Champions for a drug free muhlenberg county - the champions for a drug free muhlenberg county coalition has provided a strong, unified impetus for drug prevention in the county and has been highly…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to the County of Muhlenberg on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276).

The recipient, operating through the Muhlenberg County Health Department, funds the Champions for a Drug-Free Muhlenberg County coalition to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth. The coalition implements evidence-based curriculum education programs in county schools, trains parents and community members on trending drugs and youth substance prevention, and conducts the Kentucky Incentive for Prevention (KIP) survey in collaboration with the local school district to track drug trends. During years 6–10 of the award period, the coalition will expand to include faith-based community groups such as Celebrate Recovery, develop Drug Endangered Children (DEC) alliance capacity with training for coalition and community members in DEC awareness and approach strategies, and expand substance prevention and character education programming in Muhlenberg County elementary and middle schools. Coalition members will disseminate training and new information to the broader local community.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with place of performance in Kentucky. The DFC Support Program establishes and strengthens collaboration among community coalitions, public and private nonprofits, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse by addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors.

Champions for a drug free muhlenberg county - the champions for a drug free muhlenberg county coalition has provided a strong, unified impetus for drug prevention in the county and has been highly involved in seeking grants/additional resources. The primary drug-free initiatives are driven by the coalition. In addition to implementing proven curriculum education programs in the county schools, the coalition diligently trains and educates parents and community members about trending drugs and youth substance prevention. The coalition collaborates with the local school district to continue tracking drug trends by surveying students with the kentucky incentive for prevention (KIP) survey. This long-term commitment to change for champions follows the strategic prevention framework. Champions will continue to collaborate with community agencies to develop a physical design cohesive with the drug free communities goals to build a stronger community commitment to substance free youth. Supporting community groups (i.e. faith-based celebrate recovery) who share the goal of substance free youth will be a priority in years 6-10 in an effort to build capacity and sustainability for after DFC funding ends. Champions, during DFC years 6-10, will become a drug endangered alliance (DEC), training coalition members and community members in the DEC awareness and approach strategies. Focus will be on identifying drug endangered children and reducing their adverse childhood experiences while building protective factors. When coalition members receive training, a plan is in place for members to share new information and training with the wider local community. Also, champions will focus on additional substance prevention and character education in muhlenberg county elementary schools and the middle school empowering children at a younger age to make positive choices. The drug free communities director, coordinator, and coalition members will collaborate with the ignite program at the middle school which strives to smooth the transition from middle to high for students who struggle with change. This collaboration will provide ignite students with substance prevention, character building, and development of coping skills and protective factors. Additionally, the coalition will train community members in substance misuse, prevention, and drug endangered children to provide information ultimately changing the design and perception of substance misuse in muhlenberg county. Looking to the future, the coalition is planning the implementation of additional targeted mentoring programs in the schools as well as developing character-building programs in local schools while continuing to strengthen youth and community protective factors. The coalition will develop plans for sustainability while building capacity for future prevention work.