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 tribal and community organizations develop substance use prevention services for youth living in communities disproportionately affected 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.
Youth mental health and substance use challenges are at an all-time high in California, especially for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQ+ youth, said the director of the California Department of Health Services (DHCS). , for its acronym in English?, Michelle Baass.
?Through Elevate Youth California, DHCS continues to provide safe spaces where youth have an equal 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 focus on healing and are trauma-informed, as well as such as prioritizing harm reduction and public health solutions that build resilience and prevent substance use disorder.
You may be interested in: Californians lost $158 million in 2022 to romance scams
