SAMHSA Unveils Strategic Prevention Framework

SAMHSA will award up to $45 million in competitive grants to states later this year as part of a new Strategic Prevention Framework to advance community-based programs to prevent substance abuse and promote mental health.

The idea is to use findings from public health research along with evidence-based prevention programs to create healthier communities. The effort is aligned with the HealthierUS initiative launched last year by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson at the request of President Bush.

"Our goal is to aid Americans in living healthier, longer lives," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W.

SAMHSA will provide the grants through the state Governors' offices, which will work in partnership with community-level organizations. The goals are to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse, including childhood and underage drinking; reduce substance abuse-related problems in communities; and strengthen prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels.

The Strategic Prevention Framework will also enable states, territories, and the District of Columbia to bring together funding streams from multiple sources to create an approach that cuts across existing programs and systems.

A minimum of 85 percent of the grant award must be allocated to communities for local activities, including data-based decision-making and evidence-based prevention efforts. States will use the remaining funds—approximately 15 percent—to provide leadership and coordination of projects within the states; hire specific staff; conduct a statewide needs assessment; establish and maintain a state epidemiological workgroup; develop a statewide strategic plan; conduct ongoing monitoring and oversight of the grant project; conduct a state-level evaluation of the project; and provide training and technical assistance to support the project.

SAMHSA anticipates funding approximately 20 awards of up to $3 million per year in Fiscal Year 2004 for a period of up to 5 years.

Participating communities will use five steps known to promote youth development, reduce risk-taking behaviors, build assets and resilience, and prevent problem behaviors across the life span. These steps include the following:

• Profile needs and response capacity
  
  
• Mobilize and build needed capacity
  
  
• Develop a prevention plan
  
  
• Implement programs, policies, and strategies based on what is known to be effective
  
  
• Evaluate program effectiveness and sustain what has worked well.

The success of the Strategic Prevention Framework will be measured by specific outcomes, including abstinence from drug use and alcohol abuse, reduction in substance abuse-related crime, attainment of employment or enrollment in school, increased stability in family and living conditions, increased access to services, and increased social connectedness. Communities will monitor and report outcomes to assess effectiveness and determine if the objectives are being attained.

For more information on SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework, contact the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847-2345; or call 1 (800) 729-6686 (English and Spanish) or 1 (800) 487-4889. For information online, visit SAMHSA's Web site at www.samhsa.gov.

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