The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded nearly $3.75 million to 12 organizations to support community-based programs that help prevent substance use among school-age children.
The funding will help the organizations implement prevention strategies for youth, including programs that expand access to positive extracurricular activities and strengthen youth knowledge, decision-making, coping skills and supportive connections. Prevention is a key part of the state’s plan to address substance use disorder, along with harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.
“Young people are more resilient when they have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and meaningful opportunities to build skills and confidence,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “These investments will help communities strengthen protective factors and support healthier outcomes for kids and families.”
Studies have shown that youth prevention programs help reduce the risk of substance-related harm by delaying first use and strengthening protective factors before patterns are established. Those who try an illegal drug before age 15 are 6.5 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who wait until age 21 or later. Additionally, in 2024, more than one in five publicly funded treatment admissions were for individuals who initiated drug use before age 17.
“Prevention is about giving young people tools and options before they ever face a crisis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Investing in programs like mentorship and skill-building can help to strengthen families and communities and reduce the risk of substance use.”
Programs supported through these grants include:
Family-strengthening supports and prevention education.
Youth skill-building programs focused on decision-making and coping skills.
Expanded access to structured out-of-school activities and evidence-based prevention programs.
Other community-based prevention supports designed to delay the initiation of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
Grant recipients include:
Arbor Circle
Muskegon, Newaygo
$199,174
Catholic Human Services Inc.
Alpena, Benzie, Cheboygan, Crawford, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Oscoda, Roscommon
$375,000
Child and Family Charities
Ingham
$232,925
Family Service & Children's Aid
Jackson
$370,822
Mariners Inn
Wayne and surrounding communities
$368,690
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Greater Detroit Area
Oakland, Wayne and surrounding communities
$374,999
Oakwood Healthcare Inc.
Wayne and surrounding communities
$168,236
Piast Institute
Wayne and surrounding communities
$125,000
Prevention Works
Kalamazoo
$375,000
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Schoolcraft
$375,000
The Youth Connection
Wayne
$375,000
Women of Colors
Saginaw
$375,000
These programs are being funded through opioid settlement dollars. The state is slated to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half distributed directly to county, city and township governments.
For more information about substance use disorder resources and the state’s opioid settlement investments, visit Michigan.gov/opioids.
The funding will help the organizations implement prevention strategies for youth, including programs that expand access to positive extracurricular activities and strengthen youth knowledge, decision-making, coping skills and supportive connections. Prevention is a key part of the state’s plan to address substance use disorder, along with harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.
“Young people are more resilient when they have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and meaningful opportunities to build skills and confidence,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “These investments will help communities strengthen protective factors and support healthier outcomes for kids and families.”
Studies have shown that youth prevention programs help reduce the risk of substance-related harm by delaying first use and strengthening protective factors before patterns are established. Those who try an illegal drug before age 15 are 6.5 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who wait until age 21 or later. Additionally, in 2024, more than one in five publicly funded treatment admissions were for individuals who initiated drug use before age 17.
“Prevention is about giving young people tools and options before they ever face a crisis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Investing in programs like mentorship and skill-building can help to strengthen families and communities and reduce the risk of substance use.”
Programs supported through these grants include:
Family-strengthening supports and prevention education.
Youth skill-building programs focused on decision-making and coping skills.
Expanded access to structured out-of-school activities and evidence-based prevention programs.
Other community-based prevention supports designed to delay the initiation of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
Grant recipients include:
Arbor Circle
Muskegon, Newaygo
$199,174
Catholic Human Services Inc.
Alpena, Benzie, Cheboygan, Crawford, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Oscoda, Roscommon
$375,000
Child and Family Charities
Ingham
$232,925
Family Service & Children's Aid
Jackson
$370,822
Mariners Inn
Wayne and surrounding communities
$368,690
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Greater Detroit Area
Oakland, Wayne and surrounding communities
$374,999
Oakwood Healthcare Inc.
Wayne and surrounding communities
$168,236
Piast Institute
Wayne and surrounding communities
$125,000
Prevention Works
Kalamazoo
$375,000
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Schoolcraft
$375,000
The Youth Connection
Wayne
$375,000
Women of Colors
Saginaw
$375,000
These programs are being funded through opioid settlement dollars. The state is slated to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half distributed directly to county, city and township governments.
For more information about substance use disorder resources and the state’s opioid settlement investments, visit Michigan.gov/opioids.
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