PENDER COUNTY, NC - Pender County Schools has been awarded a significant grant from the Pender County Health Department to address opioid misuse and provide early intervention training and skill-building across multiple stakeholder groups within the district.
The grant, totaling $37,200 over three years with funding provided annually, aims to combat the opioid crisis through proactive education and support initiatives. Partnering with Coastal Horizons, The Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education, and Communities in Schools of the Cape Fear, Pender County Schools plans to implement a comprehensive program starting in the Fall of 2024 and continuing throughout the duration of the grant.
The initiative encompasses training and support for three key groups:
High School and Middle School Staff Training: Coastal Horizons will provide training to all middle school and high school staff members, as well as Communities in Schools staff. This training will cover signs and symptoms of drug misuse, trends in drug misuse, and available resources for schools and families. Scheduled to commence in August 2024 and conclude in October 2024, this training will be refreshed annually and extended to new staff members each year.
Middle School and High School Families: The Poe Center will conduct training sessions for families, focusing on three crucial areas of understanding and prevention: Adolescent Brain Development and Addiction, Drugs Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know, and Choices and Consequences: Family Edition. These sessions will be offered twice each semester, with programs held on both the east and west sides of the district. To encourage attendance, a small meal and childcare services will be provided, along with additional resources from Coastal Horizons and The Poe Center, including prescription drug lockboxes.
Middle School Students: Collaborating with Coastal Horizons and Communities in Schools, Pender County Schools will deliver the Catch My Breath Anti-Vaping Curriculum to all middle school students. This comprehensive program will equip students with the knowledge and skills to resist vaping and make healthy choices. School nurses and Communities in Schools staff will undergo training to facilitate the curriculum, with plans to reach all students during the first semester.
"We are deeply committed to addressing the challenges posed by opioid misuse and substance abuse within our school community," said Leanne Radabaugh, Director of Student Services of Pender County Schools. "Through this grant-funded initiative, we aim to empower our staff, engage our families, and educate our students on the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of making healthy choices."
The grant represents a significant step forward in Pender County Schools' ongoing efforts to promote wellness and resilience among its students and families. By partnering with local organizations and leveraging community resources, the district seeks to create a safer and healthier environment for all.