Prevention
The West Hartford Prevention Council and Prevention Partnership promote optimal health and well-being by fostering community-wide events, activities, and awareness campaigns about the importance of promoting mental health and preventing substance misuse across the lifespan.
For more information, please contact Gretchen Levitz, Prevention Coordinator at 860-561-7571.
- Recovery Friendly Community
- Peer | Health | Awareness | Concerns | Teen | Taskforce (PHACTT)
- Able Table
- SMART Groups
- Resources
Recovery Friendly Community
Recovery Friendly Community
We are proud to announce that the Town of West Harford was recently designated as a Recovery Friendly Community. We support those who are in recovery from substance misuse and/or mental health disorders by 1) raising awareness of the nature of such conditions, 2) promoting health and recovery by reducing stigma and discrimination and 3) building or improving the environmental factors necessary for recoveries to flourish. Expected benefits of a Recovery Friendly Community may be reduced substance use, reduced overdoses, reduced crime, an improved sense of compassion, humanity and citizenship and positive statewide visibility.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential” and notes that there are “four major dimensions that support a life in recovery: health, home, purpose, and community.”
In Connecticut, residents are more likely to die from unintentional drug overdose than a motor vehicle accident. Most of these deaths are linked to overdose of prescription opioid painkillers and illicit opioids. According to the CDC, the 2020 Connecticut age-adjusted rate for drug-induced mortality was 39.1 per 100,000 population compared to the 2020 national rate of 28.3. One in four people will experience a mental health disorder and they do recover.
The Recovery Friendly Community Initiative helps to build consensus among stakeholders and momentum for change while focusing our efforts on several key ideas:
- Empowerment – The Initiative is based on empowering people in recovery at all levels within the system and offering hope that they can lead self-determined and fulfilling lives, directed toward achieving their highest potential.
- Individualized and Person-Centered – The Initiative focuses on providing culturally competent and individualized care and support chosen by the person in recovery to meet his/her unique needs.
- Built on Cornerstones – It builds on work that has been occurring in the behavioral health community over the past several decades, but also expands that work into new and exciting areas (e.g., use of peer supports).
- Systematic Emphasis – Using recovery-oriented standards, practice guidelines, performance monitoring and contracting language, it systematizes how we conceptualize, implement and operate services and supports.
- Quality and Outcome-Oriented – It emphasizes outcomes and incorporates the best available practices from scientific literature and from the informative experiences of people in recovery.
Peer | Health | Awareness | Concerns | Teen | Taskforce (PHACTT)
What is PHACTT
It’s not uncommon for teens to turn to their friends and social media for advice and information. At times, the information shared is not accurate or based on fact. When it comes to adolescent health issues and prevention, teens may be making uninformed decisions that will potentially affect their entire future.
The PHACTT program seeks to maximize the power of peer education by equipping teens with resources, skills and strategies to deliver vital and accurate health information to students in their own schools and community.
How Can I Join?
Participating in PHACTT is a unique opportunity to promote awareness of teen health issues and to support active steps to address adolescent health concerns within our schools and community.
Students interested in launching a PHACTT campaign will be required to complete a PHACTT mini grant proposal outlining the key issue they intend to target and the message they plan to deliver. Campaign proposal forms are also available in the Student Activities and Guidance Departments at the high schools.
5 Steps to creating a successful PHACTT CAMPAIGN
Design a creative marketing campaign that reaches your peers and makes a difference. Get the PHACTT’s and share information with a dynamic marketing strategy that is designed by your own team!
1. Identify and Select
- Identify and select adolescent health issue/prevention topic that affects peers. This can be done by formal survey, informal survey, or special interest
2. Complete Mini-Grant Application
- Submit application for approval (5 day approval turnaround)
3. Research Selected Topic
- Identify local experts
- Identify local resources
- Identify national resources
4. Complete Campaign Requirements
- Flyer/Brochure to distribute
- Poster for display
- Develop a 2-3 minute PSA
- Create a slogan for printed campaign material and swag/merchandise
- Design swap to giveaway at events and at school
5. Roll Out Campaign
- To peers
- Another school or community agency
- Celebrate! West Hartford
Able Table
This project was brought to life with funding from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Youth Recovery CT. Students from West Hartford Public Schools brainstormed the artistic theme for the table, focusing on how prevention can spread positive change throughout the community. Once the design was finalized, the students collaborated with artist Julie Bergeron from Rise Up for the Arts in the studio to paint the table.
The “Growing Resilience” table is intended to be a safe space for everyone, and also an accessible space with ample space for a wheelchair or stroller to pull right up to the table’s surface, and seats positioned so that a child can easily sit on a parent’s lap.
West Hartford has been recognized as a ‘Recovery Friendly Community,’ a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity. We celebrate the diversity and beauty that make up our town and we also acknowledge those in our community who are struggling. Here in West Hartford, we firmly believe that there is a seat at the table for everyone.
SMART Groups
Resources
West Hartford Cares Resource Directory
CT Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Resource Guide for Behavioral Health (provided by CT Clearinghouse | A Wheeler Clinic Program)
Mental Health Family Support (provided by UCONN and CT Children's Hospital)
Calendar of Events
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Town Hall, Room 314
Town Hall, Room 314
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Town Hall
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Town Hall
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Town Hall, Room 217
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Join us to become part of the West Hartford Prevention Partnership Coalition as our local Prevention Council.