Rutland Regional Medical Center and its partners recently announced that Rutland Regional has been selected by the state of Vermont Dept. of Health, Division of Substance Use (DSU) as one of four Prevention Lead Organizations across the state. As the Prevention Lead, Rutland Regional will guide substance misuse prevention activities and sub-grant funds to community partners located in Addison and Rutland counties.
With longstanding experience leading prevention efforts in Rutland County, funded by the Regional Prevention Partnerships grant, Tobacco Community Program grant, and strategic projects funded through the Bowse Health Trust, the hospital was well positioned to receive the Prevention Lead designation.
“To enhance the partnerships within Addison and Rutland Counties through this funding and to continue providing prevention, education, and support is very exciting,” said Sara Stearns, prevention coordinator at Rutland Regional. “I am looking forward to seeing the significant impact this grant will have within Rutland and Addison County communities.”
The Prevention Lead grant from the Vermont Dept. of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs, is in the amount of $960,000 and covers a period of two-years. With this funding, Rutland Regional will lead strategic efforts to increase the capacity for prevention-focused strategies. With the expansion of service areas for this grant, Rutland Regional has partnered with United Way of Addison County to best understand and address the need in that county.
Both the Rutland and Addison Districts are represented by a new Region 2 Advisory Committee, which will be instrumental in guiding the utilization of funding for competitive subrecipient grant awards based on a needs assessment that is currently being conducted.
“We are thrilled to help bring flexible substance use prevention dollars to Addison County to address the needs identified by our community,” said Sylvie Morrison, director of Advocacy at United Way of Addison County.
The high-level goal for this work includes but is not limited to increasing activities and services; promoting healthy lifestyles; increasing wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities across their lifespan; and to create a sustainable and equitable prevention system in Vermont.
The Region 2 Prevention Lead Organization invites eligible community partners to apply for funds from $15,000 to $50,000 to expand their prevention efforts for all substances and all ages/populations. Funding will start Jan. 1, 2024, and must be used by June 30, 2024, there will be no carryover of funds.
All written applications were due by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
For morel information visit Vermont Prevention Lead Organization at: rrmc.org.
