Black and African American Community-Based Substance Use Prevention and Education Initiative at Homeless Children's Network: Findings from July 2024 to June 2025

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the Black/African American Community-Based Substance Use Prevention and Education Initiative (otherwise known as Substance Use Prevention and Education Initiative) at Homeless Children’s Network (HCN). The Initiative sought to expand community awareness of substance-use disorder (SUD) within the greater San Francisco community. The goal of this awareness campaign is to prevent and reduce substance use and fatal overdoses among Black/African American individuals in San Francisco by building capacity within Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and strengthening Black systems of care through interconnected, culturally affirming referral and resource networks. This initiative aims to create sustainable change and promote the health and well-being of the Black/African American community.

Together, with HCN, Indigo Cultural Center evaluated the impact of this year’s Black/African American Community-Based Prevention & Education Initiative. In line with a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach rooted in racial equity, HCN’s staff, including the HCN Community-Based Prevention & Education Initiative team, collaborated with the Indigo Cultural Center team on the interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data collected and provided by HCN and their marketing partner, LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS. Additionally, we utilized HCN administrative data to track performance goals and objectives.

Learn more about Homeless Children's Network at: hcnkids.org/impact

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