Your Monthly News & Updates
Dear Members and Supporters of CASAC,

Unfortunately, the Governors proposed budget which is now being debated by State Legislators, has cut the Regional Action Council (RAC's) completely out of the State Budget. 
Based on whats being proposed, the result would be:

IMPACT:
The current proposal could equate to a 100% cut which would mean all of the RAC's would be unable to survive such a drastic cut including CASAC.
 
WHAT WOULD BE LOST:
  • Community mobilization and grant collaboration
  • Substance abuse awareness, education and prevention initiatives such as opioid prevention activities
  • Behavioral health awareness and promoting the use of screening, brief Intervention and referral to treatment.
  • Mental health and suicide prevention awareness and training
  • Media advocacy, program development, legislative advocacy
  • Leverage funds for local initiatives and conduct fundraising activities to fill gaps
  •  Community needs assessment with surveys, data collection and trainings
  • Develop a biannual epidemiologic report of substance use/abuse and recommendations for changes to the community environment
Solution:
 
I urge you to contact your elected officials and ask them to reject the severe budget cuts to Regional Action Councils and keep in place the current CT Prevention Network structure.



Tom Steen, Executive Director
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Upcoming Events

The Remembrance Quilt  -  DMHAS Launches Remembrance Quilt in Memory of Those Who Died of Addiction. CASAC is planning a Quilting program for those interested in participating. Stay tuned!

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CASAC bi monthly Board Meeting: March 21st 8:30 am in the CASAC  office.
RSVP to Tom Steen if you wish to attend.

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We have two up-coming suicide prevention training's offered by AFSP Northern CT Chapter  
   
ASIST training on March 22nd & 23rd at the Wheeler Clinic Plainville Business Center*
 
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don't need any formal training to attend the workshop-anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
 
 
safeTALK Training for Trainers on April 28th & 29th at the Hartford Marriott Farmington*

safeTALK Training for Trainers (T4T) is a two-day course that prepares attendees to facilitate safeTALK workshops. By completing a T4T, participants will join over 3,300 trainers around the world who provide life-saving suicide alertness skills through safeTALK workshops. Each T4T is led by LivingWorks instructors who have substantial experience presenting safeTALK and training others to do so. The T4T course is the first step toward becoming a registered safeTALK trainer. In the course, attendees learn the content and process of safeTALK and the skills needed to conduct it. During the first half-day of the T4T, participants will experience the safeTALK workshop. This provides a shared experience that helps frame the rest of the learning. The remaining time focuses on the skills necessary to lead the workshop, including use of the safeTALK Trainer Manual and audiovisuals, developing the confidence and mastery to present the content, and establishing links with other trainers who may become part of a support network. Attendees can expect a balance of challenge, support, and opportunities for participation at the T4T.  *C andidates for the safeTALK Training for trainers must have attended the two-day ASIST workshop within the past 24 months prior to the safeTALK T4T

contact Tom Steen for more information

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Upcoming Forums

Simsbury: 
 "Legal? Safe? Not your Grandma's Marijuana. Let's Talk." March 8th, 6:30 pm Simsbury Public Library.

Canton:
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL WELLNESS: SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION
The Opioid/Heroin Epidemic
Canton Community center March 9th 5:30 pm, 40 Dyer Ave,  Canton, CT

Contact Tom Steen for more information.

Spotlight

Not the Right Time for Connecticut - StopPotCT Coalition. 

The Opioid Crisis Hits Home: Stories from Connecticut -  The US Attorney's Office in Connecticut has asked that we get the word out on the short video on the opioid crisis.

"1$ of Prevention is worth $10 of Intervention or Treatment in the future."

Donate here to help CASAC promote  
Substance Abuse Awareness and Mental Health Promotion.

  


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