TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Hamilton Center, Inc. has been awarded the School Social Service Grant through the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addictions.
The grant provides $1.9M through two years for evidence-based substance abuse education and prevention. In addition, the grant will provide programming for suicide prevention that will help to improve overall mental health and well-being of students, families and school staff.
The grant comes from the Child Psychiatric Service Fund for the State House Bill 1001 from the 2019 Legislative Session. Hamilton Center was selected for implementation in 10 counties in central and west central Indiana.
According to the Center for Disease Control, alcohol, marijuana and tobacco are the substances most commonly used by adolescents. Nearly 40 percent of high schoolers reported having tried cigarettes; 50 percent reported using marijuana; and two-thirds had tried alcohol by their senior year.
In addition, nearly 20 percent of high school seniors reported using prescription medicine without a prescription.
“Many of our youth experience significant risk factors when it comes to addiction and illicit drug use” Brock Lough, Executive Director of School Services at Hamilton Center said. “We are working to address these issues head on with education, prevention, and even treatment for those who may already be struggling.” he said.
Most of this behavior is not happening anywhere near a school setting which calls for administrators to select specialized evidence-based practices that target specific risk factors found outside of school, with the primary goal of growing or establishing protective factors.
“Protective factors are the endgame in substance abuse education and treatment,” Anastasia Godsey, Director of Child and Adolescent Services at Hamilton Center Inc., said. “Creating environments that can more effectively respond to the social and emotional needs of youth – acceptance, isolation, stigma – is a top priority in addressing substance abuse in youth. That’s what this grant will assist us in doing,” she added.
A primary feature of the grant is the Ripple Effects Whole Spectrum Intervention System which will offer social emotional learning experiences in the school setting. Hamilton Center and administrators will also work to identify needs and readiness for implementing other EBPs such as Question, Persuade, Refer training, Signs of Suicide and the Catch My Breath curriculum all of which are nationally certified programs. In addition, Hamilton Center will implement a community awareness campaign within each county and host guest speakers to present on substance use with the primary goal of prevention.
“We are grateful that DMHA recognized the needs in our area of the State,” Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO said. “Substance abuse prevention is critical in the overall health of our community”, he added.
Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.
For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.
