Greensburg — The Community Action Coalition will be accepting grant applications for the 2011 funding cycle.  The CAC funds individuals, groups and organizations working to help abolish local drug and alcohol problems.

In 1991, a state law was passed requiring all 92 counties in Indiana to have a Drug Free Community Fund to be overseen by a Local Coordinating Council (Decatur County Community Action Coalition).

The Drug Free Community Fund consists of court fees collected from people convicted of drug and alcohol crimes in Decatur County.  Seventy five percent of these fees are deposited into the local fund and twenty five percent are forwarded to the state.

As required by state law, the fund is overseen by a group of local people representing 14 different areas:  Labor, Religion, Law Enforcement, Medical, Business, Self Help, Local Government, Education, Judiciary, Civic Organization, Treatment, Youth, Parent and Other.

Grants are made available yearly to individuals, groups and organizations in Decatur County who work to address alcohol and other drug problems through four areas mandated by the state: education, prevention, treatment and criminal justice.  The Community Action Coalition recommends what proposals will be funded each year.  The recommendations are taken to the County Commissioners for final approval.

The work of the Community Action Coalition is carried out based on a Comprehensive Plan which is developed by the group.  The plan consists of what the group determines to be issues facing Decatur County regarding substance use/abuse. The plan is updated yearly with a revision every three years.  Plans are approved by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Those submitting an application will be asked to make a presentation to the CAC the evening of November 4, 2010 to be considered for funding.  Proposed programs that best fit the CACÕs county-wide goals will be selected for funding.  The CAC encourages new programs to apply.  Treatment programs and law enforcement/justice programs are underrepresented in Decatur County.  The funds granted must serve programs in Decatur County, and the state requires a balance between the four state-mandated focus areas.

The prerequisite for a program to be considered is that if fit criteria developed by the CAC throughout the years.  The program also needs to address one or more of the problem statements which are:  1. Alcohol is abused at a rate above the state average in Decatur County by means including but not limited to binge drinking; underage drinking; and hosting parties and/or supplying alcohol to underage drinkers.  2.  Decatur County has identified on-going substance abuse issues and related behaviors, as evidenced by an increase in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug abuse; a high state ranking for number of methamphetamine labs in the county; and an increase in the number of women using illegal substances during pregnancy.  3.  Family violence continues to escalate in Decatur County, with substance abuse as a contributing factor.

A grant application package can be obtained by calling the CAC office at 812-614-0613.  Electronic forms are also available by calling the above number.  Applications will be available starting September 2, 2010 and the deadline is October 15, 2010.  An informational meeting will be held at 1:15 p.m. on September 2, 2010 at the Decatur County Sheriff's Department gymnasium, and the grant application packages will also be available at that time.  RSVP's  for the informational meeting are required Ð please respond to the CAC Coordinator, Tina Hoeing.

As a reminder, the public is invited to attend the CAC monthly meetings held at noon the first Thursday of the month at the Sheriffs Department.  Any questions regarding the application process or the CAC can be answered by calling Tina Hoeing at 614-0613, or Bridgett Weber at 812-663-2570.