Substance use disorder is a treatable disease that affects both the brain and behavior, yet adolescent substance use remains a significant and often undertreated public health concern in the U.S. The pandemic intensified many existing risk factors, such as early life stress, social isolation, lack of school connection, and boredom.
The Children’s Foundation is committed to both immediate and long-term solutions –supporting prevention and recovery efforts while working to reduce stigma and promote lasting change for youth affected by substance use disorders.
number kids in Michigan aged 12 to 17 reported having a substance use disorder within the past year
(MHA, 2023).
cost of out-patient rehab for a 3-month program
(NCDAS, 2023).
Michigan’s rank in the nation with 4 million people living in communities with a shortage of mental health professionals
(NAMI, 2023).
Substance use disorder is a treatable disease that affects both the brain and behavior, yet adolescent substance use remains a significant and often undertreated public health concern in the U.S. The intensified many existing risk factors, such as early life stress, social isolation, lack of school connection, and boredom.
The Children’s Foundation is committed to both immediate and long-term solutions –supporting prevention and recovery efforts while working to reduce stigma and promote lasting change for youth affected by substance use disorders.
The Community Health Awareness Group (CHAG) is addressing the rise in youth drug overdoses with Project YOUR (Youth Overdose Understanding Risks), a youth-led initiative funded by a $25,000 grant from the Children’s Foundation. The program trains peer ambassadors to educate teens on overdose prevention and the dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs, aiming to reduce overdose rates in Detroit and Wayne County.
In collaboration with the Jamie Daniels Foundation, a fund at the Children’s Foundation, we partner with 10 colleges and universities to support Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs), reaching over a third of the state’s college students. These programs create inclusive, substance-free communities where students have access to therapy, peer support, and sober activities.
OUR MISSION
The Children’s Foundation is a catalyst for change, partnering with the community to advance solutions and discoveries that improve the physical and mental health of children in Michigan.
