Sponsors (3)
The bill provides predictable, multi-year federal funding and evaluation requirements to support community-based school drug-prevention programs, improving continuity and oversight, but limits individual grant size, allows administrative set-asides, restricts partner choice, and permits variable program quality that may blunt effectiveness.
Nonprofits, local governments, and participating schools gain predictable federal funding—$7 million per year (FY2026–2031)—which enables planning and sustained support for community drug-prevention coalitions.
Students in partner schools gain access to tailored drug-prevention programs financed by grants (up to $75,000 per year), expanding available prevention services at the local level.
Participating coalitions and schools can receive multi-year support (initial year plus up to three renewals), providing continuity that helps sustain prevention efforts over time.
Large school districts and comprehensive prevention initiatives may be underfunded because individual grants are capped at $75,000 per year, limiting the scale of services delivered.
Students and communities may receive uneven protection because program content is locally defined and can vary in evidence base and effectiveness across locations.
Nonprofits and local partners could be excluded from collaborating with a given school because only one eligible coalition may partner with each school, reducing local competition and options.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes ONDCP grants (up to $75,000/year) for Drug-Free Communities coalitions to form school partnerships for evidence-based drug prevention, with $7M/year authorized for FY2026–2031.
Official title: Authorize grants to implement school-community partnerships for preventing substance use and misuse among youth.
Introduced January 30, 2025 by Jeanne Shaheen · Last progress January 30, 2025
Creates a new ONDCP grant program that gives Drug-Free Communities coalitions funds to form school–community partnerships with local elementary, middle, or high schools to carry out evidence-based drug prevention programs. Grants are up to $75,000 per year (renewable for up to three additional years), require a school memorandum of understanding, must supplement other funds, and are subject to federal evaluation rules. Congress authorized $7 million per year for FY2026–2031, and the ONDCP Director may use up to 8% of appropriated funds for administration.