About Community Connections...
CCI is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Established in 1991 by a dedicated group of service providers and families, Community Connections is the recognized Family Resource Network of Mercer County.
In 2005, CCI branched out to the southern West Virginia region to help combat tobacco use through the Regional Tobacco Prevention Grant from the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention.
In 2006, CCI started a statewide initiative to unite community coalitions through the CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) family. In addition, funding was in place to start a state Teen Court Association.
Community Connections is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which meets monthly. There are 15 Board Members. The Board make-up is as follows:
* The "heads" of the local Department of Health & Human Resources, the Mercer County Health Department, the Mercer County Board of Education, and Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center
* Three other Service Providers: the local Children's Home Society, CASE of WV (Community Action Agency) and the West Virginia University Extension Office (Mercer County office)
* Four community representatives (Guardian Ad Litem, Ministerial Association, etc)
* Four family representatives, who are consumers of public services
The Staff of Community Connections:
Executive Director:
Greg Puckett
Assistant Director:
Pat Valeyko
Programs Assistant:
Kelli Hendrick
Outreach and Evaluation Coordinator:
Jennifer Orren, CHES, PhD
Regional Tobacco Prevention Specialist
Donald Reed
Safe and Drug Free Communities Coordinator
Travis Helmondollar
Funding:
Community Connections is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, the WV Department of Education, the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, and the WV Governor's Office.
Many of CCI's projects and taskforces are funded by grants from local and state / public and private sources. Funders include: The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (CHIP Outreach); WV Office of Maternal & Child Health (Project Y.E.S. & Health Systems Development /Child Care); Bluefield Area Foundation (Opportunity Fair), and the National Children's Alliance (Child Protect).
Federal Grants received include: Early Learning Opportunities Program, funded by the Child Care Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, US DHHR; Drug Free Communities is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, US Department of Justice.
In addition, major projects such as Kiddie Fair are funded by charitable donations from the Mercer County community: hospitals, civic organizations, churches, and others.
Funding for the State Associations is provided by the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Mission
The mission of Community Connections is to establish a community- based network which facilitates the development and delivery of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary services through advocacy, community - coalition building, and the initial development of services.
