Project Grant NH28CE004185

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $125,000 to Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District Inc. (NWAEDD) on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276) to support the Boone County Voices for Prevention coalition's efforts to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.

The Voices for Prevention coalition will address alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and opioid/prescription drug misuse among youth ages 9–18 in Boone County, Arkansas through educational and environmental strategies. The coalition will focus particularly on chemical vaping of nicotine and marijuana in schools. Work will leverage evidence-based training, community partnerships, and environmental interventions to address risk factors and strengthen protective factors that minimize substance use risk. The coalition's five-year strategy centers on strengthening relationships among stakeholders, broadening coalition capabilities, and introducing innovative educational approaches.

Performance runs through June 30, 2031, with place of performance in Boone County and across Arkansas. NWAEDD, a nonprofit economic development organization, serves as the fiscal and administrative recipient. The Drug-Free Communities Support Program requires participating coalitions to demonstrate at least six months of prior collaborative work on substance abuse reduction, meet composition requirements with substantial community volunteer involvement, provide cash or in-kind match at 100–150 percent of the federal award, and participate in program evaluation.