The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) awarded 16 mini-grants to local organizations to fund programs that enhance mental health and/or prevent substance use disorders in Clermont County. A total of $60,000 in levy funds was allocated, with maximum funding per project of $5,000. The organizations were funded for the period of Jan. 1, 2016-June 30, 2017. The MHRB plans, funds, and monitors mental health and substance abuse services locally. The organizations selected for mini-grants are:
Amelia Middle School, The ID Project: To help middle school students gain a greater understanding of themselves and their peers and promote positive mental health by providing an opportunity to develop closer peer relationships, and break down barriers among students.
Cathy Barney, Artsy Fartsy Saturdays: Helps children tap into their creative spirit, find their voice, be comfortable, and safely explore the world around them – things that they may not find anywhere else.
Batavia Local Schools, Batavia Backpack Program: To meet nutritional needs of children during summer vacation, with groceries offered every other week to participants and brown bag lunches brought to the children’s neighborhoods twice weekly.
Clermont County Educational Service Center – South, Take Care Talent & Award Show: To develop a talent/award show/banquet dinner for students’ families, to share musical, art and other talents, allowing students to build positive mental health attributes and develop a sense of pride.
Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County, After-Prom: To provide a safe and fun environment for area youth at 10 schools to gather when they leave their high school proms, as an alternative to private parties where alcohol or other substances may be available.
Connection Point Church, Celebrate Recovery: Designed to help families, friends and loved ones affected by the ramifications of substance use disorders.
Felicity-Franklin Elementary Schools, Positive Behavior Supports: Helps students enjoy school more by creating a positive environment where students clearly understand expectations, are encouraged to follow them, and feel good about making the right choices.
Glen Este Middle School, Alliance for Healthy Youth’s Responsible Social Values Program (RSVP): An evidence-based curriculum for middle school students, building on the idea of positive character traits and teaching students the skills needed to make good decisions and reduce risky behaviors.
Monroe Elementary School, Second Step: Teaching K-6 grade youth tactics to help lower physical aggression, display more neutral/pro-social behaviors in the classroom, gain coping skills and cooperative behaviors, and be socially competent.
New Richmond High School, Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral Treatment (SBIRT): Using an evidence-based practice to identify, reduce, and prevent use, abuse and dependence on alcohol/drugs, students in grades 6-9 will be assessed for risky substance use behaviors and referred to brief therapy or additional treatment as needed.
Partners for a Drug Free Milford Miami Twp. Coalition, Youth Task Force (YTF): To allow Milford students’ attendance at a Youth to Youth International Conference, where the group will learn skills to positively influence others as to their drug-free beliefs and other healthy behaviors.
Safe Harbor of Hope, Residential Sober Living Transition Home: Safe Harbor of Hope, a non-profit women’s transition home in Clermont County, will provide a 12-month residential sober living program for a woman in recovery.
Surviving Our Loss and Continuing Everyday, SOLACE Clermont: To continue scholarship programs for individuals seeking to enter a sober living facility and pay fees for SOLACE’s dedicated phone line offering support and assistance to those affected by substance abuse.
Williamsburg United Methodist Church, Support Group: To offer support for families directly impacted by addiction and provide information on how to find help for addicted family members, with a goal to help at least five families directly dealing with addiction.
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, Amend Adolescent Program: Adolescents who complete the program will demonstrate use of conflict resolution skills when confronted with negative or dangerous situations, such as domestic, dating and school violence, or any abusive behaviors.
YWCA of Cincinnati-Eastern Area, CC Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Task Force (DVSA Task Force): To promote awareness about domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking at community events during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April) and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October).
Additional information on the mini-grant awards, the programs, and about mental health or substance use disorders can be obtained by contacting Melissa Burke at MHRB at 513-732-5400.