Bridges Healthcare, Inc. has been awarded the Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The SPF-PFS Grant will provide the regional group with $300,000 per year for five years. This was the only prevention coalition region in Connecticut to be awarded with this year’s round of funding.
The SPF-PFS program will work to create a sustainable prevention infrastructure and strategies/activities in five neighboring communities (Milford, West Haven, Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge). The program’s purpose is to target excessive use of alcohol, growing use of electronic cigarettes, and high levels of depression and anxiety which have been shown to have a “multiplier effect” on substance use. It will target students in grades 7-12 in the region – a population of over 8,000. Over the project lifetime, more than 13,000 students will receive services.
The program builds on the experience of the Milford Prevention Council (MPC) and the support of a variety of community organizations and leaders in all five towns. As a result of sustained implementation of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) process, MPC has achieved reductions in the use of alcohol and marijuana in Milford exceeding 60% over the past 10 years. Wendy Gibbons, LCSW led the Milford Prevention Council for 8 of those years, and will be leading this new initiative.
“We are proud to partner with these cities to help families prevent substance use and address mental health concerns,” said Jennifer Fiorillo, Bridges’ President & CEO. “The development of these community Coalitions will drive much needed strategies that will address the reasons for and consequences of binge drinking, vaping, and related mental health concerns.”
Bridges was also recently awarded a grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP), as part of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act) grant. This targets the reduction of alcohol use by minors in the West Haven community. For more information contact Wendy Gibbons at wgibbons@bridgesmilford.org or call (203) 783-6676.