Two federal agencies and a private foundation have awarded $4.1 million to three communities to create or develop juvenile drug courts using the Reclaiming Futures model to serve youth struggling with alcohol, drugs, and crime.

Each of the partners funds a different part of the initiative. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will fund treatment; the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will support juvenile drug court operations; and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is underwriting technical assistance to help communities implement the Reclaiming Futures model.

“The Reclaiming Futures model provides an effective and coordinated approach to prevention and intervention,” said Jeff Slowikowski, acting administrator of OJJDP, in a Dec. 14 press release. “By partnering with CSAT and RWJF we can offer expanded opportunities for youth to break the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime.”

The three communities receiving awards include Hardin County, OH; Snohomish County, WA; and Travis County, TX. This is the third time the awards have been made; past awards were made to three communities in 2007 and another three in 2009.