HHS Announces Supplemental Funding Awards for Faith-Based Prevention in Alabama, Kansas, and West Virginia

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), today announced supplemental funding to three states — Alabama, Kansas, and West Virginia — to strengthen the role of faith-based organizations and leaders in substance use prevention as part of their Strategic Prevention Framework–Partnerships for Success grants. This announcement was made during an event held with HHS and state leadership with community partners.

“Every child deserves the chance to grow up free from addiction,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Prevention begins with strong families, strong communities, and a sense of purpose. Faith leaders are uniquely positioned to reach young people at a critical point in their lives, and President Trump’s Great American Recovery is putting resources behind these trusted community leaders to help prevent addiction before it begins.”

Under the supplemental funding, each state is receiving an additional $500,000 under the Partnerships for Success grant program. In Kansas and West Virginia, the states are using the supplemental funding to work with faith communities to build new partnerships, conduct needs assessments, and co-develop prevention strategic plans with faith leaders all while engaging youth in the process from day one. In Alabama, the new funding will support regional needs assessments to explore how faith-based prevention shapes youth attitudes, identify where additional resources are needed, and enable Alabama’s certified Faith-Based Support Specialists to reach a new population, youth ages 12 to 17, and create opportunities for young people to connect with faith-based and community leaders.

Today’s announcement supports President Trump’s Great American Recovery, which is co-chaired by Secretary Kennedy and White House Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery Kathryn Burgum, and aligns with the President’s Executive Order on Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.

“The Great American Recovery starts in our communities, where connection, purpose, and hope can change the course of a person’s life,” said White House Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery and Co-Chair of the Great American Recovery Kathryn Burgum. “This funding recognizes the powerful role faith communities can play in creating a culture where young people feel supported, find a sense of belonging, and are empowered to make healthy choices. By investing in prevention at the community level, we are helping build a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

“Faith communities have been doing this work for generations — walking alongside families, mentoring young people, helping people find purpose, and responding when their neighbors are struggling,” said Dr. Monty Burks, Director of the HHS Center for Faith. “Our job is not to replace that work, but to equip it. By connecting faith leaders with training, resources, and state prevention partners, we can build on what is already working in communities and help local leaders reach even more people.”

“Effective prevention starts with understanding what young people are facing and building strategies around the needs of their communities,” said SAMHSA Chief of Staff Dr. Timothy Westlake. “This funding will help Alabama, Kansas, and West Virginia build stronger partnerships with faith communities and give local leaders the tools and connections they need to support effective prevention efforts. Prevention works best when it is rooted in communities and supported by people they know and trust.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To locate a treatment facility or provider, visit FindTreatment.gov.

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