Cross county hometown health coalition's youth for health project - the cross county hometown health coalition (CCHHC), based in rural eastern arkansas, is applying for year 6 funding under the…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to ST Bernards Hospital Inc., operating as Cross County Hospital through its Crossridge Community Hospital Division, on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) for Year 6 funding of the Cross County Hometown Health Coalition's Youth for Health Project.

The coalition, based in rural eastern Arkansas and serving Cross County including Wynne, Cherry Valley, and Parkin, implements youth substance use prevention activities addressing elevated local risk from community norms favorable to substance use, easy access to alcohol and prescription drugs, and limited structured prevention. The 2023 Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment documented 34 percent of local 12th graders reporting lifetime alcohol use and 7 percent reporting prescription drug misuse.

Key activities include youth-led prevention campaigns, parent education, peer mentoring programs, medication take-back initiatives, and enforcement of underage drinking laws. The coalition coordinates across sectors including schools, law enforcement, and youth-serving organizations, aligned with the Strategic Prevention Framework and CADCA's Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change. In Year 6, the coalition will enhance youth coalition participation, strengthen community policy enforcement, and improve parental awareness. Short-term outcomes target increased knowledge of substance use risks and greater prevention effort visibility; intermediate outcomes focus on improved risk perception and sector collaboration; long-term goals include measurable decreases in 30-day alcohol and prescription drug use among youth and increased community protective factors.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Crossridge Community Hospital serves as the coalition's fiscal agent.

Cross county hometown health coalition's youth for health project - the cross county hometown health coalition (CCHHC), based in rural eastern arkansas, is applying for year 6 funding under the drug-free communities (DFC) support program. With a mission to prevent and reduce youth alcohol and prescription drug use, the coalition serves cross county, including the communities of wynne, cherry valley and parkin. Cross county's youth continue to face elevated substance use risks, exacerbated by community norms favorable to substance use, easy access to alcohol and prescription drugs, and limited structured prevention activities. According to the 2023 arkansas prevention needs assessment (APNA), 34% of local 12TH graders reported lifetime alcohol use, and 7% reported misusing prescription drugs. CCHHC addresses these challenges through a coordinated, multi-sector approach aligned with the strategic prevention framework and cadca's seven strategies for community-level change. Key activities include youth-led prevention campaigns, parent education, peer mentoring programs, medication take-back initiatives, and enforcement of underage drinking laws. The coalition also leverages partnerships with crossridge community hospital (its fiscal agent), schools, law enforcement, and youth-serving organizations to implement community-specific strategies and provide sustainable support for local youth. In year 6, the coalition will expand its reach by enhancing youth coalition participation, strengthening community policy enforcement, and improving parental awareness. Expected short-term outcomes include increased knowledge of substance use risks and greater visibility of prevention efforts. Intermediate outcomes will focus on improved perceptions of risk and stronger collaboration among local sectors. Long-term goals include a measurable decrease in 30-day use of alcohol and prescription drugs among youth and an increase in community protective factors. All activities are designed to be responsive to local needs, supported by current data, and integrated across community systems to ensure sustainability beyond the grant period.