Economy puts grant in jeopardy
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
The Fauquier Community Alliance for Drug Rehabilitation and Education [CADRE] has once again received federal grant funding, getting $80,600 from the Drug Free Communities Support Program.Maybe.
In order to get the funding, CADRE also has to come up with matching or "in-kind" contributions.
With the state of the economy, that's been a challenge, according to Executive Director Tom Harris. For one thing, he said there are so many worthwhile organizations in the area vying for money that private donations are "non-existent" now.
"We're trying to get a fund-raising plan together to figure out how to match the [federal] money," Harris said. "It will be difficult."
CADRE is a group of concerned businessmen, law enforcement officials, educators and others working to prevent the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by Fauquier County youth.
Harris said the federal grant money will be used to fund his salary, the organization's Leadership and Resiliency Program, public-awareness campaigns, youth activities and scholarships.
It also allows CADRE to sponsor alcohol-free activities in the community, such as First Night and after-prom parties.
"We've received this grant for several years. There are two cycles of five years each. This is our last year to be eligible," Harris said.
The grant is also contingent on the organization's ability to show that its programs are having an impact in the community, Harris said.
CADRE does so by conducting a Pride Survey, for sixth through 12th grade students in the county's public schools.
The most recent survey showed that use of so-called "gateway drugs" in the high schools has declined, Harris said.
In addition to federal grants, the organization gets money from the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation. Harris said CADRE has gotten approximately $63,000 from the foundation over the past four years.
"We use that for our prevention specialist and for our after-school and private school programs," Harris said.
The Town of Warrenton and Fauquier County also provide some funding.
This year, the Warrenton Town Council approved a "slight increase" in funding for the organization. The county's contribution for FY 2009 is $7,000.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com