From left, Kaitlin Deschaine, MMACF Program & Operations Director; Karianne Lesperance, executive director for ISD Prevention Services; and Ashley Berken, MMACF executive director.

MENOMINEE — The Menominee County ISD Prevention Services Department, home to the Healthy Youth Coalition and Communities That Care coalitions, announces it has received multiple grant awards totaling $47,210 from the M&M Area Community Foundation’s fall grant cycle.

This funding arrives at a crucial time, helping stabilize prevention programming after the unexpected loss of significant federal support.

Earlier this year, the department and CTC’s largest funding source, the federal Drug-Free Communities grant, shifted from a planned “recompete” to a full cancellation. This change resulted in a definite $125,000 loss for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, affecting youth substance use prevention initiatives, coalition operations, and community engagement efforts.

The grants awarded by the M&M Area Community Foundation will allow the HYC and CTC coalitions to restore portions of their prevention action plans, maintain essential partnerships, and continue serving youth, families, and community sectors across Marinette and Menominee counties.

“We are incredibly grateful to the M&M Area Community Foundation for believing in our work,” said Karianne Lesperance, executive director for ISD Prevention Services. “This support gives our department time to strengthen our sustainability plans and, most importantly, to continue implementing prevention activities after losing our largest federal funding stream.”

The new funding will help support a portion of the department operations and reinstate several evidence-based strategies that were previously on hold, including hands-on vaping prevention education, parent education events, youth-led media campaigns, and environmental prevention efforts aimed at reducing youth substance use.

“Prevention work is foundational to the long-term health of our communities, and HYC and CTC continue to be powerful leaders in that effort,” said Ashley Berken, M&M Area Community Foundation director. “The M&M Area Community Foundation is proud to support this vital work, especially during a time of uncertainty. Our youth, and the adults who support them, deserve every opportunity to thrive, and we are grateful for the partnership and dedication shown by the ISD Prevention Services team.”

The ISD Prevention Services Department collaborates with 12 community sectors throughout Marinette and Menominee counties and is involved in all public-school districts throughout the two counties to prevent and reduce youth substance use. “The M&M Area Community Foundation’s support is not just financial — it is a statement that prevention matters,” Lesperance added. “We look forward to continuing this partnership and making a meaningful impact on the well-being of our youth.”

Despite the substantial support received, the department still faces an estimated $70,000 funding gap for the year. “We want to thank everyone who has reached out to donate, taken time to learn about our programs and financial challenges, or helped spread the word since the notice. Every dollar, every conversation, and every opportunity truly counts right now.”

For more information, or to contribute to the ISD Prevention Services Department, contact Lesperance at 906-863-5665, ext.1038.