Grant program

Drug Free Communities grant evaluation

What the Drug Free Communities Support Program funds, the core measures and reporting it requires, and how an evaluator helps coalitions plan, collect and report.

By Bonnie W. Smith, MPH, CPH, CPPReviewed by Keri Humphries, MAUpdated November 9, 2026

In short

The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program funds community coalitions working to prevent youth substance use, at up to $125,000 per year over a five year period. Coalitions must represent 12 community sectors and report core measures from youth surveys every two years, so local survey data and a clear evaluation plan sit at the center of a strong DFC grant.

Key takeaways

New DFC awards are up to $125,000 per 12 month budget period, over a five year period of performance.
Coalitions need members from each of 12 required community sectors.
Core measures come from a youth survey and are reported every two years.
Always check the current notice of funding opportunity, because details change between cycles.

What DFC funds

The Drug Free Communities Support Program, led by the Office of National Drug Control Policy with the CDC, gives community coalitions money to reduce youth substance use. Coalitions work across sectors, so the program asks for members from 12 parts of the community, such as youth, parents, schools, law enforcement, health care and faith groups.

What evaluation and reporting look like

DFC coalitions report on their activities and on core measures drawn from youth surveys. The national evaluation uses these measures to track change across funded communities. In practice, that means a coalition needs:

A youth survey that includes the core measure questions, given on a schedule that matches the reporting years
A clear plan linking coalition strategies to the outcomes the measures track
Progress reports completed on time, with data the coalition can explain

Where an evaluator helps

Before you apply: the statement of need, measurable objectives and an evaluation plan reviewers will trust.
During the grant: planning and running the youth survey, tracking activities and preparing core measure data for reports.
For the coalition: turning results into a short, clear story for members, schools and town leaders.

We have supported Drug Free Communities grantees in Connecticut with grant preparation, evaluation and technical assistance. See our portfolio for examples.

Frequently asked questions

Which survey questions provide the DFC core measures?

The core measures come from youth survey questions on substance use and attitudes. The Youth Voices Count Survey includes questions that provide them. Ask us for the details for your grant year.

How often are core measures reported?

Every two years, through the coalition's progress reports. Plan your youth survey schedule around those reporting years.

Do we need an outside evaluator for DFC?

Check the current notice of funding opportunity. Many coalitions work with an outside evaluator to plan measures, run the youth survey and prepare reports, because the coalition coordinator's time is already stretched.

Sources

Drug Free Communities Support Program, New (Year 1) funding opportunity, Grants.gov (opens in a new tab)
Drug Free Communities National Evaluation Report 2024, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2025) (opens in a new tab)
Agency information collection notice on DFC progress reports and core measures, Federal Register (April 23, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Drug Free Communities program overview, Office of National Drug Control Policy (archived) (opens in a new tab)