent federal funding; (2) expanding coalition presence by adding at least 20 counties with active, data-driven coalitions and establishing a statewide youth advisory group; (3) improving data collection and use, including increasing participation in the missouri student survey; and (4) implementing evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce youth substance use. This project aligns with samhsa's strategic priorities by preventing substance use among youth, strengthening evidence-based prevention systems, and using data to identify and respond to emerging behavioral health needs.