Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Downers Grove Township•••••All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Downers Grove Township•••••All Rights Reserved
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES GRANT
For over twelve years the Township of Downers Grove has been administering a block grant received from the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) for prevention services. For almost 7 of those years, one full-time employee has worked in partnership with local middle and high schools, police departments and other agencies to provide drug prevention education and life skills to youth ranging in age from 10-17 throughout the Township.
In late 2002, additional funding was applied for and granted allowing for another full-time employee to be hired on the grant. This employee began in September, 2003 to work specifically with an underserved portion of the township in the southeast corner of Dupage County.
Township personnel in collaboration and coordination with schools, local police and various community agencies and organizations, work to deliver the following programs and activities:
- Snowballs - High school level retreats that focus on helping teens develop a healthy lifestyle.
- Dare Lock-ins - Culminating event to the DARE program with teen-led activities and groups (overseen by adult facilitators)
- Illinois Teen Institute (ITI) - Five day leadership camp where high school students travel with Township personnel to gain knowledge and skills in drug prevention so they can implement community based plans they devise while at the camp. Scholarships are available through the Township based on recommendation or need.
- ITI Community Action Team - Students who have attended ITI with the township are required to meet routinely to plan and implement their action plans devised at the camp. This can be at their school or in their community and utilize the knowledge and skills they have learned and practiced at ITI.
- Westview Hills Peer-led Prevention Education Life Skills Program - A year long life skills program is taught at a local middle school by teens trained in prevention education.
- Intergenerational Dance - local teens plan, organize and host a dance with residents at the Fairview Baptist Home to foster intergenerational relationships.
- Coalition Consultation & Related Activities-Collaboration & statistical collection with local agencies.
- Too Good for Drugs - Drug prevention education model program taught at the middle school level.
- Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) - peer-led adult-coordinated program for youth leaders to assist other youth at risk.
- Communication Campaigns - Drug prevention messages targeting parents and youth in our community.
- Funded by the Illinois Department of Human Service.