|
|
Heroin task force offers mini grant program
Friday, November 20, 2009
By Josh Woods Staff Writer
DUBOIS - Clearfield-Jefferson Heroin Task Force Director Susan Ford announced a grant reward of $1,000 from Baltimore Life, Philipsburg, to begin its grassroots mini grant program.
Ford made the announcement at yesterday's CJHTF meeting, and asked the group to adopt guidelines for the program.
The grassroots mini grant program would award grant requests of up to $250 to area organizations that would help educate the public on drug use and ways to get help. A motion was made and approved for the task force to provide matching funds for all approved mini grant requests. CJHTF established seven guidelines for the program. The guidelines are as follows:
•Groups or organizations applying for a 2009-10 mini grant through Clearfield-Jefferson Heroin Task Force Inc. need not be a 501(c)3 nonprofit, however, they must produce assurance of their ability to duly execute the project and have financial capability of managing funds.
•The proposed project must address the issue of heroin use in the Clearfield and/or Jefferson County region.
•The proposed project must further the mission and goals of the Clearfield-Jefferson Heroin Task Force and Baltimore Life Companies.
•Maximum grant request may not exceed $250, but may be less based on need.
•The organization requesting funds may not be a 2009-10 grant recipient of Baltimore Life Companies.
•The following groups are not eligible for grant consideration: individuals, government agencies seeking funding for municipal services and religious organizations requesting funds for sectarian activities.
•The following activities are not eligible for grant consideration: deficit spending, fund raising, advertising, political campaigns, scholarship programs, trips, tours and sporting events/tournaments or paying wages.
Magisterial District Judge Patrick N. Ford reported on assessment surveys developed by the task force's outreach committee.
Ford said more than 400 surveys have been returned and figures would be developed for presentation by January. The survey asks respondents if they know where to get drug-addicted people help, if they have any ideas on how to get the word out about treatment to people who need help and if they would forward a text message from the Heroin Task Force to their list of contacts. It also asks how and where treatment information could be best distributed.
Ford said review of the completed surveys has shown a big difference in suggestions between younger and older respondents. Younger respondents have tended to suggest technology-based solutions, while older respondents have strayed away from technology. Pharmacies have been the number one recommended place to distribute information.
Susan Ford noted a focus group was held Monday in Punxsutawney to raise drug awareness. She said Punxsutawney has recently come to Clearfield-Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission's attention as a target area based on needs assessment data. Approximately 50 people attended the event that Ford called "phenomenal."
CJHTF's membership committee is currently working with area chambers of commerce to inform areas of what the task force is and does. Ford said she recently met with the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce, which was receptive to the task force and its ideals and objectives.
In other business, motions were approved to renew the task force's Talking Phone Book ad, to pay LaBue Printing to produce about 500 more task force brochures and to pay for an annual comprehensive review of financial records.
CJHTF's next meeting is Jan. 21 at noon at DuBois Area Middle School. There will not be a December meeting.
|  |
|
|
|
