Drug Free Communities Support Program
The Coalition for Justice Engaged Students Colorado (C-JESCO) was created to support and improve behavioral health and educational outcomes for justice-engaged and adjudicated (JEA) young people as well as those at risk of justice involvement.
Colorado nonprofit Generation Schools Network (GSN) currently facilitates this coalition focused on improving behavioral health and reducing substance use among JEA young people. GSN was selected as a DFC grant award recipient in 2024.
The Challenge
Substance misuse and addiction present as a growing intersectionality for the youth justice population nationally (NIDA, 2020). Young people committed to Division of Youth Services are screened for behavioral health needs. In fiscal year 2022:
A Community- Wide Approach
The establishment of a cohesive multi-sectoral community coalition can facilitate the effective implementation of evidence-based and practice-based youth substance use prevention strategies.
Drug Free Coalitions (DFC) include 12 required sectors that work together to meet the local prevention needs of the youth and families by reducing risk factors, and increasing protective factors within their community.
The DFC program goals are to:
1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and Federal, state, local and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.
2. Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance use among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase risk for substance use and promoting factors that minimize risk for substance use.
Get Involved
We need your support! For questions or to get involved with the Coalition, please contact:
Steve Martinez
Area Manager, Prevention Services
Email: smartinez@generationschools.org
Phone: (505) 629-8125