Governor Awards Grants for Youth and Rehabilitation Programs in Calhoun County

Funding to support drug treatment, mentoring, and life skills training across Alabama communities

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the criminal justice system and the need for rehabilitation programs.The grants aim to steer at-risk youth away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life paths.Montgomery Today

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has announced the award of three grants totaling $194,941 to support programs aimed at reducing crime and recidivism through drug treatment, mentoring, and life skills training across multiple Alabama communities, including efforts that will directly impact Calhoun County.

Why it matters

These programs are part of a broader statewide effort to address crime prevention through rehabilitation, education, and support services—an approach that community organizations in Calhoun County are expected to continue building upon with the additional resources.

The details

Two organizations received the largest portions of the funding, with $75,000 each awarded to the RCA Foundation and Extended Family. A third grant of $44,941 was awarded to Tuscaloosa's One Place. The RCA Foundation focuses on providing substance abuse treatment, while Extended Family offers support and guidance to at-risk youth across several counties, including Calhoun. Tuscaloosa's One Place will use its grant to support mentoring and workforce training for youth with repeated involvement in the juvenile justice system.

  • The grants were announced on April 7, 2026.

The players

Kay Ivey

The Governor of Alabama who announced the grant awards.

RCA Foundation

An organization that received a $75,000 grant to provide substance abuse treatment for individuals involved in drug court and referral programs.

Extended Family

An organization based in Centre, Alabama that received a $75,000 grant to offer support and guidance to at-risk youth across Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, and Etowah counties.

Tuscaloosa's One Place

An organization that received a $44,941 grant to support its Empowering Youth for Success – 2nd Chance program, which focuses on mentoring and workforce training for youth with repeated involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Kenneth Boswell

The Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, which is administering the grants.

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What they’re saying

“These programs steer people away from criminal activities and toward healthier and more productive lifestyles.”

— Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama

“We support initiatives that contribute to safer communities statewide.”

— Kenneth Boswell, Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

What’s next

The grants are expected to strengthen ongoing efforts in Calhoun County by expanding access to mentorship and life skills development for at-risk youth.

The takeaway

These grant-funded programs are part of a broader statewide strategy to address crime prevention through rehabilitation, education, and support services, an approach that community organizations in Calhoun County are expected to continue building upon.