$75,000 in Catalyst for Change Grants

by | Jul 2, 2025 | CFFC News

The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is awarding a total of $75,000 in Catalyst for Change Grants to two collaborative, county-wide projects. The Fayette County My Preparedness Initiative teaches high schoolers FEMA emergency preparedness, CPR, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed, and the program helps them explore public safety careers. The Fayette Integrated Care Team project will provide treatment for individuals with co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use. CFFC’s board of directors chose these two projects to address important community needs.

Proceeds from CFFC’s annual Gala of Giving fund the Catalyst for Change Grants, which are intended to make significant impact in Fayette County. These recent awards bring the grand total of Catalyst for Change Grants to $175,000.

Jennifer Deichert, 4-H Educator

The Fayette County My Preparedness Initiative is a collaboration among Fayette County 4-H, Penn State Fayette, Outreach and Continuing Education, Fayette County Firefighters Association, Inc., Fayette Business Education Partnership, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and more. The Catalyst for Change Grant will provide $44,000 towards the launch of this program in Connellsville Area High School and Laurel Highlands High School, with hopes to expand the program to other schools in the future.

“During these programs, youth participate in hands-on learning experiences designed to teach them how to plan and prepare for natural disasters, respond to medical emergencies with basic first aid and CPR, and connect with both professional and volunteer First Responders in their communities, creating pathways to future career and volunteer opportunities,” said Jennifer Deichert, 4-H Educator.

Kelly Harwood, Director of Outpatient and Crisis Services at Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.

The Fayette Integrated Care Team is a collaboration between Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. and Fayette County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. to provide new treatment opportunities for individuals with dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, related to mental health and substance abuse. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 9.2% of Fayette County adults experience co-occurring disorders compared to 8.4% in the United States. The $30,900 Catalyst for Change Grant will enable them to purchase tele-health equipment that is needed to start the program and provide accessible therapy, professional clinical supervision, and monthly consultations.

Last year’s Catalyst for Change Grant supported the Infant and Child Safety Program at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital, in collaboration with Head Start of Fayette County, providing convertible car seats and car seat training to patients who give birth at the hospital. The prior year’s award supported the launch of Main Street Theatre Company’s “ENCORE!”, a Fayette County high school musical showcase in collaboration with the State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust.

The next Gala of Giving event is scheduled for April 25, 2026 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. “Thank you to everyone who has supported the Gala of Giving the past four years. We look forward to raising more money for bigger and bolder grants that will impact the county,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.

Safety Initiative at Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services

Safety Initiative at Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services

by | Jun 19, 2019 | Building a Stronger Fayette

Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. operates New Directions, a year-round K-12 program that provides education and mental health treatment to children and adolescents. When Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. wanted to implement their Safety Initiative project, they applied for a CFFC grant in fall 2018 to support the safety, security, and health of clients, their families, and staff.

Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.’s mission is to “provide comprehensive behavioral health services in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner to promote wellness and improve the quality of life of the children, adults, and families of the tri-state area.”

New Directions provides a unique combination of specialized mental health treatment and comprehensive educational services. It is the only licensed partial hospitalization program in Fayette County as well as a Private Academic School servicing clients from Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland, Washington, and Somerset counties. The ultimate goal is for the clients to be able to successfully re-renter the traditional public school setting, be productive in their communities, and well-adjusted in their families.

Teacher Jenna Plocki spearheaded the New Directions Safety Initiative in light of recent national school tragedies. When seeking funding opportunities, she said they were drawn to the CFFC because it is community-based. An AED was purchased with the CFFC grant, as one of the updates to the New Directions safety and security procedures. “All staff members are trained to operate an AED, and now we have the equipment if an emergency situation would arise. I think everyone feels a bit more secure,” said Mrs. Plocki.

Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. CEO, Michael Quinn, said, “New Directions helps keep students in their community,” treating students in a school setting and helping prevent client need for services at psychiatric institutions. “The educational and clinical staff function as one unit,” said Mr. Quinn.

Mr. Quinn noted the importance of encouraging students to maintain attendance and find new opportunities to open up to staff members. New Directions Program Manager, Michelle DeMoss, said the STEM classroom and workroom, Makerspace room, and other personalized activities encourage students to show up, participate, and engage with students and staff. Teachers, therapists, nurses, and psychiatrists provide a variety of services to New Directions individuals, groups, families, and parents. Visit the Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc. website to learn more about New Directions and many other services!