Drug Free Communities Support Program

Bensalem Township is the fiscal agent for the Building a Better Bensalem Today (B3T) Coalition. This suburban community has a population of 58,434, with 38.1 percent age 25 and younger. Ethnic minorities comprise 17.8 percent of this group, that is 9.9 percent more than in the total county population. B3T's goals are to: 1) utilize research-based prevention programs to reduce substance abuse by youth and, over time, adults; 2) ensure the continuation of B3T as a vital and effective force in preventing and reducing substance abuse; 3) strengthen and improve collaboration among communities in Bucks County, with federal, state, and local governments, and with private nonprofit agencies to support B3T's efforts; and 4) develop strategies for program sustainability.
To achieve these goals B3T will implement the following strategies:
1) maintain and expand a strong, inclusive, community-wide network to address the problems of youth;
2) provide support to existing efforts that enhance protective factors;
3) increase and maintain a cadre of trained, community-based volunteer program facilitators;
4) create ways to engage and to bond youth to their community;
5) provide opportunities to enhance skills and promote parent/child bonding;
6) assist children in learning skills to cope with and respond to living in a violent, substance involved home;
7) recognize efforts of those working to promote healthy lifestyles in families; and,
8) develop plans for financial sustainability so that evidence-based programming continues after the grant ends.
CA/NCF