ES 4. Mobilize Community Partnerships to Identify and Solve Health Problems

Core Function: Policy Development

Local health department staff play an important role in convening and facilitating partnerships and strategic alliances among other municipal agencies, community-based organizations, and community members to develop and implement prevention, intervention, and treatment activities for opioid use and misuse.

State, federal and/or community foundation grant funds may be available to support these efforts. Local health departments are encouraged to have their names added to state, federal and community foundation e-lists so that they receive timely information about requests for proposals.

Local, Statewide and Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Programs

• Regional Behavioral Action Organizations (RBHAOs) in Connecticut are strategic community partners who work across the behavioral healthcare continuum and are responsible for planning, education, and advocacy of behavioral health needs and services for children and adults within one of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)’ Uniform Regions. https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view.asp?q=601578

• Region 1: Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership, Marc Donald, Executive Director. http://www.ryasap.org/ 
• Region 2: Alliance for Prevention Wellness – BHCare, Pamela Mautte, Executive Director. https://www.apw-ct.org 
• Region 3: Southeastern Regional Action Council (SERAC), Michele Devine, Executive Director. http://www.sectrac.org 
• Region 4: North Central Regional Mental Health Board, Inc., Marcia Dufore, Executive Director. http://www.ncrmhb.org/ 
• Region 5: Western Connecticut Coalition, Allison Fulton, Executive Director. https://www.wctcoalition.org/ 

• Local Prevention Councils (LPCs) are municipally-based alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) abuse prevention councils, supported by DMHAS. Their purpose is to foster prevention activities aimed at youth with the support of chief elected officials. https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view.asp?q=335150 
• Additional Prevention Coalitions are also active throughout Connecticut.  Many are funded by DMHAS, SAMHSA, ONDCP or private funding. To see a map of additional prevention coalitions, please go to the Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Service Center Website at: https://preventiontrainingcenter.org/map 
• The Governor’s Prevention Partnership equips, empowers, and connects organizations, communities, and families to prevent substance abuse, underage drinking, and violence among youth and promotes positive outcomes for all young people in Connecticut. https://www.preventionworksct.org/about/ 
• Drugfreect.org is Connecticut’s premier resource on substance misuse and addiction including the full continuum of prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. Drugfreect.org offers data on the scope of the opioid crisis, tips on safe prescription medication storage and disposal, information of statewide initiatives and campaigns, strategies for overdose prevention including access to the life-saving drug naloxone (Narcan®), and access to treatment and recovery supports. https://www.drugfreect.org/ 
• Connecticut Statewide Healthy Campus Initiative was created by DMHAS in partnership with twenty-five institutions of higher education. The initiative has joined senior administrators and faculty from Connecticut Institutions of Higher Education, prevention experts, and college students in a discussion focusing on reducing the high-risk alcohol and drug use on Connecticut campuses. Monthly meetings are held during the academic year with college and university staff.  https://www.ct.gov/DMHAS/cwp/view.asp?a=2912&q=439078