The Town of Clinton has been awarded the Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnerships for Success grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Of the 125 grant awards nationwide the Town of Clinton was one of only 4 grants awarded within Connecticut, and the only municipality to receive funding in our state!
The total award is for $286,389 per year for five years. The purpose of the grant program is to prevent and reduce the progression of substance abuse while strengthening prevention capacity and infrastructure in our community. The program is intended to address one of the nation’s top substance abuse prevention priorities - underage drinking among persons aged 9 to 20.
In Clinton, the work funded by the grant will focus on reducing and preventing alcohol, marijuana and nicotine use by Clinton 7-12 grade students, as well as increasing youth mental wellness. The prevention initiatives will be planned using the public health model, the Strategic Prevention Framework, and will be executed via the prevention coalition, Partners in Community (PiC). PiC will collaborate with the Clinton Police Department, Clinton Public Schools, civic groups, PTA, the medical community, REACT youth group, and other state prevention organizations to implement data-driven strategies. The goals are to reduce current levels of youth alcohol, marijuana and nicotine and vape product use and to prevent the start of use of these substances. The Human Services Department will be managing the projects developed under the SAMHSA grant.
First Selectman Goupil and the Board of Selectmen would like to thank David Melillo, Director of Human Services, and Kelly Edwards, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Partners in Community Coalition Coordinator and REACT Advisor and the support staff for securing the grant.
We are thrilled to see the dedication Kelley Edwards has played in our community recognized on the national level through this grant award. Ms. Edward’s and her team of volunteers and partners in the Clinton Public Schools have created programs at all levels to empower students and recent graduates to make healthy lifestyle choices. Under the perseverance and professional guidance Ms. Edward’s work has saved lives and created a culture of “We Are Family” in Clinton.
YOU’RE INVITED TO PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY (PIC)!
Partners in Community (PiC) is a community coalition that has provided prevention services to the Town of Clinton for over 30 years. PiC has initiatives which have successfully decreased teen use of alcohol and tobacco. PiC has increased youth’s sense of value in the community, parent-child communication, family boundaries, and youth resistance skills. Meetings and membership are open to the public. PiC meets the 4th Monday of the month, 7-8:00 PM at the Town Hall Annex.