Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of Mental Health and Substance Use Special Grants Initiative. These grants, totaling $180,500, are part of a special initiative aimed at improving mental health and substance use outcomes in Putnam County.
In response to the 2023 Community Needs Assessment, which identified mental health and substance use as critical issues in the county, PCCF formed a special Task Force to further investigate these needs and develop a comprehensive response. After consulting over 40 local stakeholders and reviewing 19 submissions in a Request for Information (RFI) process, the Task Force has recommended funding to organizations that are addressing these challenges head-on.
The Task Force, which consisted of local experts including professionals from healthcare, education, probation, and mental health services, also identified four key areas of focus: collaboration, prevention and advocacy, intervention and harm reduction, and recovery. The grant program is designed to support initiatives in these areas with a focus on expanding services, improving accessibility, and promoting community collaboration.
“These grants represent a significant step forward in addressing some of the most pressing challenges identified by our community through our Community Needs Assessment,” said Kyle Beasley, President of PCCF’s Board. “The collaboration between local organizations and the focus on expanding access to mental health and substance use services will have a lasting impact on individuals and families across Putnam County.”
The following organizations have been awarded grants:
- Beyond Homeless, Inc. — Expand mental health and substance use support services with added staff and resources.
- Cummins Behavioral Health — Incentivize the recruitment of new mental health providers through sign-on bonuses.
- Family Support Services of West Central Indiana — Enhance 24/7 access to case management for individuals affected by mental health or substance use issues.
- Ivy Tech Community College — Planning grant to explore the expansion of the Recovery Scholars program into Putnam County.
- Mental Health of America of Putnam County — New website and additional administrative support.
- Putnam County Recovery Coalition — Development of a new website.
- Putnam County Youth Development Commission — Administrative support for the CASA program, including substance use-related training.
Elizabeth Butts, Executive Director of Family Support Services of West Central Indiana said, “It is our hope that through this grant initiative, individuals will have additional support in accessing mental health and addiction services that will help them build a strong support system and help them feel a sense of empowerment during their healing process and recovery journey.”
“Ivy Tech Community College looks forward to deepening our commitment to serving Putnam County by examining the need for and benefit of establishing a scholarship program aimed at helping those successful in recovery find their purpose through an educational pathway that leads to a meaningful career,” said Lea Anne Crooks, Ph.D., Chancellor of Ivy Tech Terre Haute/Greencastle.
The Task Force’s recommendations for future work focus on continued collaboration, youth prevention programs, expanded crisis intervention, harm reduction efforts, and enhanced recovery services. As part of these efforts, the Task Force is also exploring opportunities to provide free training and other professional development opportunities for mental health and substance use providers and encourage collaboration among organizations.
PCCF has already begun convening local organizations and community leaders in brainstorming sessions to identify potential solutions to mental health and substance use needs. With the help of facilitators at CivicLab, a nonprofit out of Columbus, IN, PCCF has hosted two sessions with over 50 community members participating in small groups focused on access to care, advocacy, provider pipeline and basic needs. PCCF hopes to grow this collaborative work in 2025. More information on how to get involved in this work will be available later this spring.
“Collaboration within our community is vital for long-term success,” said Neysa Meyer, Executive Director. “These grants will provide the necessary support for organizations already doing incredible work while also fostering greater collaboration across sectors.”