Metro Drug Coalition

Vulnerable youth experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are struggling due to the lasting effects of childhood trauma. As a result, negative daily health choices can lead to behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, unhealthy nutrition, smoking, and vaping. These unhealthy coping mechanisms can ultimately lead to substance misuse. Children need to know that they did not cause the trauma, have a safe space with peers to learn and share as they express their feelings, develop coping skills, and understand their self-worth. The goal is to encourage daily healthy choices and improve the children’s physical, mental and spiritual health. The target population is Knox County, children ages 9 to 12 who have a parent or guardian in recovery or a parent who died from a substance abuse disorder (SUD).

Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) will validate the need through interviews with community partners and youth program providers’ input and conduct a small-scale youth survey. Once the need is validated, a site visit team will identify and visit three successful Children’s Groups implementing known best practices.