Pottstown community coalition for youth

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $124,949 to Family Service of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania on July 1, 2026, under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants (CFDA 93.276), to support youth substance-use prevention efforts in Pottstown, Pennsylvania through December 31, 2030.

The Pottstown Community Coalition for Youth will implement a behavioral health approach with data-driven prevention strategies designed to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of youth substance use. The initiative will strengthen coalition capacity through training and technical assistance, establish collaborative efforts across the 12 community sectors serving Pottstown, collect and evaluate data on prevention strategy effectiveness, complement school-based evidence-based prevention programs with community-level behavioral interventions and responsive policies, employ effective prevention messaging to educate community members and shift norms, and increase partner collaboration to address barriers to youth substance use and mental health support. Pottstown, a borough of approximately 23,553 residents in Montgomery County approximately 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia, has an estimated 17.5 percent youth population ages 5–17, with nearly 100 percent of Pottstown School District students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031.

Abstract

DFC grant for pottstown community coalition for youth with support from the DFC grant, the pottstown community coalition for youth plans to utilize a behavioral health approach with data-driven prevention strategies in order to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of youth substance use. This approach is comprehensive and will (1) strengthen the capacity of the coalition through training, technical assistance, and local collaborative efforts, (2) continually collect data and evaluate strategies, (3) compliment the evidence-based school prevention programs by implementing community-based, appropriate behavioral, responsive policies and best practices, (4) impact community-level change by utilizing effective prevention messaging to educate community members and change norms, and (5) increase collaboration among collaborative partners to address barriers to addressing youth substance use and mental health in the pottstown community. Pottstown, pennsylvania is a historically rich borough located in montgomery county, approximately 40 miles northwest of philadelphia. Based on the most recent U.S. Census bureau estimates and american community survey data: ● the borough covers approximately 4.9 square miles with a 2024 estimated population of 23,553 residents. ● approximately 17.5% percent of the population is between the ages of 5 and 17. ● in the pottstown school district, nearly 100% of students qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, reflecting high levels of economic need in the student population. Pottstown's proximity to philadelphia has contributed to demographic and social shifts in recent years, with some families relocating from urban areas seeking more affordable housing and opportunities. While the community benefits from engaged schools and numerous youth‑serving organizations, there remains a strong need to strengthen collaboration and prevention efforts across all 12 community sectors. The pottstown community coalition for youth includes representation from all sectors and is well positioned to serve as a catalyst for sustainable, community‑level change that supports youth and families. Two primary objectives will be measured under goal 1: objective 1: increase visibility of the coalition 20% objective 2: increase board member knowledge by 50% and increase commitment to coalition objectives by 20% five objectives will be measured under goal 2: marijuana - objective 1: reduce marijuana use by 5% from 2023 baseline data objective 2: increase perception of harmfulness of marijuana use by 10% from baseline data alcohol - objective 3: reduce alcohol use by youth by 5% from 2023 baseline data objective 4: increase perception of harmfulness of alcohol use by 10% from 2023 baseline data vaping objective 5: reduce use of vapes by 5% from 2023 baseline data