About CNVRAC
At the Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Action Council (CNVRAC), we work collaboratively with dedicated volunteers and community partners from across our 12 town service area in order to conduct and build capacity to deliver state of the art prevention strategies that are tailored to local-level needs.
Explore the many areas of our website, where you can find contact information for your Local Prevention Council (LPC) or a youth group that may be developing in your area; resources to address substance abuse, and/or referrals for services; upcoming trainings, presentations, and meetings; information about our many funders and special projects; or town by town data and relevant news articles.
It is our hope that this website presents something for everyone who is interested in substance abuse prevention and supportive of health & wellness promotion for people ages 0-100 across the Central Naugatuck Valley.
With the insight and direction of key community stakeholders from our service area (Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury), our hope is to service the needs of our communities through education, mobilization, awareness raising and advocacy efforts.
Regional Action Councils in Connecticut
Overview
CNVRAC is one of 13 Regional Action Councils (RACs) serving Connecticut. The concept of Regional Action Councils (RACs) was established in 1985 and formalized in 1989 by the passing of Section 17a-671 by the CT General Assembly.
Approximately half of the State’s Regional Action Councils are 501 C3 Federal Tax Exempt Private Non-Profit Organizations which allows them to receive contributions and foundation funding, as well as state and federal grants. Other Regional Action Councils operate under fiduciary governance, but may also be directed by a Steering Committee – an organized group of key community stakeholders representing the service area of that particular Regional Action Council and the 12 sectors of an effective community coalition.
-back to top-Structure
Regional Action Councils are public-private partnerships drawing their membership from representatives of a cross section of constituencies in their regions as outlined by the state statue. Chief elected officials, chiefs of police, superintendents of schools, business and professional leaders, legislators, substance abuse providers, religious organizations, representatives of minority populations, private funding organizations, community representatives and the media are included in the authorizing legislation. Many Regional Action Councils have added other constituent representatives such as youth, youth serving organizations, health directors, parents and recovering individuals.
-back to top-Funding
Sources of funding include state grants, federal grants, municipalities, private contributions and other contracts.
-back to top-Advocacy
Regional Action Councils advocate for substance abuse treatment and prevention at the state, regional, and local level. Regional Action Councils advocate for effective public policies and organize and mobilize communities around substance abuse issues. One of the strengths of Regional Action Councils is the diverse constituency represented in their membership.
-back to top-Programs
Regional Action Councils are contracted to do prevention program and planning under their Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services contracts. In addition, Regional Action Councils seek funding to deliver other programs to meet the gaps in services and needs of their regions. One example of their contracted obligations is to sub-contract funds to all 169 cities and towns where there are local prevention councils (LPCs) and provide them with technical assistance, oversight, support, guidance, and coaching on developing local programming.
-back to top-