Children’s Aid Awarded Grant for College Addiction Prevention in Bergen County
October 8, 2024 – (Paramus, NJ) Children’s Aid and Family Services has announced it was awarded a five-year grant for $375,000 annually from the Substance Abuse Addiction Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding will support the establishment of the Bergen County Higher Education Addiction Prevention Consortium (BC HEAP Consortium) in collaboration with all five higher education institutions in Bergen County: Bergen Community College, Eastwick College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Felician University and Ramapo College. The consortium will develop comprehensive substance misuse prevention and mental health wellness strategies tailored to students aged 17-25 enrolled in these institutions.
Led by Children’s Aid and Family Services, the BC HEAP Consortium has three primary goals: to increase collaboration among the five Bergen County higher education institutions to address substance use and misuse among students, to work to decrease it, and to connect students to resources in the community that support mental wellness and recovery.
Drug use and misuse among college-age students is a recognized problem in the United States, affecting their well-being and academic performance. According to the 2022 “National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health,” the highest percentage of people with substance use disorders is among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Additionally, binge drinking, illicit drug use, marijuana use, and misuse of opioids are highest among individuals in this age demographic. These behaviors can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including academic difficulties, physical and mental health issues, overdoses, and possibly even death.
“This funding will significantly strengthen and build upon Children’s Aid and Family Services existing prevention work throughout Bergen County,” says Shavonda E. Sumter, President and CEO. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to work closely with our partner institutions to create a culture of wellness and safety for all students.”
For additional information, please contact Ellen Elias at 201-740-7112.
About Children’s Aid and Family Services
Children’s Aid and Family Services is a leading nonprofit human services organization serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for 125 years. Its mission is to strengthen families and empower individuals – children and adults alike – to reach their fullest potential. The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, a program of Children’s Aid and Family Services, provides community and school-based substance misuse prevention, education programs, and peer recovery support services. For more information, please call 201-261-2800 or visit www.tcadr.org.
# # #
More information:
Sheila Riccardi
201-740-7108