Emily’s Hope Youth Substance Prevention Coalition

Emily’s Hope is proud to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program to establish the Emily’s Hope Youth Substance Prevention Coalition. This vital funding, amounting to $125,000 per year over the next five years, will support Emily’s Hope in leading a comprehensive community effort to prevent substance use among youth in Sioux Falls.

The DFC Support Program, created in 1997, is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. By requiring the involvement of twelve key community sectors—including youth, parents, businesses, media, schools, and law enforcement—the program ensures a holistic approach to addressing the local challenges of substance use. Emily’s Hope will leverage this structure to create a safer and healthier environment for Sioux Falls’ youth.

Angela Kennecke, CEO and Founder of Emily’s Hope, expressed her gratitude for the support and the opportunity to lead such an impactful initiative. “This funding allows us to build on our existing efforts to educate and protect our youth from the dangers of substance use. The coalition will bring together diverse voices from across our community to create sustainable, evidence-based solutions that not only prevent substance use but also empower our youth to make healthy choices.”

The coalition aligns seamlessly with Emily’s Hope’s core mission of prevention. Since its inception, Emily’s Hope has been dedicated to reducing the stigma of substance use disorder through education, awareness, and prevention efforts. The organization has already made significant strides in this area, having developed a comprehensive K-12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum that is currently being implemented in schools across multiple states. This curriculum forms the educational backbone of our prevention strategy, providing students with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed, healthy decisions.

The coalition, under the leadership of Emily’s Hope, will address the rising challenges of substance misuse in Sioux Falls, focusing on a wide range of substances including alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, nicotine, and prescription drugs, particularly opioids. Recent data highlights the urgent need for these efforts, with Sioux Falls experiencing a significant increase in methamphetamine availability and youth substance use rates that exceed national averages in certain categories.

Emily’s Hope Youth Substance Prevention Coalition’s strategies include a diverse set of activities designed to provide information, build skills, offer support, enhance access to resources, and change both community environments and policies. Key initiatives will include public service announcements, peer mentorship programs, digital literacy campaigns, and the development of a resource directory and mobile app to connect youth and families with essential services.

“This new funding supports the President’s Unity Agenda call to beat the overdose epidemic by providing community coalitions in red states, blue states, and everywhere in between with the tools and resources they need to strengthen evidence-based prevention and reduce youth substance use at the local level,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The coalition is composed of dedicated community members and experts, including representatives from local schools, healthcare, law enforcement, media, and youth organizations. This diverse coalition ensures that every aspect of the community is engaged in the fight against youth substance use.

Emily’s Hope Coalition Members: 

• Remington Reilly/West Central Middle Schooler
• Cindy Reilly/Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Emily’s Hope Volunteer and Parent
• Karen Dumdie/Business Leader-Autoland
• Anna Peters Kruse/KELOLAND Media Group Executive Producer
• Dr. Tracy Vik/Sioux Falls Public Schools
• Paula Clary/Community Learning Centers of Sioux Falls
• Chris Matson/Church on the Street
• John Estep/Sioux Falls Police
• Dr. Paul Amundson/Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary
• Dr. Shannon Emry/Pediatrician, Midwest Street Medicine
• Nikki Schoffelman/Urban Indian Health
• Diane Eide/South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care

“The strength of the coalition lies in its members,” said Kennecke. “We are uniting professionals and passionate individuals from all walks of life to work together for the common goal of protecting our youth. This collaborative approach is crucial to achieving the long-term reductions in substance use that our community desperately needs.”

Emily’s Hope has a proven track record of success in substance use prevention, education, and recovery support. The organization’s initiatives, such as its K-12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum and Post-Overdose Response Team, have already made significant impacts in the region. The coalition will build on these foundations, ensuring that Sioux Falls becomes a model for other communities striving to reduce youth substance use.

The implementation of the coalition will begin immediately, with a focus on hiring a Program Director, developing outreach materials, and launching initial community engagement activities. The coalition will also participate in the DFC’s National Coalition Academy, ensuring that all efforts are aligned with best practices and the latest research in substance use prevention.