School Partnerships include working together with faculty, staff, and parents representing public and private schools. Work focuses on surveying students, helping to identify and respond to substance use issues, working with existing groups in the schools to promote healthy lifestyles and offering support as schools implement evidence-based prevention curriculum. Each school partnership functions in ways that best match their needs and resources. The coalition also enjoys active involvement of schools from across the community on its Enforcement Team, Provider Team, and media/community education efforts. Accomplishments and current projects include the following:
Funding to Rice County Schools
Through federal Drug-Free Communities grants, the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition and the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative provide funding support to Rice County schools to help with the review and adoption of evidence-based drug and alcohol prevention curricula and programs. The programs help reduce youth substance use through drug education, character education, social skills development, youth development, and/or promoting a positive school climate.
A total of $10,000 in funding is available. Any Rice County school district or individual school is eligible to apply. The application deadline is rolling throughout the 2011-12 school year (while funding is available). View full RFP.
Funding is available in two categories (click on each to access the application):
• Planning Grants – to assist school staff, administration, and students in reviewing evidence-based programs/curricula and selecting one for ultimate implementation
• Implementation Grants – to assist with the purchase and implementation of an evidence-based program/curriculum for Rice County school(s)
Direct questions and/or completed proposals to:
Kathy Sandberg
507-210-5151
ksandberg@ricecountychc.com
Zach Pruitt
507-664-3524
zpruitt@carleton.edu
Past Grant Recipients
Planning Grants:
- Discovery Public School
- Faribault High School
- Faribault Middle School
- Northfield Area Learning Center
Planning & Implementation Grants:
- Bethlehem Academy
- Cannon River STEM School
- Faribault Middle School
- Northfield High School
- Northfield School of Art and Technology (ARTech)
Other Initiatives
- Partnering with community agencies to create a locally-focused DVD for parents and community members about youth substance use
- Conducting yearly surveys of students to gather information about youth alcohol/other drug use, perceptions of harm, perceptions of disapproval, ease of access and other important data.
- Offering substance abuse services in the school setting provided by a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
- Conducting school connectedness activities. Connections to school and community act as protective factors against substance abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, drop out and other risk factors for youth.
- Reviewing school curriculum for inclusion of best practices in educating about and prevention youth alcohol and other drug use.
- Reviewing school activity offerings to help ensure opportunities for youth engage in healthy, safe and structured activities.
- Investigate other best practices in substance abuse prevention for implementation in Rice County with an emphasis on environmental strategies.
- Continue to expand Coalition membership with special emphasis on including members of ethnic communities, businesses and faith communities.
