California on Tuesday awarded nearly $17 million to 44 community and tribal organizations to develop and increase youth substance use prevention services through civic engagement and culturally competent programs.
These grants are part of Elevate Youth California, a state program that addresses substance use disorder.
These investments will seek to help grassroots community and tribal organizations develop substance use prevention services for youth living in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
“California is committed to reaching young people struggling with substance use and mental health issues where they are, with the resources they need to stay healthy,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“We are investing in our community partners who work day in and day out to help vulnerable youth access the quality, culturally competent services they need and deserve,” she added.
Mental health and substance use challenges for youth are at an all-time high in California, especially for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQ+ youth, said California Department of Health Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass.
“Through Elevate Youth California, DHCS continues to provide safe spaces where youth have an equitable opportunity to receive preventive behavioral health services.”
Support will empower youth to create policy and systems change through civic engagement, implement culturally and linguistically competent youth development programs, peer support, and mentoring that are healing-centered and trauma-informed, and prioritize harm reduction and public health solutions that build resilience and prevent substance use disorder.
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