CE26-0220 - the two rivers partners in prevention coalition will work to reduce youth substance use and its consequences. - the two rivers partners in prevention (TR PIP) coalition represents the city…

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center, Incorporated on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276).

The Two Rivers Partners in Prevention Coalition will reduce youth substance use and its consequences in Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, a semi-rural community of approximately 11,271 residents. The coalition's work plan, grounded in SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework, focuses on enhancing protective factors, shifting community norms, increasing perception of risk, and reducing access and availability of alcohol, marijuana, and vape products. Strategies include school-based prevention programs, youth-led peer education through the Youth Coalition, parent training workshops, and policy change efforts. The award spans five years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

A comprehensive needs assessment identified early substance use initiation, low perceived harm, and easy social access to alcohol and vape products as key risk factors among youth. Mental health indicators were also alarming: over half of high school students reported anxiety, 22 percent engaged in self-harm, and 11 percent attempted suicide. Secondary challenges include bullying, food insecurity, and limited access to behavioral health services due to the community's semi-rural geography.

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program establishes and strengthens collaborations among community coalitions, public and private nonprofits, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth. Recipient organizations must demonstrate at least six months of prior collaborative work, provide 100–150 percent cash or in-kind match, and participate in program evaluation.

CE26-0220 - the two rivers partners in prevention coalition will work to reduce youth substance use and its consequences. - the two rivers partners in prevention (TR PIP) coalition represents the city of two rivers in manitowoc county, wisconsin-a small, close-knit lakeside community with a population of approximately 11,271. Known for its scenic shoreline, family-oriented atmosphere, and strong civic pride, two rivers also faces pressing public health challenges, particularly among youth. Despite strong community ties, the city grapples with youth substance use, mental health concerns, food insecurity, and limited access to behavioral health services due to its semi-rural geography. A comprehensive needs assessment, including 2023 youth risk behavior survey (YRBS) data, school discipline reports, compliance checks, and Q1 2025 youth focus groups, identified early initiation of substance use, low perception of harm, and easy social access to alcohol, marijuana, and vape products as key risk factors. Youth reported high rates of THC vaping at school, unsupervised drinking at house parties, and minimal consequences for substance use-highlighting the normalization of risky behaviors. Mental health indicators are also alarming, with over half of high school students reporting anxiety, 22% engaging in self-harm, and 11% attempting suicide. These challenges are exacerbated by bullying, lack of trusted adult connections, food insecurity, and sleep deprivation. In response, TR PIP has prioritized reducing youth alcohol and marijuana use through a multi-sector, data-driven strategy grounded in samhsa's strategic prevention framework. The coalition will implement a comprehensive work plan focused on enhancing protective factors, shifting community norms, increasing perception of risk, and reducing access and availability. Strategies include school-based prevention programs, youth-led peer education through the youth coalition, parent training workshops, policy change efforts, and "improved access to prevention messaging aligned with community needs" the TR PIP coalition brings together with multiple sectors, including schools, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, community organizations, youth, and parents-to collaboratively implement environmental strategies that build capacity and create lasting change. With clearly defined short-, intermediate-, and long-term objectives, TR PIP is committed to creating a healthier, more resilient two rivers community by reducing substance use and supporting the well-being of its youth.