TOOLLAND — Officials say the Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Task Force has done its job, but concerns about the health of town residents will not go unnoticed. That’s because the town’s Department of Human Services will now work to put the task force’s recommendations into effect.
The task force, which first met in March 2021, was tasked with forming a multidisciplinary team to assess the town and community’s response and resources available to address mental health and substance abuse issues. It was also directed to make recommendations to the town council based on its assessment.
“The task force accomplished its mission,” Task Force Secretary Jacob Marie said this week. “The Town Council will work through the Department of Human Services to achieve these goals.”
Mary said a highlight of the task force was a survey conducted with residents in late 2022, which found that depression and anxiety were prominent issues in the town.
But Mary said the group’s main accomplishment was the recommendation to hire a prevention specialist who would work with the town to provide informational interventions, identify gaps in services and provide case management for individuals with substance abuse or mental issues.
The specialist will be contracted through the regional Hokanum Valley Community Council, he said.
“I have the highest respect for their supervisors,” Tolland Public Services Director Beverly Bellody said of Hokanum Valley. “They have counselors, treatment models, therapists, wraparound services for mental health and substance abuse.”
“The Department of Human Services is small, so they could use additional assistance,” Mary said.
Bellodi said she has a staff of seven as well as volunteers who help residents apply for SNAP and Medicaid benefits. The department also operates a food pantry and a housing rehabilitation program.
She said she doesn’t think the additional duties will be an issue because the department has been working with the task force since its inception and the staff is dedicated.
“We are the staff liaison to the task force,” Belody said. “We’ve been doing a lot; we do everything we can to help the community. The employees have a strong work ethic.”
Bellodi said a prevention specialist could be hired as early as December, and interviews will be held next month to hire a new assistant director for the Bureau of Youth Services.
Mary said the task force also recommended the need for more community engagement, particularly in efforts to find a way for children to feel less isolated after the pandemic.
“Have face-to-face contact,” Mary said. “After COVID, this is important.”
Belody said her department is developing programs for young people in the school system. The summer theater program just completed its 24th year and is a great example of keeping kids busy.
The department also received a $246 budget increase from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, for a total of $4,153, to address vaping.
Bellodi said the department is hosting a workshop called “Hiding in Plain Sight” to teach parents how to identify drug paraphernalia in teens’ rooms and develop anti-vaping campaigns and prevention programs.
Mary said the move to the Department of Human Services was a move he and other members of the task force supported.
“It’s time to let the body dissolve on its own and take it to town,” Mary said. “I feel like it’s appropriate. We’re working through the issues based on the recommendations of the task force. I feel good about the future.”