New justice grant available
The Bureau of Justice Assistance released the competitive grant announcement for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP). Local governments are eligible for funding and are encouraged to apply. The JMHCP seeks to increase public safety through innovative cross-system collaboration for individuals with mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with the justice system. The application deadline is April 8. For more information, click here.
Contact: Kati Guerra · 202.942.4279

Drug Free Communities Support Program announced
The Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Substance Abuse Prevention are accepting applications for the FY10 Drug Free Communities Support Program. The program establishes and strengthens collaboration to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Successful applicants will receive up to $125,000 per year over a five-year period. The application deadline is March 19. For a copy of the application, click here.
Contact: Kati Guerra · 202.942.4279

Program to boost financial literacy
NACo is supporting the efforts of the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Education to help high school students receive a financial education so they can take responsibility for their financial futures. Educators are being asked to get their students prepared and to sign up by March 14. For more information and to register, please visitwww.challenge.treas.gov.
Contact: Lisa Cole · 202.942.4270

Prescription Drug Discount Card helps individuals cut costs
With the economy recovering from recession and unemployment remaining high, Americans are looking to save money. You can help your residents by joining the nearly 1,300 counties participating in NACo’s Prescription Discount Card Program. The cards are free to member counties and their residents. More than $257 million has been saved by consumers in the past five years. The average savings per transaction is 24 percent. Click here for more information.
Contact: Andrew Goldschmidt · 202.942.4221