MADE Asking for $35,000 Budget Increase
Several months ago the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition (MADE) learned it was losing its federal funding. It was a blow. The $125,000-a-year, five-year grant has allowed the coalition to establish itself and to grow. Now it must seek funding elsewhere. It has asked the town for $60,000 in the 2014-2015 budget, an increase of $35,000.
The request comes at the same time that MADE is releasing the results of its latest student survey, which provides information on the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs among students in grades 9 through 12. MADE has discussed the results with town boards and commissions.
In budget discussions with the Board of Selectmen in mid-January, Kathy Rossini, a member of the MADE board, reviewed some history. It was about 10 years ago when the Selectmen's Council on Youth Substance Abuse operated with a budget of $13,000 annually. With the cooperation of the Board of Education at that time, the council and the schools conducted the first comprehensive student survey. With the survey in hand, the town successfully applied for its first federal grant.
"The first grant and the others that followed allowed us to rebrand, to hire a fulltime coordinator, to provide needed training and to begin an education process in the Madison community," Rossini said. "There have been two major accomplishments. First, we have opened doors to conversations with parents, which is all-important, and second, we have formed an interdepartmental committee for strategic planning. We have seen such success, we do not want to go back to an all-volunteer structure."
The coalition has carefully reviewed its financing.
"We know we cannot ask for $200,000 from the town," Rossini said; instead, MADE is asking for $60,000. The coalition has cut its 2014-2015 budget. "We have reduced training, staff, equipment, supplies. We are committed to finding other sources of funding. We know we are making an impact and the increase from the town will enable us to support a coalition coordinator."
Catherine Barden, MADE coalition coordinator, said the town will reapply for the federal grant as well as seek opportunities for state grants. This year MADE received a one-time $75,000 grant from the Partnership for Success through the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. That grant ends June 30.
"We hope to apply for another state grant and we will keep our eyes open for more," Barden said.
Police Commander John Rich told the selectmen, "We have developed a valued partnership with MADE. We work closely with them. They provide us with information and training for our officers. They keep us updated on legislative changes. We work well together."
Police Chief Jack Drumm added, "On average, our department sees 7 to 10 cases a month where there are youth in crisis. Our department believes we serve families. In Madison we think families and youth in crisis doesn't happen here, but it does, and our department sees it. The MADE programs are a very valued part of this community in helping these families."