Florida Atlantic University Receives $3 Million Grant for Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative

Strategic Insights -

Florida Atlantic University has received a transformative $3 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to lead an initiative designed to prevent substance use among South Florida's youth. The Rising Strong program will implement evidence-based prevention strategies to reach over 3,000 youth across Palm Beach and Broward counties over the next five years. Spearheaded by Maria Carmenza Mejia, the initiative targets youth at risk, including those transitioning out of foster care, experiencing housing instability, and survivors of human trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rising Strong initiative will serve over 3,000 youth across Palm Beach and Broward counties over the next five years.
  • The program targets youth at risk, including those transitioning out of foster care, experiencing housing instability, and survivors of human trafficking.
  • The initiative will implement evidence-based prevention strategies, including LifeSkills Training, mindfulness and emotional regulation programming, peer mentorship, and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment).
  • The program will be delivered through schools, community centers, and existing behavioral health networks.
  • At least 30 professionals will be trained in trauma-informed and culturally responsive prevention strategies within the first six months of the program.
  • Over five years, the program will train 150 professionals and directly serve 600 youth annually.
  • The initiative aims to drive long-term systems change by convening a multi-sector prevention coalition and conducting a comprehensive regional needs assessment.
  • The program will continue through September 29, 2030.

Statistics:

  • $3 million: The amount of the grant received by Florida Atlantic University from SAMHSA.
  • 3,000: The number of youth the Rising Strong program aims to serve over the next five years.
  • 30: The number of professionals to be trained in trauma-informed and culturally responsive prevention strategies within the first six months of the program.
  • 150: The number of professionals to be trained over the five-year period.
  • 600: The number of youth to be directly served annually.
  • 5 years: The duration of the Rising Strong initiative.

Sources:

  • NewsRx, Florida Atlantic University Receives $3 Million Grant for Youth Substance Use Prevention Initiative (2025 Oct 27)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA Funding Opportunity Announcement (2023, exact date not specified)
  • FAU News, Rising Strong: Empowering Youth for Substance-Free Futures (2022, exact date not specified)