Greater Lowell Health Alliance Awards Substance Use Prevention Grants

LOWELL, MA – September 5, 2014 – The Greater Lowell Health Alliance (www.greaterlowellhealthalliance.org) of the Community Health Network Area 10 has awarded 10 grants totaling $171,426 to support programs and services to address the increasing issues surrounding substance abuse in the Greater Lowell area.

Utilizing a $200,000 contract awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts earlier this year, GLHA is providing grant funding to increase services and programs in the following priority areas:

• Build the capacity of those who work with children and youth to deliver prevention services.
• Address change in the social environment by promoting community norms and public policies that decrease substance use.
• Reduce risk factors and increase protective factors among youth and families by providing substance abuse prevention, education, outreach programs and services.
• Build local partnerships to implement strategies that change community conditions and increase the community’s capacity to sustain effective efforts.

State Representative Thomas Golden (D-Lowell) was instrumental in procuring the $200,000 grant from the state. The GLHA expects to issue the remaining funds during the next grant cycle.

“As an organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of health in the communities we serve, we are very pleased to put 100 percent of these funds directly into the hands of the front-line organizations addressing the substance abuse crisis that threatens the quality of life of those who live and work in Greater Lowell,” said Kerrie D’Entremont, GLHA Executive Director. “With the generous support of Representative Golden and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we are making inroads in addressing this critical health issue in the area of substance use prevention and education.”

GLHA–comprised of healthcare providers, business leaders, educators, civic and community leaders–plays a critical role in helping individuals and organizations collaboratively improve the health of Greater Lowell region. By raising awareness and providing resources, the Alliance empowers community organizations to make decisions and take actions that will lead to an improvement in the region’s health.

Below is the list of grant recipients and award amounts:

Lowell Community Health Center - Substance Use and Prevention Task Force (SUP) Regional Initiative

($100,000)

Billerica Substance Abuse Prevention Committee - Substance Use and Prevention Collaborative
($10,000)

Lowell House, Inc. - Prevention Outreach Project (POP)
($10,000)

Lowell Public Schools - Arts in Substance Abuse Prevention for Lowell Middle Schools
($10,000)

Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Inc. - Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
($10,000)

Tewksbury Police Department- Substance Use and Prevention Education Week
($10,000)

Town of Chelmsford – Substance Use Disorder Education and Prevention Week
($6,600)

Dracut Public Schools/Richardson Middle School -Substance Awareness Program
($6,226.10)

Westford Health Department, Utilizing Evidence-Based Prevention Programs to Reduce Substance Abuse in Westford
($6,100)

Lowell Police Department – LPD LYDC Drug Awareness Event
($2,500)

Grants were awarded to support projects taking place between September 2014 and August 2015. Non-profit organizations or public entities (such as municipalities, schools, health and human service providers) were eligible to apply. Priority was given to agencies with representatives serving on the GLHA’s Substance Use and Prevention Task Force. Organizations not currently participating in the above task force are welcome to apply and encouraged to join the task force.