LONDONDERRY-The Collaborative, a Prevention Lead Organization for the Vermont Department of Health's (VDH), Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU), recently announced more than $850,000 in sub-grant funding. This funding will support 21 vital community prevention partners across southern Vermont, enabling them to address disparities in Vermont's substance misuse prevention system by filling geographical gaps and expanding access to crucial services.
Maryann Morris, executive director of The Collaborative, emphasized the profound impact of these partnerships, stating in a news release, "Our funded partners are absolutely vital to the PL4 project, ensuring substance misuse prevention stays deeply rooted locally while directly addressing our region's greatest challenges. I'm especially impressed by the caliber, skill, and care of this year's new group of partners."
Initiatives supported by these grants include:
• Building a Positive Community (BAPC): Strengthening local capacity, advancing equity, and working to reduce substance use across the region. To learn more about BAPC, visit bapc802.org.
• The Deerfield Valley Community Partnership (DVCP): through youth empowerment, public education, and inclusive events, using research-based prevention strategies to reduce substance misuse, support families, and build protective environments. To learn more about DVCP. visit dvcp.org.
• West River Valley Thrives: sustaining local capacity-building efforts that advance substance misuse prevention in the region. To learn more about West River Valley Thrives, visit wrvthrives.org.
• The Windham County Prevention Partnership (WCPP) Project: supporting data-informed assessment, capacity building, and collaborative action through regional partnerships, including youth-led empowerment programs, harm reduction initiatives, family engagement, and the sharing of prevention resources across multiple sectors. To learn more about WCPP, visit windhampartnership.com.
Vermont Prevention Lead Organizations are funded by state appropriations. As Prevention Lead Organization for Region 4 (PL4), The Collaborative coordinates prevention work in Bennington, Windham, Windsor, and southern Orange counties. Its direct service area includes 18 towns and 10 schools, focusing on promoting healthy communities and substance-free youth through education, programming, and policy development. For more information, visit thecollaborative.us or pl4.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.