Project Grant NH28CE004107

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Horizon Public Health $125,000 on July 1, 2026, through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to support the Healthy Voices Healthy Choices Coalition's substance use prevention efforts in Alexandria, Minnesota.

The coalition will prevent and reduce youth alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana use by co-designing evidence-based prevention strategies guided by the Strategic Prevention Framework, CADCA's Seven Strategies for Community Change, and the Local Best Model framework. Activities include youth and adult co-designed media campaigns to correct false beliefs about substance use; policy work with community organizations to reduce youth access to alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana; community training to build prevention skills and reduce mental health stigma; resource education on substance use impacts and healthy coping strategies; implementation of alternatives-to-suspension and youth quitting services; youth-led programs focused on connection, purpose, and leadership development; and youth-led research to identify and address local mental health challenges. Wilder Research will conduct independent evaluation to assess strategy effectiveness and inform adjustments over the award period.

The award covers the five-year period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with work performed in Minnesota. The program requires the coalition to demonstrate at least six months of prior collaborative substance abuse reduction work, meet composition requirements, ensure substantial community volunteer effort, maintain a 100–150 percent cash or in-kind match, and participate in program evaluation.