PREVENTION
Prevention means creating conditions that promote good health. It is achieved by reducing those factors that are known to cause illness and problem behaviors and encouraging those factors that buffer individuals and promote good health. Prevention promises a reduction in the incidence of new cases of illness and problem behavior. When properly done, a good preventive intervention is long lasting and focused on reducing vulnerability and enhancing wellness.
WHAT IS A LOCAL PREVENTION COUNCIL [LPC]?
The State of CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services [DMHAS] supports over 150 local, municipality-based alcohol, tobacco and other drug [ATOD] abuse prevention councils.
These are the Local Prevention Councils.
The LPC programs utilize at least two of the six CSAP identified prevention strategies in their community programs:
- information dissemination
- education
- community-based processes
- alternative programming
- environmental
- program identification and referral)
The specific goals of the Local Prevention Councils are to increase local public awareness of ATOD prevention and facilitate the development and implementation of prevention initiatives & activities primarily focused on youth.
Local Prevention Councils operate under Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations [RBHAO's].
The RBHAOs are strategic community partners who work across the behavioral health field, and are responsible for a range of education, coordination, and advocacy of behavioral health services for children and adults throughout each of the regions. The RBHAO for Region 5, our Region, is Western Connecticut Coalition [WCTC].
Learn more about WCTC here: https://www.wctcoalition.org/
SMART IS THE LOCAL PREVENTION COUNCIL FOR THE TOWNS OF SOUTHBURY & MIDDLEBURY, CT
SMART's LPC
Our Local Prevention Council [LPC] is a cross-section of the Southbury & Middlebury communities, comprised of representatives from various groups/ organizations, agencies, and civilian communities. LPC members include youth, parents, local government officials, law enforcement, school administrators, media, leaders & members of faith-based organizations, persons in recovery, clinical mental health providers and local business owners. It takes a village & everyone's voice counts! All are welcome.
The LPC is instrumental in assisting the Eboard with securing funding from private, public and federal grants. Funding disbursements within the communities are greatly influenced by members' feedback and contributions.
The LPC meets several times per academic year to develop and implement the strategic workplan that SMART, Inc. will engage in throughout the academic year.
Looking for new LPC members!
Email mprimiano@smartinc.org to be added to SMART's email list, to receive updates & invites to our Local Prevention Council Meetings!
SMART's LPC's MAIN FUNDING GOALS:
To stimulate the development and expansion of local primary substance use prevention services that address all stages of human development. Substance use prevention efforts, aligned with joint behavioral & mental health wellness promotion, aim to limit & ultimately eliminate the risks associated with substance misuse/abuse.
Our Local Prevention Council strives to:
- Educate the public on substance misuse issues & increase public awareness about prevention measures & mental health supports and resources
- Promote positive decision making & empower SMART youth & communities
- Support safe communities & school environments
- Identify and help remove barriers to the healthy & successful development of our young people
SMART's LPC works closely with our RBHAO, WCTC, to create & implement relevant & intentional programming based on Southbury & Middlebury's unique youth & community needs.
