Friday, April 19, 2024
4/19/2024
Community Overview Wolcott is a quasi-rural/suburban town located in the northern part of New Haven County in the State of Connecticut and is approximately 20 square miles With five bodies of water, several hiking trails, small businesses, manufacturing companies and recreational areas, including a golf course and a youth sports complex, Wolcott is known for being a great place for families to thrive and has a long history of multi-generations. Wolcott has a population of just under 17,000 residents which includes 94.6% Caucasian/White, 1.4% Black, 1.5% Asian Pacific, 0.9% Native American and 1.6% identify as Other/Multi-Race. Overall, 6.5% of the population identify as Hispanic. The median age is 45 and the median household income is $87,045. Wolcott has a poverty rate of 5.2% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%, both of which are lower than State averages. In addition, Wolcott is governed by a Mayor/Town Council system and has a full-time local police department, 3 volunteer fire departments and a volunteer ambulance association. Nineteen percent of the population is between the ages of 5 and 17. The Wolcott Public School System consists of three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school with a graduation rate of 95%. Out of the 2,254 students in the district, 21.5% qualify for free or reduced lunch, which is also below the State average. Although Wolcott takes pride in being a small, close knit community, norms, perception of harm and availability contribute to youth substance abuse. Many adults in town still view substance use, specifically of alcohol and marijuana as ‘rites of passage’ and ‘normal teenage behavior’ and are accepted without consequences. The availability of prescription drugs and the perception that it is ‘only medication’ and it is ‘safe’ because it is prescribed by a medical professional continues to increase. Despite these challenges, a group of passionate community leaders have made great strides over the past five years with Drug Free Communities Support Program funding in reducing youth alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug misuse. In addition, CASA remains highly motivated to continue building the capacity of the Coalition and has seen success building and maintaining relationships with all 12 sectors of the community. CASA utilizes the Strategic Prevention Framework and 7 Strategies for Community Change to plan and implement evidence-based prevention strategies for the Town of Wolcott. CASA has had achievements in utilizing both frameworks, including but not limited to school policy change, reducing access of substances, community wide campaigns, and increasing enforcement efforts. As Wolcott moves forward and applies for the second round of funding, the community is eager to build on their successes to embrace comprehensive community assessment practices and the evidence-based approaches that will address the community’s root causes and prevent youth substance abuse.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
