PCCF announces mental health, substance use request for info

In response to the 2023 Community Needs Assessment, the Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is launching a Request for Information (RFI) for entities addressing mental health and substance use in Putnam County.

This initiative aims to gather insights into active organizations, identify service gaps and enhance available resources.

The RFI invites submissions from diverse stakeholders, including nonprofits, community groups, academic institutions and healthcare providers. The collected information will inform PCCF’s work and special grant-making initiatives, including $250,000 in special grant awards to be announced later in 2024.

Mental health and substance use were identified as top issues in the 2023 Community Needs Assessment. Through the RFI, the foundation seeks to support initiatives and collaborators that can significantly improve these outcomes.

“Our team has spent significant time gathering data and connecting with community stakeholders to explore the challenges Putnam County faces related to mental health and substance use,” PCCF Executive Director Neysa Meyer said. “We’ve learned, more than anything, that we are not the experts. Through the RFI process, we want to understand further the entire landscape of mental health and substance use resources available in Putnam County.”

Ultimately, the information gathered through the RFI process will lead to an influx of funding. PCCF has committed to awarding $250,000 in special grant funds to entities working to address mental health and substance use in Putnam County.

“PCCF looks forward to learning more about the innovative approaches being taken to address mental health and substance use in our community,” PCCF Board President Marianne Savage said. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact and improve the well-being of our community members.”

The RFI submission form will open July 1. Organizations interested in participating in the RFI process are encouraged to visit pcfoundation.org/CommunityNeedsAssessment for detailed submission guidelines and deadlines.

For additional information about PCCF’s special RFI process or other opportunities at the Putnam County Community Foundation, contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at 653-4978.