The Town of Hopkinton has been awarded a $625,000 federal grant from the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program for its local coalition, Hopkinton Organizing for Prevention (HOP).
The funding comes from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It will provide $125,000 each year for the next five years (Years 6–10) to support staffing and local programs that prevent youth substance use.
This funding follows the successful completion of Hopkinton’s first five-yeargrant cycle (Years 1–5), which started in September 2021. The new grant allows the town to continue its proven community plan to address and reduce underage drug and alcohol use.
The Town of Hopkinton’s Youth & Family Services (HYFS), led by Director Dawn Alcott-Miller, oversees grant administration. Erin Bartolini, DFC Program Coordinator, will continue to lead coalition work alongside Colleen Souza, HYFS Social Worker and HOP Youth Co-Coordinator. The HOP coalition, active for over 10 years, includes 12 community groups—including local schools, police, parents, youth, clergy, business and civic representatives, healthcare workers, and those with lived experience. Working collaboratively, the coalition delivers educational messaging and skill-building initiatives that promote wellness and empower positive choices, while actively reducing adolescent access to alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.
Over the next five years, the HOP coalition will use the funding to:
● Strengthen Community Partnerships: Build stronger local connections to encourage teamwork across town groups.
● Deliver Proven Programs: Expand prevention campaigns, support youth leadership programs, and host community events for students and parents.
● Reduce Access to Substances: Use community strategies to limit youth access to harmful substances in town.
To learn more about local prevention resources or get involved with the coalition, visit the official HOP Coalition Website or contact the coalition at ebartolini@hopkintonma.gov. HOP is seeking additional members in all sectors with specific needs in the parent, youth, & local business sectors.
About the DFC Support Program
The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 and is the nation’s leading effort to help communities prevent youth substance use. The program provides grants to community groups to improve collaboration and reduce substance use among young people.