Prevention Pays Off!

State awards $1.4 million to new groups dealing with substance abuse prevention needs
Wednesday
Posted Feb 22, 2017 at 6:56 PM Updated Feb 22, 2017 at 6:56 PM

By Lynn Arditi
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The state has awarded $1.4 million in federal block grant funding to five new regional task forces to assess substance abuse prevention needs and promote behavioral health.

The five-year block grant awards from the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) will help the task forces develop plans to address gaps in resources and community needs, as well as develop a local strategic plan, BHDDH said in a statement. The work will be based on evidence-based and "best practice" interventions, the statement said, and the task forces will continually evaluate the impact of their efforts.

The funds were awarded to the following groups:

• Woonsocket Prevention Coalition Corporation – serving Burrillville, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Pawtucket, North Smithfield and Central Falls;

• Providence Healthy Communities Office – serving the City of Providence;

• BAY Team, Town of Barrington -- serving East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol;

• Newport County Prevention Coalition, Town of Tiverton – serving Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, Jamestown, Middletown and Newport;