Trinity Health Ann Arbor Receives $307,287 Grant to Expand Youth Substance Use Prevention Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Von Lozon
Pager: (248) 725-2400
von.lozon@trinity-health.org
 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Jan. 14, 2024) – Trinity Health Ann Arbor has received $307,287 in grant funding from the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan to implement Project SUCCESS in Ann Arbor Public Schools and to continue providing the program to Lincoln Consolidated Schools.

This evidence-based program provides substance use prevention education to youth within schools, in accordance with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework, the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health across the country. 

Using grant dollars, the hospital employs Project SUCCESS Counselors in identified schools within the two districts. The counselors conduct screenings, brief interventions and, if needed, referrals to treatment for substance use. They also provide individual and group counseling to vulnerable students, and prevention education in classrooms for all students. The counselors work closely with school staff, providing training and consultation on prevention issues and policies of the school.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with our local school districts and broaden the impact of the Project SUCCESS program across Washtenaw County,” said Shekinah Singletery, director of Community Health and Well-Being at Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Trinity Health Livingston. “We know this program is successful at preventing substance use among youth and in connecting people to appropriate care and resources.”

The 2022 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey revealed that a higher percentage of Washtenaw County high school students who engage in binge drinking or marijuana use tend to receive failing grades, with 18.2% and 23.8%, respectively, compared to only 5.1% and 6% of those who maintain passing grades. This underscores the importance of implementing preventative strategies to help students avoid substance use and support academic success.

Trinity Health Michigan has a proven track record of partnering with school districts to prevent substance use. In addition to Lincoln Consolidated Schools, Trinity Health Ann Arbor’s sister hospital, Chelsea Hospital, successfully deployed Project SUCCESS within Chelsea School District and Manchester Community Schools. Both Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Chelsea Hospital have identified mental health (including substance use disorder) as a top priority need through the Community Health Needs Assessment process.