HOISINGTON — Hoisington School District USD 431 has received a grant for $43,362 to take a leadership role in providing Barton County school districts and communities with an alcohol and drug plan of action for teens. The grant is from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Barton County ranks in quartile 1 on both the 2010-11 alcohol usage and binge alcohol usage indicators in the Communities That Care survey. Barton County was deemed a priority county by the Regional Prevention Center.

"We’ll provide information to students and parents," said Pat Reinhardt, principal of Hoisington Middle School. She plans to conduct meetings with parents in Barton County Communities.

Also, a parent’s handbook will be published and distributed defining resources and identifying characteristics to parents. They plan to work with other prevention entities.

In addition, a family Wellness Night will be held in all of the communities. Hoisington has formed a Task Force that will drive this, said Reinhardt. They will provide input and try to get more people involved.

The grant was written by Clelia McCrory, Essdack Grants/CTE.