Commission to add Prevention grant to budget

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commission will meet Tuesday to hear regular department reports and hold a budget hearing to add a Prevention Management grant to the annual operating budget.

The $218,000, two-year grant, obtained through the office of Prevention Management, will go toward funding suicide prevention and substance abuse education in the county.

Previously, the county was one of three state recipients of a national Drug–Free Communities Support Program grant, awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The $125,000 grant will support the efforts of the Washakie Prevention Coalition in preventing and reducing youth substance use in Washakie County. The county will also be able to apply for continuation funding over the next four years, for a total award amount of $625,000 over five years.

The two grants will be used to train personnel and youth leaders, create programs for the local schools, and increase substance abuse and suicide awareness within the community.

Also on the agenda, the commission will review a software package developed by Diligent Software that streamlines communication and meeting planning for government entities.

The county commission meets at 9 a.m. at the county courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.