National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute (NCI)

Adolescence is a critical risk period for substance use initiation and adverse outcomes related to substance use, particularly as drug use has been found to escalate between ages 12 and 19. The goal of substance use prevention efforts is to prevent and/or delay the first use of substances. Research shows that early age of onset is an important predictor for the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Further, research shows that prevention interventions can have positive long-term effects in reducing substance use. Recognizing that preventing or delaying initiation of substance use can confer important health and social benefits, the purpose of the NCI is to serve as the training and technical assistance partner for DFC and non-DFC funded community coalitions across the country by enhancing the capacity of the prevention workforce and others in the prevention community to implement evidence-based interventions. The award will support the primary goals of the NCI, which are to: 1) increase the percentage of community coalitions across the United States that are effective in their work; and 2) strengthen technical assistance and training to community coalitions throughout the United States and territories. Applicants shall propose local, regional, and national implementation of the NCI Program while reducing burden on DFC and non-DFC funded coalitions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with other NFEs to effectuate the NCI Program. Partners must be external to the applicant organization and their specific role(s) must be delineated within the project and budget narratives.