Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition earns $125,000 in federal funding

The Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition has received a $125,000 grant to help address youth substance abuse and the nation’s overdose epidemic.

The grant, awarded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, was announced Wednesday by U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-Fourth District). The program provides grants to community-based coalitions that work to implement evidence-based prevention locally.

“We must do more to address our nation’s overdose epidemic and provide our youth with the resources they need to prevent substance use,” said McClellan. “As a mother to two children, I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for their ongoing efforts to address these crises and welcome today’s funding announcement. Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition does invaluable work to prevent youth substance use in Virginia’s Fourth. I will continue working at the federal level to combat the overdose epidemic and protect our children.”

The DFC Program was created in 1997 and is considered the nation’s leading effort to prevent youth substance abuse.