RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is awarding grants to groups across the state for youth tobacco-use prevention programs. The foundation says the $9.2 million in funding over the next three years for 62 groups will fund classroom-based prevention programs for preschool through high school students. Officials also say 24 other groups will share $48,000 to start or support chapters of its teen volunteer group that promotes healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles for youth. Y Street was named the top youth advocacy group for tobacco-use prevention in the nation in 2011 by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. In 2013, the group added 527 new members, who collectively completed nearly 1,000 projects and volunteered more than 3,000 hours. Since 2004, more than 7,000 teens statewide have participated in Y Street.
