Newsroom > DHHS News Release 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2009
CONTACT
Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047 or marla.augustine@nebraska.gov
Substance Abuse Prevention Grants Awarded
Lincoln—Nine communities will receive a total of $300,493 from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, for substance abuse prevention activities, primarily among school-age youth. The source of funding is the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
The goals of the funded activities are to decrease the number of youth who engage in substance abuse and/or violence; delay the age when youth begin to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs; improve academic achievement; promote adult/youth relationships; and provide community supports for youth both before and after school.
“Substance abuse among our young people is a serious problem in Nebraska, as elsewhere,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer. “These grants will enable communities in Nebraska to address this problem with programs specifically targeted to youth.”
Recipient |
Location |
Amount |
Service Area |
Description |
| Oasis Counseling International |
Norfolk |
$40,000 |
Madison County |
Expansion of Befriend program to Hispanic youth and outlying communities |
| GLW Children’s Council, Inc. |
Burwell |
$38,567 |
Garfield, Loup, Wheeler Counties |
Decrease number of youth who engage in substance abuse |
| North Central District Health Department |
O’Neill |
$39,743 |
Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce, Rock counties |
2 Youth Leadership Training Summits in north-central Nebraska |
| Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters |
Lincoln |
$39,168 |
Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson counties |
Mentoring at-risk youth |
| Indian Center, Inc. |
Lincoln |
$33,204 |
Lancaster County |
Implement the “Empowering Opportunities through Cultural Community” project |
Note: For more information about individual projects, contact the following:
Oasis Counseling International: Dr. Mark Stortvedt (402) 379-2030
GLW Children’s Council: Trisha Crandall (308) 346-4284
North Central District Health Department: Camille Ohri (402) 336-2406
Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters: Dana Burger (402) 464-2227
Indian Center Inc: Clyde Tyndall (402) 438-5231, ext. 114
South Central Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition: Wendy Keele (402) 463-0524
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands: Nancy Thompson (402) 505-8028
Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board: Denise Zwiener (308) 865-2280
Banner County Prevention Coalition: Marie Parker (308) 436-5262
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