Health Department

Community Prevention Initiative for Children

The Governor's Community Prevention Initiative for Children (CPI) is a grant program funded by the Tennessee Department of Health and administered by the Metropolitan Health Department. The initiative has the following long-term goals:

· Reduce teen substance use/abuse
· Reduce teen pregnancy
· Reduce teen violence
· Reduce school drop-out rates
The program currently contracts with three local agencies to provide services for high risk children under age 13 and their families living in East Nashville. The specific services of the three agencies are described below.

The Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee

The Alcohol and Drug Council provides the following services paid through the CPI grant:

· Attendance incentives and tutoring sessions in two elementary schools.

· Elementary student assistance counselors in six schools to work with young children on managing anger and resolving conflict.

· Parenting programs in small group skill building sessions and a facilitator to assist the community in developing a support system and/or activities for children ages 4 - 12.

For more information about the programs provided by the Alcohol and Drug Council, call (615) 269-0029.

Kids on the Block

Kids on the Block uses the medium of puppetry to help students learn about alternatives to violence and substance use and abuse. The program titled "Choices, Control and Consequences" targets 4th and 5th grade students in 9 schools located in East Nashville. Choosing student leaders to use control signals within the classroom develops leadership skills and self-esteem. For more information about the services provided by Kids on the Block, call (615) 333-6356.

Dede Wallace Center

Dede Wallace Center provides prevention services for children and families of two elementary schools in East Nashville. The program entitled "Project Bounce" consists of the following services:

· "Winners Circle" is a support group for third, fourth, and fifth grade children from troubled homes -- particularly homes where there have been problems with substance abuse.

· "Win/Win" is a conflict resolution group for fifth and sixth grade students identified as disruptive and aggressive.

· "Choices" is a group for sixth grade students who are seeking to make positive changes in their lives.

· "Family Circle" is a parenting group that helps adults look at how they were parented, so they can make decisions about relating to their own children.

For more information about the services provided by the Dede Wallace Center, call (615) 460-4590.

For information on the Community Prevention Initiative in Nashville/Davidson County, call (615) 340-2147.