LUK, Inc.’s LCAT Awarded Federal Grant to Continue Youth Substance Use Prevention in Leominster
Leominster — LUK, Inc.’s Leominster Community Action Team (LCAT) has been selected as a recipient of a $625,000 federal grant, over 5 years, from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) under the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. This grant program, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), represents an opportunity to strengthen ongoing efforts in preventing youth substance use in our community.
“These funds allow us to run activities like Sticker Shock, Pre-Prom and TIPS trainings, which help educate community members and bring people together about the importance of drug-free living,” says LUK’s Prevention Coordinator and LCAT lead, Elizabeth Benard.
The group will be having an event on October 15th, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Leominster Library to answer questions and bring together community members interested in preventing underage drinking. LCAT will have a panel to discuss underage drinking, as well as resources and information for parents and guardians. Local parents are encouraged to stop by with questions or to learn more about prevention initiatives so that they can be prepared.
Coming together for community health
ONDCP’s DFC program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. The DFC program provides federal grants to community coalitions to identify and respond to the issues unique to their community and change community conditions tied to youth substance use. With this grant, LCAT will be able to continue building a safe, healthy and drug-free community. This includes running activities like Sticker Shock, which reminds liquor store customers about underage drinking laws. It also includes trainings like TIPS, which teach hospitality workers about underage drinking and over-serving. Because of these activities, LCAT can help prevent dangerous behavior.
“Primary prevention is one of the most effective investments we can make to protect America’s youth and strengthen our communities. Through the DFC Program, we are empowering local coalitions to stop youth drug use before it starts by supporting evidence-based prevention strategies that address each community’s unique needs. Together, we are helping communities make drug-free living the social norm – not the exception – and building a healthier, safer and stronger America for the next generation,” said Helen Hernandez, DFC & CARA Senior Policy Analyst. “Through the DFC program, CDC is empowering community coalitions to implement local solutions to unique, local conditions, with the common goal of preventing youth substance use,” added Grant Baldwin, Director of the Division of Overdose Prevention at CDC.
“LCAT is grateful for the support of and partnership with ONDCP and CDC,” said Cassie Foley, LUK’s Director of Community Engagement and Support Services. “We are proud to share this mission and effort to prevent youth substance use and protect the well-being of our community. This grant will also allow us to better collaborate with our partners, including Leominster Public Schools, the Leominster Liquor Compliance Commission, the City of Leominster, Recovery Centers of America and more. By focusing our collective expertise and resources on this critical issue, we will ensure a positive impact on our youth and community.”
About LCAT and DFC Funding
Community members interested in joining LCAT can fill out the interest form on the LUK Prevention website. The coalition meets the first Tuesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30 PM over Zoom.
More information about the DFC program can be found on the CDC’s website.
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education and support services.