Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Awards Nearly $2.3 Million in Grants to Reduce Underage and Dangerous Drinking
Jun 11, 2015, 10:15 ET
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Committed to providing financial support to address underage and irresponsible alcohol consumption, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today announced it will award almost $2.3 million to 65 municipalities, community groups, schools, colleges and universities and law enforcement agencies through the 2015-17 Alcohol Education Grant Program.
"We are very pleased to be able to provide this financial support to law enforcement and community- and school-based programs that combat underage and dangerous drinking. We know these grants will make a difference in people's lives," said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden.
Sixty-five applicants from 31 counties across Pennsylvania were awarded a total of $2,274,291 in grants, which will help fund prevention programs focused on underage and college-age alcohol consumption and support related law-enforcement activities. The maximum award for the two-year grant is $40,000.
"These grants are highly competitive and have rigorous standards recipients must meet to qualify," said PLCB Member Joseph E. "Skip" Brion. "This year, we received 103 applications from organizations in 38 counties. When we approve the successful applications, we do so knowing these are evidence-informed programs that will successfully addresses alcohol-related issues."
"Preventing underage and irresponsible drinking is an important part of our mission and we take it very seriously. This grant program is just one of the ways we show our commitment," said PLCB Member Mike Negra. "Since its inception, we've awarded more than $12 million to colleges, municipalities and law enforcement organizations throughout the commonwealth."
Of the grants awarded:
- 24 will fund community law-enforcement efforts for targeted underage patrols, training, and equipment.
- 14 will be used to support communities and nonprofit organizations by funding initiatives such as Project Alert, MADD's Power of Parents®, Parents Who Host, Lose the Most ®, Project Sticker Shock, and the Alcohol Literacy Challenge™.
- Three will go to school districts to fund various programs aimed at reaching all students from kindergarten to 12th grade through peer education, life skills training, social norms campaigns, and the formation of a SADD™ chapter.
- 24 college and university grants will help schools develop strategies to reduce underage and dangerous alcohol use including enforcement efforts, social norms campaigns, online alcohol education/assessments, peer educators, and Operation Buzzkill.
To see the list of recipients, click here.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board works to educate the public on the dangers of underage and dangerous drinking through a variety of avenues including a poster contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a free annual alcohol educational conference, the creation and distribution of a wide range of educational materials, and training and technical assistance for organizations working to address the issues of related to irresponsible consumption.
In addition, the PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide. Taxes and store profits are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund. For more information about the Liquor Control Board, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.
MEDIA CONTACT: Stacy Kriedeman, 717.783.8864
SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board