Mount vernon and lisbon prevention and awareness through healthy choices (path) partnership coalition drug-free communities (DFC) grant

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Mount Vernon Community School District $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to reduce youth substance use in the rural Iowa communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon through coalition-building and evidence-based prevention strategies.

The Mount Vernon and Lisbon Prevention and Awareness Through Healthy Choices (PATH) Partnership Coalition will focus on reducing underage drinking and tobacco or nicotine use among youth by implementing environmental changes aligned with seven core principles for community-level change. The combined service area has a total population of 8,641, of which 1,196 are youth aged 12–18. The coalition's two primary goals include establishing and strengthening collaboration among community stakeholders and organizations to address youth substance use, and reducing youth substance use by addressing community risk factors and promoting protective factors. Short-term objectives by June 30, 2027, include engaging five new active coalition members. Intermediate objectives by June 30, 2028, aim to increase participation in coalition events and meetings by 10 percent and enhance member understanding of internal operations by 10 percent. Long-term sustainability targets by June 30, 2031, include securing $125,000 annually in alternative funding sources and in-kind contributions.

Performance continues through June 30, 2031, in Mount Vernon and Lisbon, Iowa. The assistance type is a project grant with a five-year period of performance.

Abstract

Mount vernon community school district the mount vernon and lisbon prevention and awareness through healthy choices (path) partnership coalition drug-free communities (DFC) grant aims to reduce youth substance use in the rural iowa communities of mount vernon and lisbon; total population: 8641, of which 1,196 are youth aged 12-18. The project will focus on reducing underage drinking and tobacco/nicotine use among youth by implementing evidence-based strategies and leveraging environmental changes, in line with the seven core principles for community-level change. According to the 2023 US census report, the combined demographics for mount vernon and lisbon are 95.5% white, 1.5% hispanic, 1% black, .5% asian, and 1.5% other. The ethnic representation is 1.5% hispanic and 98.5% non-hispanic. The total population living in poverty is 4.8%, with the city of mount vernon being the highest at 6.2%. About 10% of people in our service area are living with a disability. This population is 52% female, 48% male. At 31%, just under ⅓ of the population is 19 and under in age, and 22.5% is 60 or older, with a median income of $94,740.50. This project contains two goals both with short term, intermediate and long term objectives. Goal 1: establish and strengthen collaboration among community stakeholders and organizations to address youth substance use. Short-term (by 6/30/2027): increase coalition capacity by engaging 5 new active members. Intermediate (by 6/30/2028): increase participation in coalition events and meetings by 10% and enhance member understanding of internal operations by 10%. Long-term (by 6/30/2031): secure $125,000 annually in alternative funding sources and in-kind contributions to ensure coalition sustainability. Goal 2: reduce youth substance use by addressing community risk factors and promoting protective factors. Short-term (by 6/30/2027): increase youth perception of risk from underage drinking and tobacco/nicotine use by 3%. Intermediate (by 6/31/2029): increase youth perception of parental disapproval of alcohol (4%) and tobacco/nicotine use (3%), and decrease reported ease of access to alcohol and tobacco/nicotine by 7%. Long-term (by 96/30/2031): decrease past 30-day use of alcohol by 3% and tobacco/nicotine by 2% among youth. To accomplish its goals and objectives, path will implement a comprehensive set of strategies, including: provide community outreach via events, trainings, and information dissemination; creation of a youth prevention team and engagement in one-on-one prevention efforts among youth and adults; provide evidence-based education and training for youth, schools, and community members on substance use prevention; provide policy support for schools, including restorative justice programs; development of a youth leadership conference; build and distribute tobacco/nicotine cessation kits with various access points in the community; collaborate with law enforcement to provide alcohol and tobacco/nicotine compliance checks; support for school resource officer with evidence-based training; develop media campaigns targeting youth and parents; and participate in awareness events like the great american smokeout and kick butts day. By implementing a comprehensive community-driven approach with environmental and evidence-based strategies, path will create long-term changes in attitudes and beliefs toward substance use, empower youth leaders engaged in creating healthier communities, and enhance community resilience to reduce youth and community-wide substance use.