BATAVIA, OH — The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board awarded 14 mini-grants to local organizations for the period of July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020. The Mental Health and Recovery Board plans, funds, and monitors mental health and addiction services locally. The grants will fund programs that enhance mental health and/or prevent addiction in Clermont County. The grant applications were initially reviewed by a three-member committee. A total of $40,910 was allocated, with maximum funding per project of $4,000.
The organizations selected for a mini-grant are:
Bethel-Tate Middle School, Calming Room: To give students who are dealing with anxiety and or trauma a calm place to deal with their stressors.
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, Summer Learning Program: To provide students with a continuation of education during the summer months with focus on academic success, healthy living, self-esteem building, drug prevention, social/emotional learning and leadership.
Cathy Barney, Artsy Fartsy Saturdays: To help children tap into their creative spirit, find their voice, be comfortable, and safely explore the world around them – things that they may not otherwise find anywhere else.
Clermont County Public Library, Mental Health First Aid Training: To provide a free, 8-hour training course on suicide prevention that will be available to the general public as well as library staff. Attendees will learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to offer help and hope.
Clermont Northeastern Middle School, Be the Difference Club: To establish and create an environment that encourages respect and safety between peers, an increased desire to learn and community pride. The club originally started with six members and has since grown to 81 active participants.
Clermont Northeastern Schools, Rocket Way Opening Week: To provide students with a mental health support program during the first month of school that will focus on topics such as bullying, diversity, adversity, mental health wellness, trust, suicide prevention, identity, school pride and positive communication.
Connection Point Church, Celebrate Recovery: To provide a free of charge 12-step, 8-principle faith-based recovery program to community members in need. Celebrate Recovery has no salaried employees and relies solely on volunteers for the closed group meetings.
Goshen Marr-Cook Elementary, Zones of Regulation: To create individual “tool boxes” for students experiencing trauma. The tool boxes are designed to help the students better manage emotions and improve appropriate responses.
Goshen Middle School, ReDo Day: A program designed to help all members of a school community recognize that respect is an action. By focusing on what they have in common rather than the differences that divide them and by understanding each other’s personal stories, they can build empathy and compassion for one another.
Milford Meadowview Elementary, Meadowview MonSTARs: A Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) program that guides implementation of evidence-based practices to improve student behavior and outcomes. PBIS improves student outcomes by improving the school environment, decreasing school discipline issues, and preventing social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
Milford Mulberry Elementary, Sensory Support Materials: To expand upon a path laid out in a designated spot in the school where students can participate in activities to regulate emotions when feeling elevated and to update sensory boxes in individual classrooms. The intent for these materials is to promote and teach positive behavior and skills to prevent long-term behavioral difficulties and mental health problems.
Safe Harbor of Hope, Tuition Program: To cover tuition costs for a residential sober living program for women seeking a way out of unhealthy lifestyles. Safe Harbor of Hope has no salaried employees and relies on small grants, private donors, churches in the community and fundraisers to provide its services.
Surviving Our Loss and Continuing Every Day (SOLACE), SOLACE Scholarship Program: To sponsor and assist individuals seeking to move into recovery housing and to provide a support hotline for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati-Eastern Area, House of Peace: To provide therapeutic support groups to the residents at the House of Peace with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder, exposure to trauma, safety and recovery.
Additional information on the mini-grant awards, the programs, and about mental health or addiction prevention can be obtained by contacting the Mental Health & Recovery Board at 513-732-5400 or visiting their website at www.ccmhrb.org.
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