FY 2003 Drug-Free Communities Support Program Application for Continuation Funding

Inwood Community Services, Inc. is the fiscal agent for the UNIDOS Inwood Coalition. The coalition serves the Inwood community of Northern Manhattan, a one square mile urban area of more than 60,000 people, 75% of whom come from Hispanic immigrant working-class households. The coalition goals are to: 1) intervene with young children and pre-teen youth to prevent or delay first use of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco, by buffering against risk through increased protection factors; and 2) develop effective community responses to youth alcohol, tobacco, and drug use through the strengthening of collaboration within and the introduction of new members/ resources into the coalition. To achieve these goals, the coalition will implement the following strategies:
1) establish a volunteer driven "Trinity of Services" initiative where all coalition members have a role, multiple sectors are engaged, and resources are leveraged to address the gaps in services and the risk factors prevalent in target area;
2) document, support, and continue to enhance the effectiveness of the Life Skills Training« curriculum, a science-based model program conducted by Community School Region #10; and
3) refine the structure and roles within the coalition to the extent that all members have an identified role, the coalition remains a learning organization, and sufficient resources are leveraged to sustain the coalition and to support the community beyond the funding period.
CA/NCF