The Faith Community Education Initiative (FCEI), a collaborative effort of the Substance Use Disorder Subcommittee (SUDS), provides educational material and resources that address substance use disorder and mental health. This initiative hosts informational sessions and provides literature.

The FCEI provides services to Person County faith-based organizations.

The FCEI aims to impact those served by providing them with information that may increase their knowledge of substance use disorders and mental health concerns, as well as local resources to which they can refer others. The impact can be felt countywide as more residents are getting assistance with substance use disorders and mental health concerns.

In August 2023, SUDS began planning to implement the FCEI in March of 2024.

In March 2024, SUDS hosted a resource event for Person County pastors.  This event focused on identifying resources where Personians could find help with mental health and substance abuse issues. There were 13 pastors in attendance. A post event survey was conducted, and it was determined that the participants wanted more of these learning activities.

In response to the March 2024 event, SUDS hosted a second event in October 2024 for Person County pastors and community organizations. The event was an in-person suicide prevention training. There were 14 attendees who received Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Training and were awarded a QPR Gatekeeper Certificate indicating that all the requirements of the QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program were met. This certificate is valid for one year and is proof of two contact hours of continuing education credit. Certificate holders have received training on how to persuade individuals to seek help when having suicidal thoughts. There were seven attendees who received 988 Suicide Prevention flyers and brochures and agreed to display them in a visible location in their facilities. Four of the participants who took 988 Suicide Prevention materials were pastors, one participant represented a community college, and one represented a group that mentors fathers. SUDS will plan for more events in 2025.

In June 2025, SUDS hosted an in-person suicide prevention training for community and faith-based organizations. This year, the invitation to participate was extended to community partners and the community at-large. There were nine participants who received Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training and were awarded a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper certificate. This certificate is valid for one year and is proof of two contact hours of continuing education credit. The QPR training participants consisted of two pastors and one youth pastor, two representatives from the Person County Department of Social Services (PCDSS), two community outreach representatives from mental health agencies, and one administrative assistant from a local mortuary service. Four attendees received 988 Suicide Prevention flyers and brochures and agreed to display them in a visible location in their facilities.