NEWS RELEASE
September 26, 2016
CONTACT INFO
Matthew Cannata
Office: 860-827-2284
Cell: 860-819-0496
cannatam@csdnb.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT – The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) recently awarded Klingberg Family Centers funding in the amount of $183,004 to implement the federally funded Partnership for Success (PFS) in Connecticut to address underage drinking and/or prescription drug abuse/misuse prevention.
The Coalition for New Britain’s Youth, Consolidated School District of New Britain (CSDNB) and Klingberg Family Centers worked together to secure this grant. The ability to collaborate across all community sectors is one of New Britain’s greatest strengths. Just recently in June, the city was named an All-American City by the National Civic League, America’s oldest and most prestigious community award. This award recognizes exemplary grassroots community problem solving and is awarded to communities of all sizes that collaboratively tackles challenges and achieve results. Receiving this grant is just another example of the work that is done in New Britain throughout the entire community.
“The Coalition is very excited about this grant award. With these funds we will be able to implement new strategies as a community to help our youth reach their full potential,” stated Robin Lamott Sparks, Executive Director of the Coalition for New Britain’s Youth. “We truly appreciate DMHAS recognizing our ability as a community to work together on behalf of our youth.”
Klingberg, a primary partner with the CSDNB and a key member of the Coalition, will use this grant to take another step towards helping achieve the community-wide vision of developing the whole child to be successful in school, careers and life.
“Klingberg strives to serve the community through partnerships whenever possible,” said David Tompkins, Vice President of Klingberg. “We are proud to be awarded this grant as the fiduciary, partnering with the Coalition and the CSDNB to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse in New Britain.”
In an effort to better serve the whole child, CSDNB recently implemented the Search Institute Survey for all students in grades 6-12. This helped them collect drug use data that was not previously available. The results of the survey have helped narrow the focus of where intervention is truly needed among youth in New Britain.
“This is another step in us moving in the direction of serving and developing the whole child. Studies have proven that it is not simply about what happens in the classroom,” said Superintendent Nancy Sarra. “It is more. It is about their social and emotional well-being and this grant will help us achieve this vision.”
About the Consolidated School District of New Britain
In partnership with family and community, the Consolidated School District of New Britain works to provide the best personalized and comprehensive whole-child education at every level so students will be prepared for, and positively contribute to, a profoundly different future. The Consolidated School District of New Britain strives to pursue excellence one student a time.
About the Coalition for New Britain’s Youth
The Coalition for New Britain’s Youth (Coalition) is a citywide group of community stakeholders committed to improving the lives of New Britain’s youth, birth through age 24. The Coalition includes parents, educators, government officials, health and social service agencies and others as members. Partners use reliable data to develop common strategies, align efforts, and evaluate progress toward achieving their shared vision: ensuring the children and youth of New Britain have the skills they need to be successful in life.
The Coalition represents the merger of four of New Britain’s influential collaboratives: the New Britain Youth Network, the New Britain School Readiness Council, the Health and Wellness Committee of the School Board, and the Coalition for New Britain’s Children. Rather than working independently, the partners agreed to join forces to increase the impact they can collectively have on our youth’s lives. To learn more about the Coalition, or to become a member, visit www.coalition4nbyouth.org.
About Klingberg Family Centers
Founded in 1903, Klingberg Family Centers is a private, nonprofit multi-service agency providing help to thousands of persons across Connecticut each year through more than twenty distinct programs. Klingberg’s mission is to extend hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been traumatized by abuse and/or neglect in its various forms, severe family problems, and mental health issues. Klingberg’s main campus is located in New Britain, Connecticut, with an additional location in Hartford. For more information about Klingberg Family Centers, visit www.klingberg.org.
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