Healthy voices healthy choices coalition (HVHCC) - healthy voices healthy choices (HVHC) - drug-free communities grant abstract summary healthy voices healthy choices (HVHC), in partnership with…

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.

Healthy voices healthy choices coalition (HVHCC) - healthy voices healthy choices (HVHC) - drug-free communities grant abstract summary healthy voices healthy choices (HVHC), in partnership with horizon public health (HPH), is applying for drug-free communities (DFC) funding to reduce youth substance use and strengthen community collaboration in alexandria, minnesota. Alexandria is a rural community of about 14,943 people in douglas county and serves surrounding towns through the alexandria public school district. Purpose this project aims to prevent and reduce youth use of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and marijuana by creating a supportive environment where young people feel connected, valued, and have opportunities that health. HVHC will focus on promoting mental wellness, strengthening relationships, and using proven prevention strategies to reduce and prevent youth substance use. Strategies HVHC will use trusted frameworks like the strategic prevention framework, cadca's seven strategies for community change, and the local best model (belonging, engagement, social cohesion, and trust). Together, these guide a range of prevention efforts, including: • youth and adults CO-design media campaigns to correct false beliefs about substance use • work with organizations to change policies and reduce youth access to alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana • offer community training to build skills, reduce mental health stigma, and reduce access to substances • educate on available resources, impacts of substance use, and healthy coping strategies • implement programs that change consequences for youth use, such as alternatives-to-suspension and youth quitting services • youth-led programs that build connection, purpose, and leadership • youth-led research projects to identify and address local mental health challenges evaluation an independent team at wilder research will collect and review data to make sure strategies are working and adjust them if needed. Every two years, the alexandria youth survey will measure changes in youth substance use, access, risk perception, and peer influences. Feedback from events and partners will also guide improvements. Outcomes over five years, HVHC expects to see a measurable drop in youth alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. The project will also build stronger, lasting community support systems that help young people grow up healthy, safe, and substance-free. Additionally, the project will help create an environment where all people in alexandria can be free from substance misuse and abuse.