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KDADS Awards Grants to Six Organizations to Combat Youth Substance Abuse in Kansas

Post Date:10/27/2025 10:20 AM

For Immediate Release

October 27, 2025

For more information, contact:
Cara Sloan-Ramos, Communications Director

TOPEKA – Secretary Laura Howard today announced that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has selected six subrecipient awardees for the Kansas Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success for States (KS SPF-PFS) Grant, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The total funding awarded for Fiscal Year 2026 is approximately $510,000.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with these subrecipients. Their collaboration and dedication are vital to the goals of the KS SPF-PFS initiative,” KDADS Prevention Programs Manager Stephanie Rhinehart said. “By working together, Kansas remains committed to implementing effective substance use prevention strategies that strengthen infrastructure and build local community capacity. We are excited to witness the positive change this advancement will bring to our state.” 

The KS SPF-PFS program aims to reduce the onset and progression of substance use, primarily alcohol and marijuana, among youth and young adults aged 12-20. A core component of the initiative is linking these substance abuse prevention efforts with comprehensive programs that enhance mental health and wellness and promote family and community connection within the target areas. The grant focuses on eight Kansas counties: Finney, Ford, Geary, Grant, Harvey, Reno, Seward, and Wyandotte. 

KDADS selected the following organizations to receive one year of funding to implement evidence-based substance use prevention strategies locally: 

  • University of Kansas, Center for Research Inc. Life Span Institute (Community Organization)
  • Livewell Finney County Health Coalition (Community Organization)
  • Mirror, Inc. (Community Organization)
  • Prime Fit Youth Foundation (Community Organization)
  • Rise-up Reno Prevention Network (Youth & Young Adult and Community Organization)
  • Shaw Enterprise, LLC (Community Organization)

KDADS expects to award up to 16 grants annually, with a focus on both community organizations and youth-led groups, to build local infrastructure and capacity.

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