Bhcare Inc

CCBHC-IA: IMPROVING ACCESS AND ADVANCING SERVICES - BHCARE IS SEEKING A CCBHC-IA GRANT TO REINFORCE EFFORTS FROM THE CCBHC-EXPANSION GRANT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE FOR ADULTS WITH SMI, SUD, AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS AND TO IMPLEMENT NEW EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AS WELL AS LGBTQ+ IDENTIFYING CLIENTS BASED UPON ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL NEEDS AND DISPARITIES. BHCARE ALSO INTENDS TO BUILD OUR AGENCY CAPACITY FOR MEASUREMENT-BASED CARE APPROACHES AND MODEL PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY. BHCARE, AN EXISTING CCBHC-EXPANSION GRANT RECIPIENT, IS SEEKING A CCBHC-IA GRANT TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE CULTURALLY COMPETENT AND TRAUMA INFORMED RECOVERY SERVICES. BHCARE HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET CCBHC CRITERIA AND PROJECT GOALS THROUGH EVALUATION AND MONITORING AND INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL EFFORTS TO SUPPORT WELLNESS AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR PRIORITY POPULATIONS THAT HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY STRUGGLED WITH ACCESS. BHCARE WILL AUGMENT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND INTEGRATION EFFORTS BEGUN WITH INITIAL CCBHC IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS. THROUGH THE ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF OUR CCBHC EXPANSION IMPLEMENTATION, AS WELL AS NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, BHCARE HAS IDENTIFIED CONTINUING NEED FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR ALL ADULTS WITH SMI, SUD, AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS, CONTINUING SERVICE AND ACCESS NEEDS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND THE NEED FOR CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND AFFIRMING SERVICES FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. SPECIFIC STRATEGIES INCLUDE: -ADMISSIONS NAVIGATORS WILL CONNECT AT LEAST 80% OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN SEEKING SERVICES TO SAME DAY ACCESS TO INITIAL EVALUATION AND 85% TO NEXT-DAY PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION WITH MEDICATION SERVICES -MITIGATION OF COVID ACCESS BARRIERS TO ONSITE CARE THROUGH AN INFECTION PREVENTIONIST WHO WILL TRACK STAFF COVID CASES AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 100% OF STAFF WHO EXHIBIT COVID SYMPTOMS AND/OR TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 -TRAINING 10 CLINICIANS WITHIN 24 MONTHS IN TWO CHILDREN'S EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES (CIRCLE OF SECURITY AND TRIPLE P), SERVING AT LEAST 20 FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN IN YEARS 2 AND 3 -TRAINING 90% OF STAFF WITHIN 24 MONTHS ON THE TERMINOLOGY, GENERAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPARITIES AMONG LGBTQ+ POPULATIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS -EVALUATING CHANGES IN ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND BEHAVIORS IN WORKING WITH LGBTQ+ CLIENTS VIA STAFF SELF-ASSESSMENT (90% TARGET), AND PERCEPTIONS OF A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT (85% TARGET) AND STAFF COMPETENCY (80% TARGET) VIA CONSUMER SATISFACTION SURVEYS FOR LGBTQ+ IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUALS -ENHANCING MEASUREMENT-BASED CARE, AS EVIDENCED BY 65% OF CHART REVIEWS OF PERSON-CENTERED RECOVERY PLANS WILL REVEAL THAT SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT TOOL SCORES INFORMED MEASURABLE AND ACTIONABLE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND RECOVERY CRITERIA WITHIN 24 MONTHS BHCARE PROPOSES TO SERVE 250 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS IN YEAR 1 AND 300 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR AFTER FOR A TOTAL OF 1150 INDIVIDUALS SERVED IN THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY AND SHORELINE REGIONS OF CONNECTICUT. BHCARE'S LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY DIRECT SERVICE AREA COMPRISES 6.6% OF CONNECTICUT'S TOTAL POPULATION WITH THE ELEVEN-TOWN REGION HAVING A TOTAL POPULATION OF 237,026

CCBHC - BHCARE, THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY AND THE SHORELINE REGIONS OF CONNECTICUT, PROPOSES TO ESTABLISH CCBHC LOCATIONS IN TWO OF ITS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.

POST PANDEMIC RESTORATION AND SERVICE EXPANSION INITIATIVE - BHCARE'S POST PANDEMIC RESTORATION AND SERVICE EXPANSION INITIATIVE WILL ADDRESS THREE PROBLEMS - THE CUTBACK OF IN PERSON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT A TIME WHEN MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS, AND THE NEED TO ANSWER MORE, AND MORE SEVERE CRISIS CALLS. THE INITIATIVE WILL RESTORE OPEN ACCESS AND INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SERVICE, ADD EVENING/WEEKEND HOURS, INTRODUCE IN-SCHOOL GROUPS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, AND STRENGTHEN CRISIS SERVICES. POPULATIONS SERVED: BHCARE SERVES 11 TOWNS IN NEW HAVEN COUNTY, CONNECTICUT, OPERATIONS FROM TWO ADULT CLINICS IN THE TOWNS OF ANSONIA AND BRANFORD AND ONE CHILD/ADOLESCENT CLINIC IN DERBY. THE CATCHMENT AREA IS DIVERSE, RANGING FROM SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES TO LARGER TOWNS, INCLUDING TOWNS WITH VARYING PROPORTIONS OF RACIAL/ETHNIC MINORITIES AND LOW INCOME POPULATIONS. THE PROJECT'S FOCUS IS ON TOWNS WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF SMI, SED, AND COD (ANSONIA, EAST HAVEN, BRANFORD AND DERBY), SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE ANSONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND CLIENTS IN CRISIS. TAKEN TOGETHER, THE POPULATIONS FOR THESE FOUR TOWNS ARE 28% MINORITY, 25% LOW INCOME, AND 10% BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY THRESHOLD. THE ANSONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS 44% HISPANIC, 29% WHITE, 19% BLACK, 8% OTHER CATEGORIES. MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE STUDENT BODY QUALIFY FOR THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, A PROXY FOR LOW INCOME. CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS: RATES OF ADMISSION TO STATE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN ANSONIA EAST HAVEN, BRANFORD, AND DERBY EXCEED THE STATE AVERAGES BY 92%, 33%, 27% AND 11%, RESPECTIVELY. ANSONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS APPEALED TO US TO SERVE AT-RISK STUDENTS. THEIR PRE-PANDEMIC RATES OF CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT, JUVENILE ARREST, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, AND SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS EXCEEDED RATES BY 50%, 53%, 330% AND 357%, RESPECTIVELY. PROPOSED PROJECT: WE PROJECT THAT 314 CLIENTS SERVED UNDER THESE INITIATIVES WILL AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN A NOMS INTERVIEW AND TIS BE COUNTED UNDER THE GRANT IN YEAR 1, AD 336 IN YEAR 2, FOR A PROJECT TOTAL OF 650. UNDER GOAL 1, WE RESTORE OPEN ACCESS TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN ALL THREE CLINICS, EXTENDING ADULT OPEN ACCESS TO SATURDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. GOAL 1 TARGETS ARE 235 ADULTS AND 19 CHILDREN IN EACH YEAR. UNDER GOAL 2, WE WILL RESTORE ADULT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMMING (IOP) MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ADD AN ADULT GROUP THERAPY. THE IOP TARGET IS 315, BUT WE EXPECT ALL BUT 10 NOMS INTAKES TO BE RECORDED UNDER GOAL1. TARGET FOR ADULT THERAPY IS 5 EACH YEAR. UNDER GOAL 3, STAFF CAPACITY OF CHILD CLINIC IS ENHANCED TO HANDLE INCREASED CLIENT VOLUME. OUR TARGET IS 13 CLIENTS EACH YEAR. UNDER GOAL 4, WE ENHANCE STAFF WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND AVOID BURNOUT BY THROUGH 20 ACTIVITIES PER YEAR, AND STRENGTHEN TELEHEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE. UNDER GOAL 5, WE (A) INTRODUCE GROUP INTERVENTIONS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS, PROJECTING 14 IN YEAR 1 AND 32 IN YEAR 2, AND (B) INTRODUCE PARENTING GROUPS TO SUPPORT PARENTS OF STRUGGLING CHILDREN, PROJECTING 7MIN YEAR 1 AND 11 IN YEAR 2. UNDER GOAL 5, WE STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF ADULT AND CHILD CLINICS TO SERVE CLIENTS IN CRISIS. WE PROJECT THE 10 CLIENTS SERVED UNDER THIS PROJECT WILL CONSENT TO A NOMS INTERVIEW EACH YEAR.

BUILD CHILD RESILIENCE - IN RESPONSE TO THE RISE IN YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ACUITY SINCE THE PANDEMIC, INCREASING STRAINS ON THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, AND THE DISTINCTIVE NEEDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, BHCARE'S BUILD CHILD RESILIENCE INITIATIVE WILL WORK WITH THE CHILD HEALTH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE AND LOCAL HIGH-NEED PUBLIC AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS TO BRING TRAUMA-FOCUSED SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TRAINING OF SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF TO SIX AREA SCHOOLS. THE POPULATION OF FOCUS CONSISTS OF THE STUDENTS IN 4 HIGH-NEED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TWO SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS. THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS ARE PART OF AREA COOPERATIVE EDUCATION SERVICES (ACES), A REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER WHICH OPERATES 6 SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN CT. THE SCHOOL POPULATIONS ARE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND HISPANIC AND LOW INCOME. INDICATORS OF TRAUMA FREQUENCY IN DERBY AND THE DERBY SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATE THAT RATES OF SUBSTANTIATED CHILD ABUSE REPORTS AND SUSPENSIONS OR EXPULSIONS ARE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE STATE RATE, AND 30% OF 7-12 GRADERS SURVEYED HAVING DIRECTLY SEEN, HEARD, OR BEEN A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE IN NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY, OR SCHOOL. AS FOR THE ACES SCHOOLS, STUDIES SHOW THAT CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE 3 OR MORE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN EARLY LIFE HAVE DOUBLE THE ODDS OF ENTERING A SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM THAN CHILDREN WITHOUT SUCH EXPOSURE. THEY ALSO SHOW THAT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ARE MORE THAN THREE TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE MALTREATED THAN NONDISABLED PEERS. FINALLY, THE DIFFICULTY OF DIFFERENTIATING FEATURES OF TRAUMA-RELATED DISORDERS FROM THOSE OF OTHER NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR SPECIAL ED TEACHERS TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO TRAUMA WITHOUT SPECIAL TRAINING. BHCARE WILL HIRE 4 FULL-TIME SCHOOL-BASED CLINICIANS, SUPPORTED BY AN APRN, WHO WILL PROVIDE SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES IN THE TARGET SCHOOLS. THE PRINCIPAL CATEGORY II TSA CENTER SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM WILL BE CONNECTICUT'S CHILD HEALTH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CHDI), THE STATE-DESIGNATED PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT CENTER, SUPPLYING STAFF TRAINING AND SUPPORT. THE FOUNDATION OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN SCHOOLS IS THE CAPACITY OF TEACHERS/SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE TRAUMA AND REFER FOR TREATMENT. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES 3 COMPONENTS FOR SCHOOL STAFF: TRAINING IN TRAUMA SCREENTIME, A CHDI TRAINING ON UNDERSTANDING/RECOGNIZING TRAUMA; ADOPTION OF HANDLE WITH CARE, UNDER WHICH THE SCHOOL RECEIVES A NOTIFICATION (A HANDLE [STUDENT] WITH CARE NOTE) FROM POLICE WHEN A CHILD HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THE SCENE OF A TRAUMATIC EVENT; A TRAINING ON TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TARGETING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, BY CHILD FIRST, A CATEGORY II TSA. CLINICIANS WILL BE TRAINED IN 5 TRAUMA-INFORMED EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES: THE ATTACHMENT, REGULATION AND COMPETENCY (ARC) FRAMEWORK FOR MULTIPLE AND/OR PROLONGED TRAUMATIC STRESS; THE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION FOR TRAUMA IN SCHOOLS (CBITS) GROUP INTERVENTION FOR 5TH-12TH GRADERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA; BOUNCE BACK, A VERSION OF CBITS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN; TRAUMA FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, A CHILD/PARENT TREATMENT FOR YOUTH; AND DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IS A TREATMENT ADAPTED SPECIFICALLY FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH EXTREME EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY, INCLUDING SELF-HARM AND SUICIDAL IDEATION. GOALS ARE: (1) TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE/COLLABORATION ON EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA TREATMENT, WITH OBJECTIVES TARGETING CLINICIAN EDUCATION, SCHOOL PERSONNEL EDUCATION, AND ENGAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS; (2) TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED CLINICAL SERVICES IN 6 SCHOOLS, WITH OBJECTIVES TARGETING STUDENTS REFERRED FOR TREATMENT, STUDENTS SCREENED, AND STUDENTS RECEIVING TREATMENT, INCLUDING APPROPRIATE PERCENTAGES OF BLACK/HISPANIC AND LGBTQ+ STUDENTS; AND (3) TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AMONG YOUTH ENGAGED IN SCHOOL-BASED CARE, WITH OBJECTIVES MEASURED BY NOMS AND OHIO SCALES INTERVIEWS. PROJECTED NUMBERS SERVED WITH GRANT FUNDS: YEAR 1, 95; YEAR 2, 125; YEARS 3-5, 150; TOTAL OF 670.

MEDICATION ASSISTED THERAPY (MAT) PROGRAM, COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT AND SUPPORTS PROVIDED FOR ADULTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER OR OUD AND A CO-OCCURRING MENTAL ILLNESS.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND DE-ESCALATION TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. - BHCARE'S PROGRAM, ALLIANCE FOR PREVENTION & WELLNESS (APW), MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING PROJECT WILL TARGET THE GREATER NEW HAVEN METROPOLITAN AREA OF CT. THE PROJECT GOALS INCLUDE A. TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND DE-ESCALATION TRAINING TO FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL DISORDERS, INCLUDING DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES, FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) OR WITH SEROUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED). B. TO DEVELOP PRINTED AND ELECTRONIC MATERIALS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO COURSE PARTICIPANTS THAT IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING SMI, SED OR WHO ARE IN CRISIS. C. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES MADE BY CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS. D. TO BUILD TRAINING CAPACITY SPECIFICALLY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. APW'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS PROJECT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS BY IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING OBETIVES 1. BY SEMTPEBER 28, 2026, 525 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS IN THE GREATER NEW HAVEN AREA WILL BE TRAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES AS MEASURED B COMPETIAN OF MHFA CERTIFICATION EXAM WITH A SCORE OF 85 OR HIGHER AND COMPLETION OF THE DE-ESCALATION COURSE EVALUATION. 2. BY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026, 1,000 RESOURCE GUIDES WILL HAVE BEEN PRINTED OUTLINING MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE GREATER NEW HAVEN AREA AS MEASURED BY 525 PARTICIPANTS RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE COPY DURING THEIR TRAINING CLASS. 3. BY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE RESOURCE GUIDE POSTED TO APW WEBSITE AT WWW.APW-CT.ORG WILL HAVE BEEN ACCESSED BY PARTICIPANTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS MEASURED BY MONTHLY WEB PAGE VIEWS. 4. BY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026, 4 NEW MHFA INSTRUCTORS WILL BE CERTIFIED TO TECH MHFA ADULT AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FIRE/EMS CURRICULUMS AS MEASURED BY RECEIVING INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION. THE GEOGRAPHICAL CATCHMENT AREA WHERE TRAINING WILL BE DELIVERED IS THE GREATER NEW HAVEN METROPOLITAN AREA. ITS IS PART OF SOUTH-CENTRAL CT WHICH INCLUDES A 36-TWN REGION WITH A TOTAL POPULATION IF 850,717 AND A MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME RANGING FROM $43,386 TO $136,786 (SOURCE: CT OPEN DATA, 2015 AND CTDATA.ORG 2016 MEDIAN INCOME). THE GREATER NEW HAVEN REGION IS AN ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE AREA SPANNING FROM SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES OF 2,556 TO THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE, NEW HAVEN, WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF 135,175. THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO BE SERVED ANNUALLY INCLUDES 105 FIRST RESPONDERS EDUCATORS, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH 525 SERVED OVER LIFETIME OF THE PROJECT. THE LIFELINE THAT THOSE 525 CERTIFIED MHFA TRAINEES WILL BE FOR SOMEONE WITH SMI,

LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY OPIOID PREVENTION PROJECT - THE OPIOID PREVENTION PROJECT DETAILED IN THIS APPLICATION SEEKS TO RENEW THE COALITION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THREE TOWNS IN THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY OF CONNECTICUT. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE DEA-DESIGNATED HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA OF SOUTH CENTRAL CT ON WHAT POLICE REGARD AS AN EASY DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTE AT THE INTERSECTION OF FIVE MAJOR HIGHWAYS, THE TOWNS HAVE DEALT WITH THE READY AVAILABILITY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND HIGH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVALENCE FOR A LONG TIME. BETWEEN 1999 AND 2008, THE ALLIANCE FOR PREVENTION AND WELLNESS (THEN THE VALLEY SUBSTANCE ACTION COUNCIL) OPERATED TWO 5-YEAR DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES GRANTS TO BUILD A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PREVENTION COALITION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THESE TOWNS WHICH PERSISTS TO THE PRESENT DAY. THIS PROGRAM WAS HIGHLY REGARDED AS A MODEL OF ACTIVE CAPACITY-BUILDING AMONG RELATIVELY SMALL TOWNS UNABLE TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL TOWN PREVENTION COUNCILS. AS A RESULT, THE VALLEY SUBSTANCE ACTION COUNCIL WAS EXPANDED, WITH STATE FUNDING, FIRST FROM 5 TO 11 TOWNS IN 2011 (RENAMED THE ALLIANCE FOR PREVENTION AND WELLNESS), AND THEN TAKING LEADERSHIP OF THE ENTIRE SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION OF CT (REGION 2), COMPRISING 36 TOWNS. DURING THIS TIME, THE COALITION MEMBERS FROM THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY CONTINUE TO COMPRISE ABOUT HALF OF THE ENLARGED COALITION MEMBERSHIP, AND HAVE REMAINED ACTIVE IN THE THREE TOWNS – ANSONIA, DERBY, AND SHELTON – TARGETED IN THIS PROPOSAL. DESPITE THE EARLIER SUCCESS OF THE PREVENTION INITIATIVES IN THESE TOWNS, OPIOID OVERDOSE FATALITIES IN BOTH ANSONIA AND DERBY EXCEEDED THE NATIONAL RATE EVERY YEAR FROM 2014 TO 2018. MORE RECENT DATA IS AVAILABLE ON NON-FATAL OVERDOSES, WHICH SHOW THAT THE ANSONIA RATE MORE THAN DOUBLED, AND THE SHELTON RATE INCREASED BY 76%, DURING 2018-2020. THESE DATA PROVIDE GOOD REASON TO WORRY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE THREE TOWNS ARE GROWING TO ADULTHOOD. WARNING SIGNS IN THE SCHOOLS INCLUDE REPORTED EASY ACCESS TO OPIOIDS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, RELATIVELY LOW PERCEPTION OF THE HARM OF MISUSING PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES, INCLUDING OPIOIDS, AND PERCEPTION OF A LACK PARENTAL DIRECTION ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE. THE NUMBER OF SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS AND THE RATES OF STUDENT REPORTS OF AN “UNSAFE” SCHOOL ARE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE THE STATE RATES. RENEWAL IS ALSO NEEDED DUE TO CHANGES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RETIREMENT OF KEY LEADERS, DISRUPTION IN THE YOUTH SECTOR DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, AND THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC ITSELF, WHICH POSED NEW CHALLENGES THAT LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS HAVE BEEN SLOW TO MEET. CT RANKED 6TH IN THE NATION IN OPIOID-INVOLVED OVERDOSE DEATH RATES IN 2019. IF FUNDED UNDER THE CARA GRANT, OUR GOALS ARE (I) TO PREVENT/REDUCE THE ABUSE OF OPIOIDS AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS IN THE THREE TOWNS, WITH A FOCUS ON REDUCING ACCESS AND INCREASING THE PERCEPTION OF HARM, AND (II) TO REBUILD THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. TO REDUCE ACCESS, WE WILL PURSUE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND STRATEGIES, INCLUDING EDUCATING PARENTS, EDUCATORS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS, AND PROMOTING THE DISPOSAL OF UNUSED DRUGS IN THE COMMUNITY. TO INCREASE THE PERCEPTION OF HARM, WE WILL PROVIDE BOTH CLASSROOM EDUCATION AND PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING FOR STUDENTS, AND RAISE THE AWARENESS OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AT STAKE. WE ALSO PROVIDE SBIRT TESTING FOR ALL 9TH GRADERS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS EARLY. EDUCATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE JUVENILE REVIEW BOARD, WHICH HANDLES DRUG-RELATED DISCIPLINARY CASES, WILL RECEIVE TRAINING APPROPRIATE TO THEIR ROLES. CAPACITY-BUILDING WILL FOCUS ON THE FAITH, GOVERNMENT, YOUTH, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTORS, WITH PERSONAL OUTREACH TO EACH AND PROVISION OF TRAINING SPECIFIC TO EACH SECTOR. WE PLAN TO OFFER ALL COALITION MEMBERS TRAINING IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF SBIRT, THE SPF PROCESS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PARENT AND WORKPLACE EDUCATION ON OPIOIDS AND

THE VALLEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE ACTION COUNCIL (VSAAC)

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING NEW

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

EDI SPECIAL PROJECTS

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