Foster, Casten, Underwood Announce Grant Funding to Support Youth Substance Use Prevention in DuPage, Kane, Will, and McHenry Counties

Naperville, IL — Today, Congressman  Bill Foster (IL-11), Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program has awarded grant funding to organizations that provide youth substance use prevention programs in DuPage County, Will County, Kane County, and McHenry County. The grant funding includes a $42.5 million investment for FY2020 to youth substance prevention in communities across the country, including 360 Youth Services' Community Alliance for Prevention, McHenry County Regional Office of Education Substance Abuse Coalition, and the Will County Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention. The DFC Program is funded and administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, with grants management support provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Underwood supported the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations package, which included $101.3 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program, an increase of $1.3 million above FY 2019.

"One of the most important aspects of building strong, healthy communities is making sure that young people from all backgrounds have resources available to help them - especially when it comes to those struggling with substance use disorders," Foster said. "The coronavirus pandemic and resulting crisis have left people more isolated and have contributed to mental and behavioral health issues for many people. This grant will be put to good use by our communities and provide a helping hand to young people who need support."  

“As Illinois communities have struggled to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, new and worsened mental and behavioral health conditions have become an added challenge that 360 Youth Services, McHenry County Regional Office of Education, and the Will County Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention do so much good work to support. I’m pleased to see they have been selected to receive this critical federal investment to support their work helping youth in our community,” said Underwood.

“Organizations like 360 Youth Services, McHenry County Regional Office of Education, and the Will County Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention have always been crucial to our community, but right now they’re a lifeline. I recently visited 360 Youth Services, where I saw firsthand the great work they’re doing for our community and learned about their struggle to keep up with increased demand amid the pandemic and economic crisis. This federal funding will help ensure that they can continue to support young people struggling with mental health, trauma, and addiction,” said Casten.

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