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Deerfield Valley Community Partnership Receives Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant
 Wilmington, VT, 2008 – The Vermont Department of Health has awarded a drug and alcohol prevention grant to The Deerfield Valley Community Partnership (DVCP) to develop, strengthen and maintain substance abuse prevention services in the Deerfield Valley.
The grant will impact underage drinking and high-risk alcohol and marijuana use by Vermonters age 25 and younger. The prevalence rates in Vermont among 18-to-25 year-olds for alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and marijuana use has declined in the past 10 years, but continues to be well above national averages.
This grant provides a strategy for each community to address their unique needs, while being supported by an overarching statewide plan. These collaborative efforts aim to promote constructive lifestyles and norms that discourage substance use.
“The DVCP has been providing prevention services and programs for over nine years in the Deerfield Valley” said Cindy Hayford, DVCP Coordinator. “This grant allows us to use our experience and existing partnerships in the area to expand and increase the amount of work we can do to build a healthier community.”
The initial focus of the grant will be to educating youth, young adults, their parents and the community about youth alcohol consumption. In addition, DVCP hopes to expand it’s outreach, programs and activities to young adults ages 18-25.
“This grant allows for a renewed focus on education about alcohol and drug issues before substance abuse becomes a life-long problem,” said Deputy Health Commissioner of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Programs Barbara Cimaglio. “Our hope is that this opportunity will mobilize a new generation of prevention leaders.”
The funds come from the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) grant that was awarded to the Health Department by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
For more information about the Strategic Prevention Framework grant, a list of the grantees, and information about Vermont’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program, go to http://healthvermont.gov. To reach the Deerfield Valley Community Partnership, call 802-464-1698.
National Outstanding Partnership Award - 2001
 Washington, DC - At its 12th Annual National Leadership Forum, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) honor Deerfield Valley Community Partnership (DVCP) of Wilmington, VT with a 2001 Outstanding Coalition Award. DVCP received the award for its success in curbing substance abuse at the community level. Their efforts were responsible for reducing the use of alcohol among eighth graders by 34% and high school seniors by 12%, and decreasing tobacco use among eighth graders by 10% and high school seniors by 27%.
Upon presenting the award CADCA Chairman and CEO Arthur T. Dean commented, "The Deerfield Valley Community Partnership is truly making a difference in the fight to keep our communities free of alcohol and drug use. I commend Cindy Hayford and all of the people who make up the Deerfield Valley Community Partnership for their contribution to making Halifax, Readsboro, Stamford, Whitingham, and Wilmington safe, healthy, and drug-free."
The DVCP was singled out for for its effective efforts to reduce substance abuse through community education, community mobilization, prevention trainings, and in-school programs.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is the premier national membership organization providing training, information and support to anti-drug coalitions across the country. Community anti-drug coalitions are local partnerships between parents, teachers, youth, law enforcement, health providers, the faith community, business and civic leaders, elected officials and concerned citizens who unite and mobilize to make their communities safe, healthy, and drug-free... one community at a time.
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