New Funding Will Expand Prevention Programs Offered by InnerAct Alliance

NEW FUNDING WILL EXPAND PREVENTION PROGRAMS

OFFERED BY INNERACT ALLIANCE

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have received grant funding that will allow the agency to provide expanded and innovative substance abuse prevention services for students and communities in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

New programming will offer instruction to maximize drug literacy and promote social emotional growth in today's children. One program is targeted to middle and high school and offers an eye-catching campaign of marketing approaches that will shift perception regarding gateway substance abuse. There are also substance abuse prevention courses that can educate the students on critical knowledge and resistance skills needed to thrive in a world where alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are offered to most kids by age 12. Another program is targeted to elementary school and focuses on social emotional learning which encourages students to communicate in a positive way and treat humans and animals with fairness, tolerance, and kindness. Lessons will be taught by a humane educator trained to provide the most effective approaches to prevent substance abuse and bullying as well as promote empathy and critical thinking to help youth succeed in all aspects of life. Parents are invited to participate in learning activities by discussing topics covered in the lessons with their children that may lead to enjoyable and enriching conversations at home.

Grant funding will help expand efforts to reinforce positive messaging that most students are not involved in risky behaviors. Lessons focused on social norms data encourage young people to rethink their position and change perception about use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Knowing the Facts can help youth avoid succumbing to peer pressure because they feel confident in making more informed personal decisions after learning the reality that most teens are making the right choices by choosing not to drink, smoke, or use substances. 

“InnerAct Alliance is extremely grateful for additional funding to educate about risk factors that face our community in the wake of the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, but it comes with a catch…” said Angie Ellison, InnerAct Alliance executive director. “In order for our agency to retain this funding, we must match funds through monetary donations and in-kind services that total nearly $400,000. Individual and community donations will go a long way to help our kids!”

Community engagement & support are vital to continue our agency’s funding! The community can support the prevention efforts of InnerAct Alliance by visiting https://donorbox.org/giving-tuesday-fundraiser-1. Every dollar donated is matched by $4.00 so your donation can provide more children, teens, parents, and families with the tools to be successful in life that will lead to a brighter future for our entire community.

InnerAct Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and licensed provider for substance abuse prevention in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. Staff education specialists provide evidence-based substance abuse and bullying prevention for nearly 15,000 students in 70 elementary, middle, and high schools each year through highly effective programs such as Too Good for Drugs, Too Good for Violence, Keep a Clear Mind, Project ALERT, PAX Game, and Life Skills.