West Hartford To Use Grant To Fight Substance Abuse

WEST HARTFORD, CT — In these troubled times of the pandemic, inflation and political division, having a positive mental health outlook can be difficult and substance abuse tempting.

The West Hartford Town Council this month, however, has formally accepted a $5,000 grant from a regional mental health nonprofit to dedicate to local behavioral health causes.

Originally slated to be its own agenda item, the acceptance of $5,000 from Amplify, Inc. was unanimously moved to the council's July 14 consent approval and, subsequently, approved among other items.

Hartford-based Amplify, Inc., was formerly known as the North Central Regional Mental Health Board.

Its role in the community is to help towns figure out behavioral health needs and plan to improve town responses regarding mental health, substance misuse, suicide, problem gambling, and other behavior health issues.

According to a memo from Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith to council members, the town applied for and received the grant.

In order for the grant to become official, the town council needed to approve its receipt, which it did with no discussion.

As a result, West Hartford plans to utilize the cash for "eligible substance abuse prevention activities," wrote Ledwith.

According to the resolution that was approved, the town will work with the West Hartford Prevention Partnership coalition and the West Hartford Prevention Council on how, specifically, it will utilize the $5,000.

For the minutes of the July 14 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For more information on Amplify, Inc., click on this link.

For more information on the West Hartford Prevention Council, click on this link.

For more information on the West Hartford Prevention Partnership, click on this link.