DC-RFA-CE-25-0114, drug-free communities (DFC) support program - new (year 1), department of health and human services, centers for disease control - ncipc - mission statement the family and community…

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Motivation Education & Training Inc. (Met) $125,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program (CFDA 93.276) to prevent and reduce youth substance use in Montgomery County, Texas.

Met, in partnership with the Family and Community Coalition of East Texas (FCCET), will implement a countywide Drug-Free Communities initiative targeting individuals under age 18, with primary focus on middle and high school students. The project engages schools, families, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations to address substance use risk factors, reduce drug access, and strengthen protective supports. Montgomery County youth face documented risks including mental health challenges, academic stress, and easy access to alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs; local data report 38.4 percent of students in grades 7–12 with lifetime alcohol use and more than 2,000 students reporting methamphetamine use often beginning between ages 9 and 15.

The project runs through June 30, 2031, with place of performance in Texas. The Drug-Free Communities Support Program establishes and strengthens community coalitions to prevent youth substance abuse by addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors. Awards are cooperative agreements with periods of performance from 1 to 5 years and may continue non-competitively based on satisfactory progress.

DC-RFA-CE-25-0114, drug-free communities (DFC) support program - new (year 1), department of health and human services, centers for disease control - ncipc - mission statement the family and community coalition of east texas (fccet) mobilizes families, youth, schools, law enforcement, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and community partners to prevent and reduce substance misuse among youth. Through collaboration, education, evidence-based strategies, and community-driven action, fccet works to create a safer, healthier, and drug-free east texas for current and future generations. The montgomery county drugfc program supports youth in making healthy, drug-free choices by strengthening families, schools, and community partnerships. Its goal is to build protective factors, promote positive relationships, and support safe, resilient communities. The family and community coalition of east texas (fccet), in partnership with motivation, education & training, INC. (met), proposes a countywide DFC initiative to prevent and reduce youth substance use in montgomery county, texas. The project will serve individuals under age 18, with a primary focus on middle and high school students. By engaging schools, families, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the initiative will address substance use risk factors, reduce access to drugs, and strengthen protective supports. Youth in montgomery county face increasing risks related to substance use, including mental health challenges, academic stress, trauma, and easy access to alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. Local data show that 38.4% of students in grades 7-12 report lifetime alcohol use, and 30% of 12TH graders report recent use. Five percent of students report first alcohol use at age 8 or younger, and more than 2,000 students report methamphetamine use, often beginning between ages 9 and 15. Perceived harm is declining, and parental disapproval is lower than national averages. These factors, combined with a 120% increase in teen overdose deaths in 2022 and recent youth drug-related arrests, demonstrate an urgent need for coordinated prevention. Additional challenges include high poverty rates among single-parent households, limited youth treatment options, transportation barriers, a shortage of bilingual counselors, and multiple school districts. While community partners such as soul and m-cope provide critical services, the county lacks a unified prevention system. This DFC initiative will strengthen and coordinate existing efforts using the DFC model. Met will support coalition development, youth engagement, data-driven planning, and evidence-based strategies that reduce substance access, increase awareness, and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Through this initiative, montgomery county will shift community norms, strengthen protective factors, and create lasting environmental change that supports youth health and safety.