The S2AY Selected as a Finalist for Grant

The Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and the Steuben County Task Force on Underage Drinking have been selected as finalists for a national grant competition sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sponsored by the S2AY Rural Health Network, these multi-disciplinary groups were formed to address the problems associated with underage drinking, and focus on educating parents regarding the consequences of underage drinking and restricting access to alcohol by minors.According to S2AY Network Coordinator Andrea Haradon, “Two grants will be awarded in the entire country, and we have been notified that we are in the top four. Thanks to the hard work and cooperation on the part of Public Health, the District Attorneys, law enforcement, the schools, the local media, the alcoholism councils and many community agencies, we stand an excellent chance of bringing more resources to bear on what is a critical problem in our region and in our country.”The grant would provide funds to conduct an educational/marketing component that helps people to understand that many teens avoid alcohol, and that many parents are vigilant about restricting their children’s access to alcohol, coupled with waves of high visibility enforcement campaigns by local law enforcement. A final decision on the grant award is expected by early fall. The S2AY Rural Health Network is a non-profit organization comprised of the Public Health Departments in Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Ontario, Wayne and Yates Counties and funded by the Charles D. Cook NYS Department of Health, Office of Rural Health. For more information or to become a part of one of the task forces, contact Dawn Bush, Grants Officer at 607.962.8459.